This IS working 3How people with sight loss participate successfully in the world of work

2 RNIB Scotland

3 Introduction

4 Lynsey Moffat

6 Mark Wilson

8 Hazel McFarlane

10 Allan Milne

12 Linda Martin

14 Chris Turton

16 Naheed Akhtar

18 Andrew McFarlane

20 Imran Akhtar

22 RNIB Scotland’s Employment and Learning Service

26 Jobcentre Plus

27 From Article 19 to Article 20 – public procurement and blind and partially sighted people

Contents

This IS working 3 is also available in braille, audio and electronically via email.

3This IS working 3

There are an estimated 8,500 people of working age in Scotland who are blind or partially sighted. But they remain among the most disadvantaged groups in society when it comes to employment.

While the employment rate of disabled people in general continues to increase, the position of blind and partially sighted people has remained almost static (29 per cent of blind and partially sighted people in employment, compared to 76 per cent in the general population).

Even in good times the unemployment rate is more than two-thirds. In times of economic downturn, blind and partially sighted people face an even more disproportionate disadvantage.

It is a common misperception among employers that people with sight loss can’t sustain real careers in the mainstream workplace, and that they, as employers, couldn’t possibly accommodate them. According to a Department for Work and Pensions survey of employers, 92 per cent believed it was either “difficult” or “impossible” to employ someone with impaired vision.

Our first two This IS working reports (the first was published in 2008) aimed to counter this with case studies of people who are succeeding in a variety of challenging occupations in Scotland – from school teacher, shopkeeper and civil servant, to financial analyst, broadcast journalist and astro-physicist.

And we showed, too, that there are employers providing supportive working environments, and that often the adjustments they have made have been fairly minor, while Government schemes such as Access to Work pay for many additional expenses.

This IS working 3 profiles a further nine blind and partially sighted people. Their stories prove how people with sight loss can and do support themselves and their families and contribute fully to the workplace. As Chris Turton, one of the individual’s profiled in this report, remarks: “It’s a problem with my sight, not my ability or capability.”

This IS working 3 shows again how the challenges of sight loss are being overcome in the workplace by some determined people and some enlightened employers. It explains how employers can play their part in providing equal opportunities in the job market and describes the resources and support available from RNIB Scotland, Jobcentre Plus and elsewhere.

Introduction

4 RNIB Scotland

Lynsey Moffat is a contract administrator within the Accountant in Bankruptcy, an agency of the Scottish Government based in Kilwinning.

She developed keratoconus nine years ago, a condition resulting in the cornea being cone-shaped, making vision more short-sighted and irregular. The shape frequently changes, resulting in many optician and ophthalmic appointments to change her prescription. This is a hereditary condition.

Lynsey said: “Initially, I wore glasses which were made thicker as the shape of my cornea changed. My optician eventually recommended ‘piggy back’ lenses. These are soft lenses (acting as a cushion) with a hard lens placed on top meaning I wore two lenses in each eye. Without these, my vision was completely blurred. I could just about manoeuvre around my own house but couldn’t read anything or function in unfamiliar surroundings.

“As my sight deteriorated I was put on the cornea transplant list for my right eye, which was successfully carried out. I now only require one large hard lens in my left eye while I wait on the transplant list for this to be transplanted.”

Lynsey left school after taking her standard grades and eventually joined the Accountant in Bankruptcy in 2005. She has gained temporary promotion and attended training courses in various MS Office applications, Business Modelling, Crystal Reports and more recently gaining a certificate in ISTQB-BCS Software Testing. Her current role is to administer ongoing bankruptcy cases which involve processing information on a web-based portal as well as the Agency’s in-house systems.

“I currently have two large-screen computer monitors and ZoomText software. RNIB Scotland’s employment team reassessed me after my cornea transplant and made recommendations to use other software called Supernova. My employer is in the process of putting this in place and arranging training to allow me to use it to its full potential and carry out my daily functions more easily.”

