Claire's story

Claire, from Greater Manchester, contacted Action for employment advice after she became unemployed shortly after being registered blind.

"I was born with hearing loss and at 23 I was diagnosed with Usher Syndrome (Retinitis Pigmentosa) which led to me also losing my sight. During my teenage years I was aware there was something wrong with my sight but was not able to put my finger on it. I was increasingly clumsy, walking into things and forever tripping up.

Every single daily activity is impacted by my sight and hearing loss. It also really restricts my social life and makes it hard to meet people.

Because my confidence suffered, my employment prospects were also affected. I felt that I would be letting employers down because there were everyday activities, such as answering the phone and getting to work, that I would struggle with. It became difficult looking for jobs because I couldn’t travel to unfamiliar places, or cope with busy pedestrian areas. Life was stressful, a battlefield to have to get through everyday.
I felt very frustrated because I am well qualified and wanted a career in my chosen field, but the practicalities of it, and getting an employer to take a chance on me, were very difficult.

I wasn’t registered blind until I was 31 years old. An assessment officer from the local blind society visited me at home and explained the services I could receive. When I became unemployed shortly after I was registered blind the Disability Employment Advisor at the local Jobcentre Plus told me about Action for Blind People team in Manchester.
Action changed my life enormously. When I met Jenny from Action for Blind People’s office in Manchester, my confidence was really low. Everything seemed very difficult. I had been struggling on my own for a long time and I found barriers everywhere.

Jenny came to my house which was immediately helpful and we drafted a personal development plan together. This plan was targeted specifically to help me secure the kind of job I wanted. It involved specialist job searches, and assistance with filling in application forms and practising interview techniques.

When I found a job Jenny engaged both Access to Work and Workstep (Jobcentre Plus schemes that provide support to disabled people to enable them to find and retain employment). Jenny supported me in my new role and found the appropriate technology that would assist me. Jenny also advised me of support such as taxi’s to travel to or within work, and note-takers at conferences, which would be a vital part of my new role.

Jenny also arranged for specific training courses which would help me in my new job and has continued to provide excellent one to one support.

I’m now a fundraising coordinator, the assistance I received from Jenny made me feel confident that I could do the job I wanted to apply for and that I could overcome any of the practical obstacles in my way. I also feel that if I have any problems in my work life, I have a team that I can turn to who can help me. I don’t feel alone anymore.

Action for Blind People’s Welfare Rights Team have also helped me secure the benefits that I am entitled to, and this has given me more freedom to be independent. The brick wall that I was banging my head against has crumbled away thanks to the people who work at Action."