Campaigns

Work Matters – seeing the potential of workers with sight loss

Summary: Our Work Matters Campaign highlights that blind and partially sighted people can obtain and retain paid employment

• About this campaign
• In the UK today
• Blind and partially sighted people can work
• Stop discrimination in employment
• Support the campaign
• Media Information

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Did you know that blind and partially sighted people work in a wide variety of jobs including Stone Mason, Lawyer, Chef, Futures Trader, Computer Programmer, Script Reader, Small Business Manager and Security Guard?

Support our campaign - add your name to our Charter today!

About this campaign

This campaign will:

• urge employers to take account of the needs of blind and partially sighted people in the recruitment process by ensuring that advertisements, application forms and interviews are accessible
• call on government to take action to support employers and people with sight problems more effectively.
• show employers and service providers that they must recognise and harness the abilities of blind and partially sighted people, making use of the practical and financial support available to them.

See beyond the stereotypes to recruit and retain more blind and partially sighted people!

In the UK today

• Three out of four blind and partially sighted people of working age are not in work.
• Nine out of 10 employers say that it would be difficult or impossible to employ someone with sight problems.
• Discrimination is preventing blind and partially sighted people getting into work.

Blind and partially sighted people can work

• Blind and partially sighted people can do a wide variety of jobs.
• Technology can enable blind and partially sighted people to do the same jobs as sighted people.
• The Access to Work scheme can ensure that someone with a sight problem gets the equipment and support they need to do a job.

Stop discrimination in employment

• RNIB is calling on the Government to promote Access to Work more effectively to employers and to increase the budget when the Disability Discrimination Act is extended to all companies October 2004.
• Making ‘reasonable adjustments’ to enable blind and partially sighted people to work in your organisation doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult.
• Employers need to assess their whole recruitment process to ensure blind and partially sighted people are being given the same opportunities as sighted peers.

Support the campaign

Get involved:

• Our Work Matters DVD highlights the experiences of employers and people with sight problems.
• Read the campaign report ‘Beyond the Stereotypes’
  Download the Campaign Report (Word 88.5 KB)
  Download the Campaign Report (Text 55.7 KB)

If you wish to purchase Beyond the stereotypes: Blind and partially sighted people and work (Campaign Report 22), it is available from Customer Services on 0845 702 3153 for £5.00.

Further information for employers

Find out about:

• Disability Discrimination Act – information for employers
• Job retention
• Recruitment of people with sight problems
• Access to Work

Media Information

Are you a journalist interested in our campaign? Read the Campaign Press Release or contact our Press Office.

Content author: employmentline@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 20/11/2008 11:13