Lynsey Moffat

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The main problem in terms of the physical location was the design of the office building, which has lots of glass windows. “My eye condition makes me very sensitive to light,” explains Lynsey. “This issue resulted in me getting a lot of headaches, almost like a constant migraine. My colleagues have been very accommodating and the problem has eased by placing a tinted film over the windows. My team has also been issued with desk lamps to allow me to switch off the ceiling lights in our area and are happy to use these if they find it too dim.”

She feels lucky that her employer is willing to give people with a disability that bit of extra support they require. “My senior managers, line manager and union rep have always been very supportive,” she says. “I’ve had previous employers who weren’t; one told me I should just go part-time.

“I’d say to all employers: don’t judge people until you’re aware of what their abilities are, not their disability.”

Her line manager, Evlynne McCubbin, commented: “Lynsey is a pleasure to work with and an invaluable member of our team. The level of support she requires is minimal due to her positive attitude to dealing with her disability. Working with RNIB, minor recommendations were all that were required to allow Lynsey to continue to work full time. Adjustments such as the position of her seat, the level of lighting and magnifying software have created a suitable environment for Lynsey to perform no differently from any other employee.

“Lynsey is respected by her colleagues who are very supportive of her needs. She is inspirational to others, showing that, with just a few adaptations to her working environment, she can continue to work full time and pursue her goals.”

“ I’d say to all employers: don’t judge people until you’re aware of what their abilities are, not their disability.”

6 RNIB Scotland

Mark Wilson (35) has worked as an assistant engineer with Dundee City Council for the past five years. Mark has been severely short-sighted since birth and is registered as partially sighted.

“I have high myopia, with complicating conditions such as nystagmus and astigmatism,” he explains. “I can see things very close up but the further away they are, the less detail I can make out.”

Originally from Bathgate in West Lothian, Mark studied mechanical engineering at Abertay University in Dundee.

“I work in road maintenance alongside the various contractors we have,” he goes on. “I got my present job after a work placement arranged by the Employment Disability Unit. At the end of the two months, Dundee City Council offered me a job. I wasn’t particularly daunted when I began. I’d actually done much of the same work before when I worked for a consulting engineer in the private sector.

“Most of my work is based in the office. On site, I’ve always been accompanied by someone else. But that’s as much to do with transport getting there as anything else.

“My job can be pretty visual. But the mapping software I use is reasonably accessible with high contrast colours. Most things I can alter through Windows software or enlarge on the photocopier.

“I feel I am really well-integrated with my team. There are some things colleagues can do better than me, of course, but we take it in our stride.

Mark Wilson

7This IS working 3

“So there’s never been anything that’s really been an issue so far. As an employer, the council has always been very accommodating, but the changes they have had to make were minimal because I’ve been able to adapt to the job relatively easily. The only things required have been large PC monitors. The council treats me the same as anybody else.”

Was there a time when he was pessimistic about his career chances? “Yes,” he says, “there was a period in my life when I applied for jobs, mainly in the private sector, when I’d get a no straight off the bat. When I asked them they said they were concerned about employing someone with sight loss. I was applying for jobs I was confident I was capable of doing but getting a flat turn-down.

“But people with sight loss can be valuable employees. It’s about finding the right person for the right job and dealing with their needs. It’s the person first. Deal with sight loss as an after fact. If they are the right person for the job you’ll find a way around the disability. For instance, are the essential requirements given in the job specification, such as having a driving licence, really essential? But it requires effort on both sides – not just the employer.”

And his hopes for the future? “I’m not sure as yet. At some level I want to follow the traditional career path. The council wants me to get more professional qualifications. I’m undecided whether to go down a more IT route or civil engineering route. The latter would mean more onsite time, but we’d find a way, I’m sure.”

Senior engineer Ronnie Mackenzie is Mark’s line manager. He says: “The biggest compliment I can give Mark is that everyone forgets he has sight loss. Except when people wave at him, that is, and he doesn’t respond!

