This IS working in EnglandHow people with sight loss participate successfully in the world of work

Contents Introduction 3

Julie Carville, The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust 4

Kurt Mackin, Newcastle United Foundation 5

Margaret Cutter, East Durham Homes 6

Simon Richards, Jacksons Financial Services 7

Sue Gladwish, Gateway Family Services 8

Jeanette Brenkley, Traidcraft 9

Jason Sheppard, ASDA stores Ltd 10

Positive information for employers 11

Jobcentre Plus 12

Action for Blind People’s Employment Services 13

Support available from Action for Blind People and RNIB 14

This IS working in England 3

Introduction

67 = The percentage of blind and partially sighted people of working age who are unemployed in England.

92 = The percentage of UK employers who believe that it is either “difficult” or “impossible” to employ someone with impaired vision. (Finding from a survey of 2,000 employers by the Department for Work and Pensions, published in “Report, Number 202”.)

This IS working in England tells the stories of a range of blind or partially sighted people who are succeeding and developing in exciting careers. Their stories prove how people with sight loss contribute to the workplace in a variety of challenging occupations. This is supported through the strong testimonies of the employers involved. It’s about seeing the capabilities of people with sight loss, not focussing on the disability.

Carri Walker, a sales and marketing manager says: “You are employing a human being with skills, abilities and knowledge and not just a pair of eyes.”

However, the unemployment rate among people with sight loss in England remains too high.

“At 67 per cent, unemployment amongst blind and partially sighted people still far exceeds the unemployment rate of people with other disabilities, and is an outrageous seven times greater than the figure for the general population,” says David Newbold, Head of Operations (London and SE), Action for Blind People.

This IS working in England shows how the challenges of sight loss are being overcome in the workplace by some exceptional people and some enlightened employers. It explains how employers can play their part in providing equal opportunities in the job market and describes the resources and support available from Action for Blind People, Jobcentre Plus and elsewhere.

Action for Blind People has awarded some forward thinking employers, where innovation and good practice has allowed people with sight loss to gain and retain jobs, and to make a major contribution to the companies they work for.

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Julie Carville, The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS TrustJulie had worked as a cardiology nurse at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital for 15 years, but feared for her future when diagnosed with the eye condition Stargardt’s disease in 2003.

She explains: “I wondered if I’d be able to keep working, and even if I could, would the trust shuffle me into a corner because they didn’t think I’d be capable of continuing in a frontline role? It was a real fear of the unknown – a terrible sense of uncertainly and a constant feeling of vulnerability.

What actually happened was the reverse, a wonderfully positive response, giving me extra responsibilities in a key administrative position. They worked closely with Action for Blind People’s Employment Coordinator Gail. She assessed my needs, made recommendations to the trust and provided guidance on funding, so that assistive technology could be purchased.

My eye condition prevents me staring at a computer screen for more than a few seconds, so the new equipment would have to address this problem. The gadgets they’ve given me are incredible. They include a talking computer, equipped with Supernova software. It also allows me to change the background colour on the screen, so I can focus on it for longer. There’s a device that allows me to magnify and photograph documents; this means I can read reports and other paperwork. And I’ve even got a part-time support worker to provide extra help when needed.

Using public transport is extremely difficult with sight loss, but thanks to Action for Blind People, I’m now able to travel to the hospital by taxi, funded by the Access to Work scheme.

All this support has boosted my confidence and shown that sight loss shouldn’t be a barrier to work. I can contribute just as much as my sighted colleagues, thanks to the hospital’s innovation and support. They’ve recognised my capabilities, not focused on the sight loss.”

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Kurt Mackin, Newcastle United Foundation The Newcastle United Foundation has helped make Kurt’s dream of becoming a football coach come true by appointing him as head coach of their five-a-side visually impaired team.

Kurt, who has been employed by the Club since January 2011, has tunnel vision, which means he does not have a normal, wide-angle field of vision and can only see straight ahead. Because of this, he has his own sighted assistant, who helps him on the pitch while he is coaching.

