UK Report Urges Taskforce as 73% of Working-Age Visually Impaired People Lack Jobs
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Nov 10
UK Report Urges Taskforce as 73% of Working-Age Visually Impaired People Lack Jobs
2 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Nov 10
Summary
A new UK report says ministers should create a taskforce to help blind and partially sighted people into work, citing a far wider employment gap than for non-disabled people.
The report says 73% of working-age people with sight loss are not employed, versus 17% of the non-disabled population, and points to barriers in policy, funding, recruitment, workplace practices, data and technology.
Willow Horner and Bradley Tomsett said they each made 40-plus job applications after finishing a nine-month paid internship in July, but secured only one and five interviews respectively.
Thomas Pocklington Trust says its Get Set Progress scheme, developed with RNIB, has arranged about 150 internships and also helps employers improve accessibility and reasonable adjustments.
The Department for Work and Pensions said Access to Work can fund equipment, software, support workers and commuting help, and that it is investing £3.5 billion in disability employment support.