“Mark is re-writing the rule-book on what it is to be an assistant engineer. He has a real talent for mixing engineering and IT. This is where his skill-set is. He’s very good at finding solutions and has promoted new ways of working. He’s made us far more IT aware. We don’t use nearly as much paper as we did! When we were planning the road-gritting, Mark used Google Streetview instead of driving along the streets in a car. He was nominated by the team to receive a letter from First Minister Alex Salmond congratulating him on the work done on maintaining the roads in the bad winter we had two years ago.”

“ People with sight loss can be valuable employees. It’s about finding the right person for the right job and dealing with their needs. It’s the person first. Deal with sight loss as an after fact.”

8 RNIB Scotland

Hazel McFarlane from Troon works for RNIB Scotland as Pathways Development Officer in Ayrshire where she examines the provision for people with sensory impairment, and seeks to identify best practice and find innovative solutions where there is a gap in service.

Hazel was born with significant sight loss and in 2000 developed an aggressive form of glaucoma and fully lost her sight. She went to Glasgow University where she did an initial BSc degree in plant bio-technology and hoped to developed a research career in this field however, it was not plain sailing.

“Having significant sight loss did prove to be a barrier for me trying to secure a research post in my academic field. So after applying for positions for eight months, I decided I’d have to develop my career and applied to work in the third sector.

“I was very fortunate to secure a job working for Accessibility Lothian which focuses on mainstreaming inclusive education practices. Through that I got involved in developing the 1994 Disability Discrimination Act, which was a fantastic piece of work to be involved with.”

After losing her sight fully, Hazel went back to university to take a PhD in social sciences, produced a thesis on ‘Disabled woman and motherhood’ and then secured a research position at the Strathclyde Centre for Disability Research.

“I was delighted to get into research; however by 2010 the funding in this sector really took a hit because of the recession. I was made redundant and this was a significant blow to me.

“I was really worried that being made redundant at my age, with sight loss could create real problems for me to get back into work. I held my breath, and was relieved when I got work at a local authority managing a social work facility.”

Hazel McFarlane

“ Employers really need to look past sight loss to see what a person can truly offer as an employee.”

9This IS working 3

Joining RNIB in 2012, Hazel said that the transition was easy. “The Government through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provide Access to Work support, which meant I was able to port over equipment and support they had given to me. So RNIB had to actually do very little, and I appreciate this can make life a lot easier for employers.”

Hazel recognises that her employment journey has been bumpy and sometimes fellow employees haven’t really understood her sight loss. “At the end of the day a blind person is an individual the same as anyone else. Other people sometimes view you as one-dimensional, defined by your sight loss. I have a family life, children, hobbies and habits all of which make me a person. Employers really need to look past sight loss to see what a person can truly offer as an employee.”

10 RNIB Scotland

Allan Milne (58) is a senior lecturer in software engineering at the school of engineering, computing and applied mathematics at the University of Abertay, Dundee.

“A lot of things I do aren’t so much jobs as responsibilities. I teach undergraduate through to postgraduate students up to PhD level, undertake research and generally offer support to colleagues based on my 34 years experience,” says Alan who has had a deteriorating sight condition all of his life.

“My sight loss wasn’t sudden, though. I wore glasses since I was three years old and this was enough for me to do my highers and a degree in computational science at St Andrew’s University, then a masters.

“However, when I was 21 my sight was deteriorating and my optician referred me to the eye clinic. They diagnosed cone rod dystrophy; it’s similar to retinitis pigmentosa. I can just make out the light from the window in my office, so I’m now more or less totally blind. But I’ve been fortunate in one way. The evolution of my needs happens to have coincided with the evolution of new technology. What I’ve needed has become available.”

When Allan first began work, he used a magnifying glass to read computer code. But in 1979 when he joined Dundee College of Technology, which eventually became the University of Abertay, he went from using a CCTV for many years, to using screen magnification software, and now a screen-reader.