The Club’s Foundation provided training and support to give him the confidence to coach their visually impaired team. Even after undergoing knee surgery, the Newcastle United Foundation continued offering support and encouragement to ensure Kurt was able to return to his coaching role.

Kurt says: “The support I get from Newcastle United Foundation is incredible. I have always loved football and I’m a dedicated Magpies fan. It’s always been my dream to be a football coach, but with sight loss, I felt my opportunities would be limited. So to get this opportunity from the Club I love has been amazing. They’ve demonstrated that, at Newcastle United Foundation, sight loss will never be a barrier to people enjoying the ‘beautiful game’. I can’t thank them enough.”

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Margaret Cutter, East Durham HomesMargaret’s sight loss was completely unexpected and happened very quickly following a blood haemorrhage in both eyes. Emergency laser surgery stopped the bleeding, but the damage was already done and she is now registered blind.

“The bottom dropped out of my world,” explains Margaret, who was working as a receptionist at East Durham Homes. “I could no longer see the people in front of me. I could make out outlines, but no detail; my confidence sapped away overnight. My career and the life I took for granted were surely over.”

East Durham Homes was very supportive. Working with Action for Blind People, they introduced assistive technology, provided training and secured Access to Work funding.

Margaret’s life has been transformed. Thanks to the forward thinking attitude of East Durham Homes, she is able to keep working, now as an administrator, and is equipped to overcome the barriers imposed by limited vision. A screen magnifier increases the size of print on her computer, whilst ‘talking’ software reads the content on the screen. She also has a portable magnifier, allowing her to see what’s around her, from the telephone to paperwork and files.

Margaret says: “The wonderful gadgets, recognition of my capabilities by East Durham Homes, and my own determination not to be defeated by sight loss; they’ve all combined to put my life back on track. Today’s technology really can compensate for sight loss.”

“East Durham Homes demonstrated real commitment which deserves to be acknowledged,” said Action for Blind People’s Regional Operations Manager, Sharon Meadows.

This IS working in England 7

Simon Richards, Jacksons Financial ServicesIn 2011, a Penzance resident presented his employer, Jacksons Financial Services, with Action’s “See the Capability, Not the Disability” Award, recognising Jacksons Financial Services good practice in employing a visually impaired person.

One of their employees, Simon Richards, has benefited from the company’s commitment to create an environment that allows people with sight loss to perform to their full potential.

Simon had worked for Jacksons Financial Services as a system manager for 14 years when his eye condition, glaucoma, worsened significantly in 2009. The diagnosis of his deteriorating vision was devastating – detailed computer work meant that he would be unable to continue working without adjustments and support.

Jacksons Financial Services was determined to make the necessary changes, so that Simon could return to the company. Action for Blind People helped to ensure that Simon’s computer was modified with special ‘talking’ software, an adjustment allowing Simon to continue successfully in his role.

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Sue Gladwish, Gateway Family ServicesGateway Family Services is a social enterprise in Edgbaston, Birmingham, specialising in reducing inequality through training, employment and community health services.

After giving Sue Gladwish, who was registered as partially sighted, a six-month paid work placement, they have now offered her employment, helping to transform her confidence and self-belief.

Sue is the administrator for Gateway’s Lighten Up Service. She said: “Gateway Family Services has recognised my capability, not the disability of sight loss. Their support has boosted my self-esteem, showing that being visually impaired shouldn’t be a barrier to work. I can contribute just as much as my sighted colleagues, thanks to the company’s innovation and support.”

Kerry Chase, from Action for Blind People’s Social Enterprise Employment Development (SEED) team, said: “At Action, we help employers to understand that someone with sight loss is just as capable in the workplace as sighted counterparts. In fact, as Gateway Family Services has discovered, because visually impaired people are so determined to prove themselves, they are often the most loyal and committed members of the team. We’re extremely grateful to the company for their forward-thinking attitude.”

