Q9 - Where Can I find links to other expert organisations and advice - and what is "Visage" anyway?

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is Visage?

Visage is a Development Partnership, led by Action for Blind People. The partnership supports blind and partially sighted people into employment. It brings together eight UK based partners and a number of transnational partners working together to make a real difference to blind and partially sighted people living right across the European Union (EU).

2) How is Visage funded?

Visage is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and forms part of the Equal initiative

3) What is the aim of the Visage project?

The aim of the project is to test and promote new means of combating all forms of discrimination and inequalities in the labour market, both for those in work and for those seeking work. The project is designed to support people with disabilities, in particular people who are visually impaired.

4) Who's involved in the Visage project?

The eight UK partners involved are Action for Blind People, Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities, Inspire Community Trust, Kent Association for the Blind, Kent County Council, Newco Products, Prevista Ltd, RNIB and visual impairment organisations in Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia. For more information on the Visage project visit the website www.visage-equal.org.uk

5) How long does the Visage project run for?

The Visage project runs until December 31, 2007.

6) How can the Visage project help me?

With advice, support and information and by persuading you of the importance of the business case!

7) Who can I talk to about this project?

If you would like to talk to someone please call 020 7635 3044 or in Kent 01303 270022
Alternatively you can email visage@actionforblindpeople.org.uk or info@visage-employers.org.uk

Project Partners

Action for Blind People - www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk

Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities - www.opportunities.org.uk

Kent Association for the Blind - www.kab.org.uk

Kent Supported Employment - www.kent.gov.uk/kse

Newco Products - www.newcodirect.com

Prevista Ltd - www.prevista.co.uk

Royal National Institute for the Blind - www.rnib.org.uk

Visage Equal - www.visage-equal.org.uk

Channel Chamber of Commerce - www.channelchamber.co.uk

Inspire Community Trust

Sources for Further Information

Any of the partners have information on different topics listed on the sites above. These sources are for additional and more detailed information

Action for Blind People - Action for Blind People

8) I have received an application for a job from a person with a disability- what should I do now?

Employers Forum on Disability - www.employers-forum.co.uk
General support and Paid membership for those employers who wish to join.

RNIB - www.rnib.org.uk/
Making Information accessible

Government Information

Access to Work Scheme - www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Workstep - www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

9) What could be the financial implications for me of employing a partially sighted, blind or disabled person?

www.disabilitystandard.com/

10) What value is there for me in employing a disabled person - what is the business case?

Realising Potential - www.realising-potential.org/
Blind in Business - www.blindinbusiness.org.uk/
Corporate Social Responsibility - www.csreurope.org/csrinfo/csrdisability/DisabilityandCSR/

11) Will it be safe for me to have a disabled or a blind person working in my business?

www.employers-forum.co.uk

12) How can I adapt the working environment - who will advise me and who will pay?

Access to Work Scheme - www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Employers/index.html

AME (Access Made Easy) - www.accessmadeeasy.co.uk
Disability Consultants, Jobcentre Plus contractors, providing Access to Work assessments, across London and the South East of England; all physical and sensory disabilities. They are BCTS accredited trainers, JAWS, Supernova etc, and can also provide awareness training and transcription services.

AccessOk - http://qs2.aqvs.co.uk/accessok/free/saentry.php
free online disability audit for small and medium sized businesses

The Access Collaboration Ltd (Canterbury, Kent) - www.aclimited.net

Employers-Forum - www.employers-forum.co.uk/www/guests/info/index.html

Abilitynet - www.abilitynet.org.uk/
Assistive technology for people with disabilities

RNIB - http://www.rnib.org.uk/
Free information on making Web resources accessible

13) What are my legal obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act - who will advise me on how I can meet them?

Employers-Forum - www.employers-forum.co.uk/www/guests/info/index.html

Action for Blind People - http://www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk/

Businesses and Supporting Organisations

Company	Information	Website
	Serving people aged 50 and over	www.saga.co.uk
	Make up the Eurotunnel Group, founded in August 1986, which manages and operates the Channel Tunnel between the UK and France.	www.eurotunnel.com/
	Channel Chamber of Commerce (accessible hot desking and employers forum	www.channelchamber.co.uk
	Independent Insurance Services are totally independent, they have access to the whole market place and deal with all insurers.	www.independentinsuranceservices.co.uk
	BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions	www.btplc.com
	Leading global provider of medical devices for the hospital, emergency, home and specialist environments.	www.smiths-medical.com/
	Need support with recruitment or retention of staff in your organisation, they have outlined where they can add value to your existing process.	www.employmentsolutions-rbli.org/
	Manpower can help your company anticipate and benefit from the changes happening now and next, in the contemporary world of work.	www.manpower.co.uk/
	Aim to be a vital part of the global information age in which we live.	www.humanware.com/
	Dolphin Computer Access has a simple goal; to create software products that allow visually impaired people simple access to mainstream information technology. Dolphin software works with industry standard Windows hardware and software, their range includes screen readers, screen magnifiers, Braille support, speech synthesisers and digital DAISY authoring and playback software.	www.yourdolphin.com/
	Optelec develops and distributes a wide range of PC-compatible video magnifiers, that provide access and independence for the blind and visually impaired.	www.optelec.co.uk
	Optima Low Vision Services Ltd are the premier distributor of Low Vision Aids in the UK.	www.optimalowvision.co.uk/
	www.careerchangecentre.org is an innovative new website aimed at people making mid-life career decisions. It is focused on helping the 50's and over living or working in the South East of England.	www.careerchangecentre.org
	About Ensuring Positive Futures - articles on the UKCoalition website. Ensuring Positive Futures is an innovative employability programme for people living with HIV in the UK.	www.ukcoalition.org/
	Whether you want to improve your career prospects, get a qualification or just make the most of your job, our services are available throughout England.	www.nextstepkentandmedway.org.uk