“I’m the course leader for the BSc computing course and adviser of studies for all the students in this particular school. I also teach our flagship third-year computer games technology course (a field in which Abertay excels). I’ve got my students on this course to create an audio-only computer game. No graphics allowed. I’m quite proud of this course,” he enthuses. “It’s one I’ve developed and is, think, pretty unique.

“The university has provided me with all the equipment I’ve required. They’ve recently got me a lightweight computer, a Mac-book Air, and the screen-reading software I require. Some of this is supported by the Government’s Access to Work scheme. And they’ve made a few amendments to my job specification. For instance, I don’t have to invigilate examinations, for obvious reasons! And I do have to be accompanied to conferences. But that’s really about all I’ve needed.

“Because I have a guide dog I’ve got my own room in this open-plan office. The only real problem is the curves in the general layout of this floor we’re on. They can be difficult in trying to orientate yourself.”

What are his ambitions for the future? “To retire gracefully (hopefully with a pension I can live on),” he smiles. “I’d also like to develop further my audio-programming interest, and to digitise my own music collection at home. I’m a great hi-fi buff, and being a software engineer, I should be able to do this.”

Allan Milne

11This IS working 3

Was he worried he might not be able to work when he was first diagnosed with cone rod dystrophy? “Absolutely!” Allan agrees. “I was worried then because I couldn’t read and, of course, in those days everything was written on paper. It was only when I found out about what support was available that I began to realise I could do a job. And I have, I’ve been able to sustain a career through 40 years despite having deteriorating sight.”

To employers who insist they couldn’t possibly take on someone with sight loss, Alan’s response is: “Prove it! People with sight loss shouldn’t have to justify why they can do the job they’ve applied for. The employer should justify why they think they can’t. If anything, I probably pay more attention than most people. I’m not distracted by what’s going on elsewhere. And I find my colleagues can be grateful when you ask for something to be clarified. I have an excuse to ask for more information, or have some item explained further, when sometimes others might not want to speak out. Employees with sight loss can bring a whole new perspective to how people and organisations work.”

“ Employees with sight loss can bring a whole new perspective to how people and organisations work.”

12 RNIB Scotland

Linda Martin from East Kilbride had a life changing experience that led to a long road back to employment.

Linda worked in very busy GP surgery as a medical secretary, carrying out complex administration, record keeping and ensuring patient’s records were kept with careful confidence. During this time she re-trained so she could work in the education sector with children. She had completed her training and even found a job and was preparing for her career change when her world was turned upside down.

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to go through intensive chemotherapy and other cancer treatments,” she says. “And somewhere along the line my eyes got very badly damaged and I have a detached retina. I don’t know if it was the treatment that caused it, but once I had recovered my sight was permanently and severely damaged.

“The job I had been offered at a school doing my dream job was withdrawn as they thought my sight loss meant I couldn’t keep an eye on the children – literally.”

Then Linda was given another jolt when her current employer – the GP’s surgery also indicated that, as they were computerising their records, she would be unable to continue to work there and she was medically retired.

Linda Martin

13This IS working 3

Linda said: “It was a very difficult time for me. Sometimes you want to crawl away and hide. It wasn’t made better when someone at the Job Centre told me that I would never work again, and to forget it. However, I was downbeat for a bit but I thought ‘stuff that’ and got into volunteering.”

Linda began volunteering in a number of roles, which built up her skills and confidence, before entering an assistive technology course at Motherwell College. From here she worked through RNIB Scotland’s employment programme which led her to gaining employment with City Building as an administrator.

“Although it wasn’t the career I had my heart set on – I wanted to work with children, I love working here. The team we are in works to organise adaptations to disabled people’s houses. The other staff are great – full of Glasgow banter and they look after me. City Building do little things that make a big difference – helping me with lighting, accessible computers, even thick pens so I can use my little bit of sight and write down messages!”