This IS working in England 9

Jeanette Brenkley, TraidcraftJeanette works at Traidcraft, the UK’s leading fair trade organisation, as a member of their customer services team. Jeanette has the eye conditions glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. When her sight began to deteriorate further, Traidcraft stepped up its support, working closely with Action for Blind People to ensure that equipment and information was adapted, so that it remained accessible.

Traidcraft has provided Jeanette with a range of equipment, including a large screen computer; a CCTV – which allows her to magnify and read documents – and software to change the font-size and background colours of information on her screen. Jeanette said: “Traidcraft has been wonderful. For them, it’s always about my capabilities.”

Action for Blind People’s Regional Employment Coordinator, Deb Jamieson, explains: “Nothing has been too much or too little for Traidcraft; I’ve worked closely with Jeanette, helping her adapt to increasing sight loss and to the resulting workplace challenges. I’m delighted that with Traidcraft’s support, we’ve recently enrolled Jeanette on a touch-typing course, giving her an additional skill which isn’t reliant on an ability to see the keyboard. She’s even got access to the staff noticeboard. Her forward-thinking employer makes sure that when anything new is pinned up, Jeanette is emailed details in her preferred format, at the same time.”

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Jason Sheppard, ASDA stores LtdJason Sheppard, who has worked at Asda’s distribution centre at Portbury near Bristol as a quality assurance inspector for eight years, has the eye condition congenital nystagmus.

While he has always found his employer very supportive, when sight loss began to make it increasingly difficult for Jason to perform his duties, Asda worked with him to secure government Access to Work funding, allowing equipment and information to be adapted, so it remained accessible despite his visual impairment.

Asda has helped fund a large screen CCTV, a hand held electronic magnifier, large screen PC monitors and magnification software to enable him to fulfil his potential. As a result of this, he has become one of the top quality assurance inspectors in the country. Last year Asda recognised Jason with an ABCD award (above and beyond the call of duty); presented at its “Big Brunch” ceremony at the head office in Leeds.

Another situation where Asda proved their commitment to Jason was when he became a guide dog owner. Since his four-legged friend, Yates, arrived, Asda has ensured colleagues are briefed not to stroke or distract the working dog. Jason was allowed time off to train with his guide dog, a spending area has been provided, and Yates has even been made an official member of the team, receiving his own name badge!

Action for Blind People’s Area Operations Manager for Bristol says: “Asda has been wonderful. For them, there’s never been a moment when they’ve lost faith in his ability to do the job.”

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Positive information for employersAction for Blind People’s Employment Service supports:

• blind and partially sighted job seekers • people trying to keep their jobs when losing their sight • employers • organisations involved in training, guidance and employment services.

Many of the barriers to employment that are encountered by blind and partially sighted people need not be there. For example:

• jobs should be advertised on accessible websites as well as in newspapers • a driving licence isn’t essential for many jobs. Even when travel is involved,

Access to Work and other options may be available• recruitment details can be supplied electronically or in large print• clear directions for attending an interview and an explanation of what will

be involved are courtesies appreciated by all applicants: sighted and visually impaired alike

• Action for Blind People and RNIB can provide visual awareness training for HR teams and other staff, which improves relationships within organisations and with customers and service users.

Action for Blind People helps employers to recruit blind and partially sighted people through our training and consultancy services. We provide information on:

• the reality of sight loss – facts and myths about blindness• employers’ responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act –

many employers are unaware that the Act covers their recruitment and retention practices

• guidelines on recruitment and selection• using psychometric tests in recruitment• the Access to Work scheme – this is one of the most effective interventions that

can help blind and partially sighted people in work; the provision of specialist equipment and other support is government funded

• job retention: enabling employers to retain the expertise and experience of an employee who is losing their sight

• access technology – our technology specialists offer advice through individual or group training on a wide range of technologies, including video magnifiers, screen magnification, JAWS and other speech generating software, braille technology and web accessibility.

