Disabled woman wins 'retire' case

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 12th May 2008

A County Antrim woman disabled in an accident has been awarded compensation after her employers refused to let her return to work.

Alison Austin, 47, from Whitehead, sustained serious spinal injuries while on holiday in France three years ago. After 18 months rehabilitation, she was told by the Social Security Agency they were retiring her on medical grounds.

The agency admitted liability, paid her £18,940 in an out-of-court settlement, and said she can return to work. It expressed its regret for the distress, upset and injury to Ms Austin's feelings. The agency also agreed to make physical adjustments to its premises to allow Ms Austin to return to work and fully restored her pay, annual leave and pension arrangements.

She has now been able to return to work at the agency's offices at Royal Avenue in Belfast. "I really appreciate the great support I have had from my immediate colleagues, and the assistance I received from the Equality Commission," she said. "It has been a difficult and stressful time but I am really happy to be back at work. I am particularly pleased that this case has highlighted, and hopefully will improve the proper steps to be taken towards accommodating disabled people in the workplace."