Staying in your job
Many people choose to give up their jobs as soon as they start to lose their sight. Sometimes they are forced to leave as employers mistakenly believe that they are not fit to carry on. 74 percent of employers don’t know that with minimal adjustments and financial support from the government’s Access to Work Scheme, someone who is losing their sight can remain a part of the workforce. Our aim is to inspire a culture of change with mainstream employers.
Talking to your employer
Action's employment teams work with employees and employers to ensure that both parties receive the advice and support they need, so that employees retain their jobs while employers retain skilled and experienced staff.
Financial Support
Through schemes such as Access to Work. Employers seeking to recruit a blind or partially sighted employee, or retain an employee, who has lost their sight, may qualify for financial assistance under the various schemes run by Job Centre Plus.
Access to work
Access to Work is a scheme run by Jobcentre Plus. The scheme provides advice and practical support for disabled people in, or about to start work. It can also provide assistance to employers who would like to employ someone with a disability.
Visual Awareness Training
Helps you and your employees to understand how best to support visually impaired colleagues.There are two million blind and partially sighted people across the UK; businesses that ignore visually impaired customers are missing out. Whatever the type of business, visually impaired people will want to access the service, and how staff respond to their needs determines how likely they are to use the service again.
Assistive Technology
Large screen monitors, screen magnification systems such as Lunar or Zoomtext, CCTV, electronic braille display, braille keyboards and embossers, (a braille printer). Assistive technology has enabled blind and partially sighted people to access jobs in the sectors where the use of information and communication technologies feature significantly.
Speak to someone
If you need advice and would like to speak with someone regarding employment then please contact your local Action team and they will put you in touch with someone who can help. You can also contact us through the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 and ask to be referred to your local Action team.