Linda has a message to people who lose their sight and also to employers. “When you lose your sight it is easy to shrink away, but you have to face up to it and be willing to re-train and re-skill. And for employers I would say: just give people a chance, they will surprise you.”

“City Building do little things that make a big difference – helping me with lighting, accessible computers even thick pens so I can use my little bit of sight and write down messages!”

14 RNIB Scotland

Chris Turton is an English teacher at Lasswade secondary school in Midlothian.

“I have Stagardt’s macular dystrophy,” Chris explains. “It’s a genetic condition which I developed quite late in life. I wasn’t diagnosed until I was 34, although I knew there was something wrong with my sight a long time before. I’d become a bit slower at reading, and I found I was tending to have mishaps when walking downstairs. I’d miss a step.”

The condition affects his central field of vision, the amount of detail he can see and his ability to discern contrast and colour. “My right eye is better than my left eye,” says Chris, “I can read print without magnification but it depends on the light conditions, the font being used, and the contrast between text and background.”

After sitting his A-levels, Chris worked for Tarmac Topmix for two years before doing a degree in English literature and language at the University of Wolverhampton. Then he worked in a job centre before deciding to become a teacher in 2000.

“I’ve been at Lasswade, which is a fairly large secondary school, since 2005. There are 11 other staff in the English department here. Before that I taught in a very challenging school down south. Then I did a masters degree.

“The school has always accommodated me. They’ve been very supportive. I’ve also had two workplace assessments done by RNIB Scotland. And, of course, the Access to Work scheme has helped massively. Through this I got a handheld magnifier, a desktop magnifier, ZoomText software on my PC and a bigger keyboard layout. It takes away the responsibility for funding some things.

“I’ve always had my own classroom. We have smartboards in the classrooms here at Lasswade and on mine I can create bigger icons, adjust the contrast, and move the toolbars so it’s easier for me to find them. Mobility-wise, getting around the school isn’t really a problem.”

Do his pupils know about his sight loss? “I approach it on a class-by-class, pupil-by-pupil basis,” he says. “Some pupils are mature enough to accept it, some see it as a weakness. It’s a judgement call on my part. I think, though, it’s good to have a broad mix of staff in a school. And for me, personally, it’s made me more empathetic to children who have barriers to their learning.”

Chris Turton

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So what are his hopes for the future? “Just to keep going on as long as I can,” Chris says. “I’ve always said I’ll know if it’s time to stop as I’d be impacting on someone’s education. But so far, I think I’ve impacted positively.

“Last time I went to the eye clinic there was no change. But it could get worse. My vision has deteriorated over the past six and a half years since my diagnosis. But I’d look for something else, I wouldn’t stop working. I did do other things before teaching. There’s nothing wrong with my brain or my work-ethic. I’ve had one day off sick since I started, so my condition hasn’t affected my diligence. My sight loss can make things difficult but rarely impossible.”

And his message to employers who are unsure whether they could employ someone with sight loss? “Yes, you can! It’s not a huge upheaval, it doesn’t have to be massively financially onerous thanks to Access to Work, which is brilliant. It’s a problem with my sight, not my ability or capability.”

Lynne Sloan, Chris’ head of department, commented: “We teachers spend many hours of our working week reading both printed texts and handwritten scripts. When Chris first told me of his deteriorating eyesight, I confess that I wondered how he would cope with the mounds of marking that dominate the life of every English teacher.

“In fact, several years later, Chris, now a wizard of the technological gadgetry provided, continues to fulfil his responsibilities and to meet all of the expectations that I have of each member of the department. Never one to surrender in the face of difficulties, Chris has actually taken on an additional role this session, that of mentor to student teachers on placement in the department. Chris is an experienced teacher and valued colleague whose contributions to the working of the department are appreciated by the whole team.”

“ The school has always accommodated me. They’ve been very supportive. I’ve also had two workplace assessments done by RNIB Scotland. And, of course, the Access to Work scheme has helped massively.”

