My impression is that this procedure has not been publicised in either the DWP or ATOS, let alone amongst claimants.
Gordon
I loved the idea that claimants only found out that there had been a change in general policy at the DWP because of a FoI request. Still, matters are due to change - the DWP is keeping claimants up to date. Another MP pressed Grayling on this matter, and he admitted:
A process guide is currently being agreed by Atos Healthcare and DWP to improve claimant awareness of the steps they should take if they wish to request audio recording of their WCA.
Perhaps the notion is that this "process guide" should be published by (say) October. That way there is no chance that anyone will be able to read it in time for that to affect any appointments in 2012.
(BTW I normally try to provide the source for these quotations, but on this occasion I downloaded the pdf of the written HoC answer to Chris Ruane MP (dated 28/2/2012) without noting its source, and Google isn't helping enough.)
Then, as Mrs Hurtyback says, they will claim that no-one wants it, "despite the best efforts of ATOS and the DWP to make them aware."
After all, following the Newcastle trial, Chris Grayling said that "only a small minority" of claimants wanted this recording. The figures showed that 47% of claimants had requested the recording, which is admittedly a minority, but hardly a small one. Evidence of shameless misrepresentation - "only a minority" would have been "spin" - by the DWP and a warning of things to come.
Look for similar spin after the 2012 "experiment".
Perhaps if B&W members frequent other forums used by disabled people they could 'spread the word' and encourage more people to take up the offer to have their medicals recorded.
Hopefully that may change 'only a minority' to a sizeable majority.
