Employment

Whether it's finding a job or holding onto one following sight loss, our employment teams provide support and advice to you and your employer.

Help in preparing for and finding a job
Many people who come to Action for Blind People to help them find work have been out of the employment market for some time and some have never had a job. So, preparing blind and partially sighted people for the world of work can take some time. Much of the ground work involves confidence building and the development of new skills.

Action for Blind People works on a one to one basis to prepare visually impaired people at a pace that they are comfortable with and to suit their particular needs.

Our employment advisers provide a range of assessment, development and work experience opportunities to prepare visually impaired people for entry into employment.

What does Action for Blind People Provide?

• Practical and personal help with looking for a job and work experience

• Advice and guidance on making the most of your skills

• The opportunity to develop new skills that employers value, through the Workstep programme

• Job searching techniques

• Confidence building and interview techniques

• Organising work placements

• Supported employment

• Self employment advice

• Information on Access to Work - financial support whilst in work

• Personal assessment and advice on presenting your disability positively

• Support whilst attending job interviews

• Support to get into work and at work

• Job retention following sight loss

Advice on keeping jobs in spite of sight loss
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.

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.

Self employment
The self employment team offers support and assistance, advice and information to help visually impaired entrepreneurs to set up and develop their businesses across the UK.
We can help people to decide if self employment is a viable option through the business planning process with one to one support. In addition we can provide support for existing businesses who are facing specific problems.

Supported employment
Our factories employ visually impaired people in manufacturing a wide range of products and are committed to providing employment opportunities, personal development and job training both within the factory setting and through the Visage project.

Find out more about our supported employment

Blind and partially sighted people are no different from sighted people. They too want to develop skills, take on responsibility and earn a living. Action for Blind People is giving them that chance.

Adult education and training
RNIB College Loughborough is a specialist college for people who are blind, partially sighted and/or have other disabilities. The college runs adult programmes that are work focused and aim to support trainees into employment.

Find out more about RNIB College Loughborough

Action's Employment work is supported by the European Social Fund