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Jobcentre PlusJobcentre Plus, part of the Department for Work and Pensions, brings together employment and benefit services for people of working age and is a key element in the Government’s objectives to help people based on the concept of “Work for those who can, support for those who cannot”. It provides a professional and modern service to meet the diverse needs of employers and those seeking work, including:

• personal advisers to provide practical support and advice, including training provision and benefits guidance, to help those in need find and keep work

• a dedicated service to support employers in filling their vacancies quickly and successfully, including the ability to place jobs online

• ability to search for jobs both online and over the phone through Jobpoints in Jobcentre Plus offices, the Jobseeker Direct phone line and through the website

• swift, secure and professional access to benefits for those entitled to them.

Customers can access Jobcentre Plus services through 1,000 locations across Britain, including over 800 newly refurbished Jobcentre Plus offices. Touch-screen terminals and Customer Access Phones are also available in a further 120 sites, such as libraries and local authority premises.

Jobcentre Plus works with over 275,000 employers to place 17,000 people into work every week. Over 400,000 vacancies are listed each week on its website and more than four million job search requests are received, making it the number one UK recruitment website.

For further information on the services that Jobcentre Plus provides employers and people of working age visit jobcentreplus.gov.uk

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Action for Blind People’s Employment ServicesOur employment service provides specialist support and advice to help blind and partially sighted people find employment, start their own business or stay in their jobs if they are losing their sight.

Our service includes:

• job retention support following sight loss• guidance on making the most of your skills• advice for developing new skills valued by employers• information on Access to Work – financial support whilst in work• information on support for travelling to work• information on support available in the workplace.

Support for employersAction for Blind People helps employers support the recruitment of more blind and partially sighted people through the services we offer throughout England. We provide information and advice on a variety of topics including the reality of sight loss – facts and myths about blindness, guidelines on recruitment and selection, the Access to Work scheme, and access technology.

We also offer a range of training courses, aimed at raising positive awareness of issues faced by blind and partially sighted employees. We customise our training packages to suit the requirements of organisations, with subjects such as visual awareness, good practice in recruitment and selection, using access technology, and legislative requirements.

To find out more, contact Action for Blind People and speak to our team of employment experts:Phone: 0800 440 2255 Email: employmentline@actionforblindpeople.org.uk Website: www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk

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Support available from Action for Blind People and RNIBIf you, someone you know, or someone you support has a sight problem Action for Blind People and RNIB can help. Our Helpline is your direct line to the support, advice and products you need to remain independent.

We’re here to:

• give you free information about your eye condition and available treatments• direct you to the people, services and organisations there to help, both locally

and nationally, including voluntary groups and support from social services• let you know about any financial benefits and discounts that you could be

entitled to• recommend everyday products that can help make life easier, available from

Action for Blind People’s resource centres and RNIB• suggest ways you can continue to enjoy your hobbies and leisure time• help you join and use our library service of over 40,000 titles in braille, Moon,

giant print and audio• let you know about employment, training and education opportunities • advise on housing options, whether staying in your own home or moving

elsewhere• provide access to emotional support and counselling services• or simply to offer a listening ear.

Our specialist advice workers will spend time with you over the phone, making sure the support they give is right for you. We’ll aim to call you back a few weeks later to find out how you’re getting on and what else we can do to help.

RNIB Helpline Phone: 0303 123 9999 Email: helpline@rnib.org.uk

We are ready to answer your call Monday to Friday 8.45am to 5.30pm. Outside these times leave us a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

About RNIB and Action for Blind People RNIB works with Action for Blind People to draw on a wide range of skills and resources to support blind and partially sighted people. Our close relationship enables us to provide a unique combination of complementary strengths and expertise to support an ever increasing number of blind and partially sighted people.

© RNIB December 2012. Registered charity number 226227. Action for Blind People. Registered charity number 205913 (England and Wales) SC040050 (Scotland).

The production of this booklet was supported by Standard Life.