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Visual Impairment

Definitions

Visual Impairment

According to the Royal National Institute for the Blind, over 1 million people in the UK are registered blind or partially sighted. Some have had little or no sight since birth, others as the result of an accident, and other lose their sight as the result of a medical condition.

Visual Impairment does net necessarily mean complete blindness. Forty-nine per cent of blind and eighty per cent of partially sighted people can recognise a friend at arm's length. However, the condition means that some kind of reasonable adjustments are likely to need to be made in the workplace.

Increasingly, technological developments are removing some of the barriers that previously existed for partially sighted people.

Things to consider

A growing number of employers have policies that encourage diversity in their workforce, and the Disability Discrimination Act aims to stop discrimination against people because of their disability. It is now illegal to treat someone with a disability less favourably than someone without, and the Act places a requirement on employers to make “reasonable adjustments” to remove any barriers you may encounter because of your disability.

This leaves you with the question of when and how to go about disclosing your disability (you don’t have to disclose, but if you don’t you can’t claim the protection of the DDA). There’s more advice about disclosing in the Resources section, but think about the possible implications of your condition for you, and focus on the positive things. A careers advisor can help you with this.

Technological advances have removed some of the barriers that previously existed for partially sighted people. In many cases the technology and adjustments that you used during your studies will be available to potential employers, and providing them with this information puts you in a positive light.

Talk to the RNIB about what is available that is suitable for you. Any potential employer may be able to finance reasonable adjustments from the 'Access to Work' scheme. Providing information on both reasonable adjustments, and ways to pay for them will show you as a proactive and positive person - things employers are likely to be looking for.

Resources

GO Wales is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
RNIB
The Royal National Institute for the Blind website includes detailed information about employment options for people with visual impairments, including adaptive technology and message boards.
Action for Blind People
Includes practical employment development support for visually impaired people, and information about self-employment options.
Blind in Business
A site focussing on providing practical advice to both visually impaired graduates and employers.
ABAPSTAS
The Association of Blind and Partially Sighted Teachers and Students is a national organisation of visually impaired people which focuses on education and employment issues.
Techdis
This site contains an extensive database of adaptove technology solutions for a range of disabilities.
Graduate Prospects
The disabilities section of the UK's official Graduate Careers website includes sections on the law, marketing yourself, and case studies.