Q8 - What examples of good news stories exist - have businesses and employers ever made a success of this?

The following case studies outline the situations all kinds of different people who have found employment or made great progress in that direction recently:

Case R

R came to Action for Blind people after completing his masters in law requesting to learn and use assistive technology so that he could apply for jobs.

He had lost his sight in both eyes suddenly when he was about fifteen years old. When studying for his masters, R was totally unaware of the fact that any assistive technology existed.

This meant he was unable to access the computer and use all of the tools that a sighted student would have available to them.

R began training with us and learnt both assistive technology (JAWS) and mainstream packages such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and also how to navigate the Internet and use email. These were essential tools in his job searching.

R has since found two part-time jobs. He is successfully working as a lawyer and also for the BBC.

R is still using JAWS and putting into good practise the skills he has gained. This is helping both in his work and his social life. He can use the Internet as a research tool and also communicate with friends and colleagues via email.

Case S

S worked as a librarian, but as she gradually lost her sight, she was marginalised and given less and less to do. Cataloguing books and working with small print became difficult. She particularly found those aspects of her job that required IT difficult with her failing sight. This included using the libraries computer based database.

S was very close to losing her job due to her sight loss and felt demoralised and without confidence.

We trained her in how to use a CCTV to read small print documents which she is now putting into good practise at the library.

We also provided training in using a combined speech and magnification program called Supernova so that she could access data, records and information on the computer.

S can now use the libraries database to quickly and efficiently access information on the library computers. S was also trained to learn and use Supernova and Microsoft Outlook to communicate with her colleagues, customers and friends via E-mail.

This training and support has made a huge difference to S's life. Not only has she regained her confidence and taken control of her life, she has also been promoted to a more senior position within the main regional library.

Case T

T joined the Visage scheme after working on a voluntary basis with his local Youth Offending team. Prior to that he had worked on a part time basis as an Administrative Assistant and a Bar Steward at the College where he completed his NVQ level 3 in Business Administration. Other work experience had been short and on a voluntary basis.

As a Trainee Resource Centre Assistant he was required to assist with the day-to-day operation of the Resource Centre, including demonstrating and selling products to blind and partially sighted people, their friends, families and carers. He also participated in the marketing of the centre and other RNIB services. During his time on the programme T was able to increase his confidence and develop his organisational skills. He was able to develop additional skills in customer service.

T also received additional training in the use of assistive technology for his own benefit as well as the ability to demonstrate to others. On completion he had acquired an up to date work reference as well as an up to date CV. He successfully applied for and was offered a position as a Customer Service Assistant with O2. He had this to say of his experience " It was a really nice experience and I'm going to miss a lot of people there, it has greatly increased my confidence and I have learnt new and improved on my skills"

Case N

N undertook an NVQ Business administration course with additional IT at RNIB Redhill College. When she first arrived, she was distraught at having left her job of 15 years in publishing because her employer refused to let Access to Work advisers to come in to assess her for access technology. The case was going forward to an industrial tribunal, which was an additional worry for N.

N was fortunate to attend the college at the same time as several others of a similar age who had had similar experiences of discrimination at work. As a group they were very supportive of each other and along with gaining back her self-esteem, N was soon excelling in her training.

Although eventually the employer offered N her old job back, she had the confidence to turn it down and went on to get an administrative job in the Prison Service near to her London home where she still works today.

Case K

K lost his job in light engineering after working for over 20 years in this sector. The employer needed to lay people off and cited health and safety concerns in selecting K for redundancy. He came to RNIB Redhill College with no prior computer knowledge and a lack of self- esteem.

K very quickly achieved a basic knowledge of software applications and this inspired him to learn as much as he could about how a computer actually worked.

On leaving college, he went to work as a volunteer with his local council on a Rights of Way project, contributing expertise on sight related issues as well as utilising his by now excellent computer skills. After 9 months, his employed applied for a grant to widen the project, which would involve taking on a part time member of staff. Neil had applied for the job when suddenly he was rushed to hospital with a serious viral infection that left him with temporary paralysis in his legs.

18 months on, he is still housebound. However his interest in computing has kept him motivated. His former employer now works for herself and Neil has been able to keep in touch and support her new projects through email and internet research