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 J

J, a trainee in her mid 30s has been blind since birth. She had never worked in her life, and came to Redhill at a very low time in her personal life.

J often recounts how she did not even know how to switch on a computer, but she applied herself to learning the basics of IT, seeing it as a way she could improve her life on a number of fronts. 2 years on, she has passed 4 CLAIT exams, relocated locally to Redhill and sorted out many of her personal issues. On leaving college, she acquired a computer through a national charity to continue improving her IT skills.

Her goals for 2007 are to become a mentor on a Fitness for Life scheme run by the YMCA, and take up a voluntary position in her local community which will add to her curriculum vitae. She also hopes to do a further part time IT course in September at the local college. Her long-term aim is to get a full time job

Case A

A, a graduate accountant in his early 30s left his previous job when he felt his eyesight had deteriorated to the point where his work had slowed down through not being able to read written audit material. He was too proud to acknowledge this to his employer.

Initially he found if difficult to accept he was training in a 'college for the blind'. It was hard for him to realise he had transferable skills from his previous employer, so even when his IT skills with Jaws had reached a good standard, he personally still felt disadvantaged at interview.

Gradually with the help of the IT tutors he overcame these reservations and is now working as a finance officer for his local council. He is applying his IT skills in addition to his previous financial expertise. More importantly, it has helped him to gain a better understanding of his own and others 'disabilities'.

Case U

Age: 38
Job: Customer Assistant, DIY Superstore
Visual impairment; Bi-lateral Optic Atrophy, causing general hazy vision and short-sightedness.
3 years in post; U was a Builder prior to this, but gave up due to his vision deteriorating.

U works on the shop floor and warehouse of a large DIY store. He assists customers with their enquiries, and finds / replaces stock on the shelves.

Main Problem: U needs to use a computerised RF gun, to scan barcodes, and relay information to the stores PC network. U cannot see the display or controls on the guns.

The employer was considering redeploying U to an office-based job, which he did not want. U used a very old portable video magnifier to read bar-code numbers and other items of small print; but this does not communicate with the PC network.

There was no accessible RF scanner on the market, therefore Access Made Easy Disability Consultants had to commission a new device to be made; which consisted of a USB pen scanner, connected to a PDA with magnification and screen-reading software. This enabled U to remain in a post he enjoys.

Case W

Age: 54
Job: Night Manager (Private Hospital)
Visual impairment: Macular Degeneration 6 years in post, with a history in Management.

W was unable to accurately read the display on the wall-mounted fire and safety alarm display boards. His hand magnifier did not help with this, due to the height of the boards (which could not be lowered or moved).

The employer was considering making W redundant, and very concerned about H&S issues relating to safety.

The solution was to have a video magnifier modified so that the camera unit was attached to the ceiling in a similar way to a projector, connected to a 19-inch monitor, that allowed W to accurately read the safety display boards. The HSE and Fire Brigade approved this method; W remains in post.

Access Made Easy Disability Consultants assessed and solved the issues raised.

Case X

X is totally blind. He has a black belt in Judo. He represented Great Britain at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

He teaches martial arts at a variety of class locations across the North West of England.

Apart from using a PC for correspondence no solutions were needed within the teaching environment as once X had learned the orientation of his surroundings he was as independent as his non-disabled peers and as a black belt Judo Player was equally qualified as equivalent non-disabled peers to teach Judo.

X was assisted by Action for Blind People.