16 RNIB Scotland

Naheed Akhtar from Glasgow is an employment support worker with Real Jobs, part of the Edinburgh-based charity The Action Group. Her role is to prepare and support people with a learning disability in finding sustainable employment.

Registered blind, Naheed has eight per cent functional vision in her left eye and none in her right eye, though she can make out light and darkness. Recently, a cataract caused her sight to deteriorate further.

She has a first degree in working with people with a learning disability from Abertay University in Dundee and has just completed a law degree at Strathclyde University. “As part of my course, I wrote a dissertation on disability-related provisions of the Equality Act. I’m going to present my findings to colleagues here at Real Jobs and relate it to the work of my team, as advised by my manager to do so,” she says.

“I quite liked studying employment law, but I liked corporate law as well. In the long term, I’d love to do something interesting in the developing world in equality, law or support provision.

“Real Jobs has been a very supportive employer”, she says. “I have had really excellent support. I knew quite a bit about schemes like Access to Work and everything I asked for was supplied. I have a large-screen PC, ZoomText software and a handheld magnifier. They didn’t need to make any physical adjustments to the workplace as my mobility is quite good.”

Commuting every day by train from Glasgow to Edinburgh and back was challenging at first, but Naheed quickly got used to it. “Yes, there are certain things that you want to sort out by yourself but you do sometimes need assistance. If your computer gets stuck most people can just hit the Help menu; I might need to ask a colleague instead. And some office photocopiers aren’t always that accessible. But nothing that can’t be overcome.

“I’m quite hard on being impressed with myself. But I’m always optimistic about things. Some things might be harder but they’re not impossible.”

Naheed Akhtar

17This IS working 3

Many employers lack knowledge and understanding about what people with disabilities can and can’t do, she thinks. “There’s still a bit of a stigma that hasn’t yet disappeared, that people with a disability can’t adjust to a working environment. But they can. I luckily have a good employer, Andy Forman, who is very understanding and supportive towards my special needs.”

James Wilson, team manager at The Action Group, said: “Naheed’s excellent people skills and determination have been allowed to shine through simple adjustments to administrative processes and advice from Access to Work about how to make our systems slightly more accessible.

“Naheed has performed at a very high level, particularly around marketing the service to large employers, and feedback from service users about how she engages with them has been very positive. Her knowledge of legislation and case law has been particularly useful for managers and staff alike, and much of her knowledge of employment law has shaped the team’s understanding of the implications of the Equality Act.

Her determination to get results has led to the service making useful contacts with large companies and her knowledge of visual impairment has been a total asset to staff who work with service users with sight loss. Through small adjustments, and with little effort from the organisation, Naheed has developed into the role and provides support at a very high quality.”

“ Through small adjustments and with little effort from the organisation, Naheed has developed into the role and provides support at a very high quality.”

18 RNIB Scotland

Andrew McFarlane (36) is an IT service manager at the University of Edinburgh. He is part of a team that manages the day-to-day running of the IT services used by students and staff across the university.

Born with congenital cataracts in both eyes, Andrew contracted glaucoma in his left eye during childhood, which destroyed his sight in that eye. Over the years the pain from that condition became so intense that he recently needed a prosthetic eye fitted. He has good vision in his right eye, despite suffering a retinal detachment in it in 2009.

Andrew studied theology at the University of Aberdeen. After finishing his degree, he moved to Israel and then to Hungary, where he worked as an English teacher for two enjoyable years. Having won a scholarship, Andrew returned to Scotland in 2001 to do a PhD in theology at Edinburgh University.

“It was during my PhD that I got a job here at the university helping students with their various computer problems. I especially enjoyed the opportunity I got to assist students with disabilities,” he recounts. “Computers have always been a big part of my life. My dad ran a computer club for people with sight problems back in the 1980s that I went to, and I liked programming and, of course, playing computer games. So when an IT job appeared here, it seemed a natural fit.”

