Action for Blind People Visage A Development Partnership led by Action for Blind People supporting blind and partially sighted people into employment Partnership Innovation Equal Opportunities Empowerment Transnational Developing Potential Sharing Success Quality Recognising Ability Working to Strengths Opportunity Page 2 What is Visage? VISAGE is a Development Partnership (DP), led by Action for Blind People, set up to facilitate a smooth transition for visually impaired job seekers from traditional supported employment to mainstream employment. This will be achieved by :- · developing a series of innovative actions designed to remove barriers · developing models of good practice for mainstreaming · challenge existing policies and legislation · working with Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) employment programmes · actively involving service users in the development of these initiatives · working with employers to design new relevant work groups that encourage the development of transferable work skills · engaging with European partners to share best practices and explore solutions · disseminating the successes and promote these solutions as widely as possible. To achieve these aims, it is essential that we develop partnerships with key influencers in all the relevant fields. · Policy makers · Opinion Formers · Delivery Organisations · Practitioners · Employers · Employer and Employee Organisations · Local and National Government · Other Development Partnerships. Page 3 The Visage project is funded by the European Social Fund and forms part of the Equal initiative which tests and promotes new means of combating all forms of discrimination and inequalities in the labour market, both for those in work and for those seeking work, through transnational cooperation. The Equal initiative encourages participation and transnational co-operation through partnership building across five priority areas which are closely focussed on key issues of concern in Britain. It will, over time, develop good practice that can enhance the delivery of mainstream UK and Structural Fund activity. There are 84 Development Partnerships (DP) addressing various thematic fields across Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Visage DP brings together eight UK based partners and a number of transnational partners to make a real difference to blind and partially sighted people living right across the European Union. Equal operates in stages called Actions 1, 2 and 3. Action 1 is the first stage lasting up to six months during which Development Partnerships prepare their programme of activities. Action 2 covers the main implementation activities of work programmes approved at the end of Action 1. Action 3 covers the thematic networking and dissemination of good practice and impact on national policies. Page 4 Investigating national and international policies The Visage Development Partnership is working with visual impairment organisations in Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia. A series of trans-national conferences and workshops will take place aiming to highlight good practice and investigate possible areas of harmonisation. Developing a partnership to research and develop good practice It is conducting research to find out the following: · Employers: their views on barriers to employing visually impaired people · Beneficiaries: self-perceptions/anxieties when blind or partially sighted people seek work or are in danger of losing it · Existing models: what models of supported employment work well and why?; what good practice exists?; how can we learn from this? Develop initiatives to provide employment for blind and partially sighted people Micro businesses The Visage Development Partnership is establishing a range of commercially viable micro businesses that will directly employ blind and partially sighted people, giving them first hand knowledge and real experience in establishing and running a successful business. The DP will provide support, both financial and practical but the aim is to produce businesses that are commercially viable and hopefully sustainable. Visage will look to float off the new businesses as independent ventures. In the first instance these will be offered to the Business Team Leaders who may choose to continue to run the business or to seek work elsewhere with support of Action’s London Employment Development Team. Page 5 Develop toolkits for employers and beneficiaries The Visage Development Partnership aims to integrate and consolidate information into toolkits for: · Employers: o Details of support available o Useful organisations o Visual Awareness · Beneficiaries: o Confidence building o Coping mechanisms at work o Self assertion o CV building Developing traineeship schemes Traineeships are also being provided by two of the partners offering supported paid work experience to blind and partially sighted people across a range of organisational settings. Job opportunities could range from trainee accountant to trainee employment officer and as in one real life example, trainee chef. Page 6 Action for Blind People is a dynamic national charity founded in 1857. For more information please contact: Andy Taylor Action for Blind People 14 - 16 Verney Road London SE16 3DZ www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk www.equal.ecotec.co.uk Tel: 020 7635 3013 National Freephone Helpline: 0800 915 4666 Fax: 020 7635 4900 Email: andy.taylor@actionforblindpeople.org.uk VISAGE Partners Action for Blind People Tel: 020 7635 4800 Website: www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities Tel: 020 7448 5425 Website: www.opportunities.org.uk Inspire Community Trust Tel: 01322 341 638 Kent Association for the Blind Tel: 01622 691357 Website: www.kab.org.uk Kent County Council, Kent Supported Employment Tel: 01474 328 664 Website: www.kent.gov.uk/kse Newco Products, London Borough of Newham Tel: 020 8534 1497 Website: www.newco@newham.gov.uk Prevista Ltd Tel: 020 7609 4198 Website: www.prevista.co.uk RNIB - Royal National Institute of the Blind Tel: 0121 665 4200 Website: www.rnib.org.uk