Andrew admits he was nervous when he first started. “I was worried about people’s attitudes to disability, and particularly about whether they’d be impatient with my level of sight or with the fact that I might take longer to do some tasks when my eyes were sore. One thing that helped me overcome that, though, was the example of my parents. They both experienced major sight loss but have conquered their worries to do some really interesting things in life. For instance, my mum was born blind but, like me, did a PhD in theology, and now works as a counsellor. My dad lost his sight in his 40s but continued to work as a religious education teacher in a secondary school until he retired. He kept up his interest in IT and now runs an online radio station which he started himself, called UplifFM.”

Andrew is full of praise for the practical support he has received from his employer. “The university has been absolutely brilliant,” he enthuses. ”Right from the start, people went out of their way to make things easier for me. Through the Access to Work scheme, the university helped me get what I needed to do my job, such as a scanner and ZoomText – tools that let me digitise and enlarge text.

Andrew McFarlane

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“But just as importantly, colleagues have continually shown care and flexibility. My approach is to be very upfront with them regarding my sight problems – I don’t think it’s fair to expect them to guess what I need! In terms of physical accessibility, the layout of my office hasn’t been a problem. They’ve let me have a desk by the window so I get more natural light, which helps me avoid the neon lights and eye-strain. I work with an extremely supportive team here in IT service management. Any problems are resolved by clear communication. Quite funnily, some of my colleagues weren’t even aware I had a visual impairment at first.”

So what is he most proud of among his achievements at the University? “A recent biggy was the successful roll-out of a new version of our incident management system, not just to users here in the university but also to several partner institutions in Scotland and England,” he says. “I am also proud of the work my team has done to build community and understanding with key areas in the university that depend on the business intelligence tool, such as finance, registry, and HR.”

And his ambitions for the future? “Firstly, I’d like to develop my expertise in the area of business intelligence, and find more ways to remove the frustrations people have when they use IT systems and services. Secondly, I care about the fact other people have not been as fortunate as I have, and so I can see myself doing charity work in another country to support children with sight loss. And who knows, perhaps one day I will even finish the book that emerged out of my PhD research!”

Andrew believes employers who assume they couldn’t possibly take on someone with sight loss are missing out on potentially crucial assets for their business. “It needs saying, time and time again, visual impairment in itself is no indicator of intelligence, competence or motivation,” he insists. “What Edinburgh University seems to appreciate is that an individual who is challenged by sight problems need not be a challenge to work with. In fact, we are just as capable as the next person of coping with work pressures and of making a valuable contribution.”

“ What Edinburgh University seems to appreciate is that an individual who is challenged by sight problems need not be a challenge to work with.”

20 RNIB Scotland

Imran Akhtar (36) is employed by the Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living and is currently on a placement with Glasgow Housing Association, working as a trainee housing assistant based in the city’s Drumchapel area.

Imran originally had retinal detachments in both eyes as well as an underlying glaucoma condition. He also has a retinal tear in the middle of his right eye obstructing his central vision. The vision in his left eye is obscured by silicone oil deposits from his original surgery, but he can read with this eye using magnifiers.

“Before losing my sight, I was a post office manager for six years,” he explains. “I was at work one day and the vision in my eye just went, just like that. After several surgical procedures I took the decision to leave the post office as I could not drive to work and the post office didn’t have suitable public transport links.

“As a housing assistant I help the housing officers to deliver the full range of services we offer. This includes taking calls, drafting letters, filing, reception cover and dealing with our customers. I am also planning to go out with the housing officers on their patch to help deliver services directly to customers in their homes. The job entails dealing with people in different situations. The types of problems we have to deal with include anti-social behaviour, rent payments, property maintenance and domestic issues. To deal with these problems you need good people and communication skills. We deal with all facets of our customers’ lives. Sometimes we’re more like social workers than housing workers.”

In the office, Imran has been equipped with a handheld electronic magnifier, ZoomText software on his computer, a high-contrast keyboard and a CCTV system which allows him to read material passed underneath it. His employer is currently negotiating with the Access to Work scheme for a few more items he feels he needs.

“My employer has been very good,” he says. “When I went for my induction they said if I need any help to just let them know. One of the housing officers, Lisa, is my mentor. She made me feel at ease from day one. I always feel I have someone to talk to if I have any issues. There are 15 people in my team. They are aware of my visual impairment. Though I’ve never particularly mentioned it I don’t try to hide my impairment either. I just try and get on with my job. I don’t really feel I need much additional help to do my job apart from the equipment I’ve been given.

“I do a lot of work with our enforcement officers. Once, when they were particularly busy, they asked me to draft a number of letters for them which were to be sent out to tenants. They were very impressed with my work. They were so appreciative because it let them catch up with their other work they had to do. That was a real personal boost for me, knowing I can make a real difference and help my fellow colleagues.

“Mobility is generally not a problem as long as I plan ahead. If I’m going out to the patch I do need a bit more time to get around but as long as I take my time I can move around safely and I always have my symbol cane to hand if needed.”

Imran Akhtar

21This IS working 3

Before being employed by Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living, Imran had been unemployed for four years. His ambition now he’s back in work is to keep going. “I never want to stop now. With the help of my employer and RNIB Scotland my confidence has shot through the roof. I’d very much like to remain in the housing field. It’s just so varied. Every day is a different challenge.”

When he first lost his sight, Imran wondered if he’d work again. “After my first two or three eye operations, I thought: how will I ever get back into employment? I’d worked ever since I’d left school. RNIB helped me to regain my confidence. I’ve been volunteering with them in my own time for over a year now. Originally it was helping with admin, but latterly I’ve been doing computer training and outreach work.”

And his message to employers? “I have a visual impairment but it didn’t really take a lot for me to be able to do my job. The adaptations I needed were really quite minor. In fact, I don’t think a lot of the people I deal with even know I have a sight problem.”

“ I don’t need much additional help to do my job apart from the equipment I’ve been given.”

22 RNIB Scotland

RNIB Scotland’s Employment and Learning ServiceWe support:

• blind and partially sighted job seekers • people trying to keep their jobs when losing their sight• employers• organisations involved in training, guidance and employment services.

Many of the barriers to employment that are encountered by blind and partially sighted people need not be there. For example:

• jobs should be advertised on accessible websites as well as in newspapers.• a driving licence is often not essential. Even if travel is involved, Access to Work and

other options may be available.• recruitment details can be supplied in the applicants preferred format, that is

electronically or in large print.• clear directions for attending an interview and an explanation of what will be involved

are courtesies appreciated by all applicants.• Visual Awareness Training is available for HR and other staff which improves

relationships within organisations and with customers and service users.

23This IS working 3

RNIB Scotland helps employers to recruit blind and partially sighted people through our training and consultancy services. We provide information on:

• The reality of sight loss – facts and myths about blindness.• Employers’ responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 – many employers are

unaware that the Act covers their recruitment and retention practices.• Guidelines on recruitment and selection.• Using psychometric tests in recruitment.• The Access to Work scheme – this is one of the most effective interventions that can

help blind and partially sighted people in work. The provision of specialist equipment and other support is government funded.

• Job retention: enabling employers to retain the expertise and experience of an employee who is losing their sight.

• Access technology – our technology specialists offer advice and individual or group, training on a wide range of technology, including video magnifiers, screen magnification, Apple products, speech generating software such as JAWS, braille technology and web accessibility.

Our transcription service can provide information in alternative formats, such as audio or braille.

24 RNIB Scotland

RNIB Scotland’s Employment CentresOur services cover the whole of Scotland and we have centres in Edinburgh, Glasgow and also staff based in our Aberdeen office.

Our centres have modern facilities, providing an ideal environment for blind and partially sighted people to search for work, attend work related courses and use accessible computers and equipment.

How we support blind and partially sighted people to gain or retain employment:

• Work Choice (Work Choice is a Government employment programme that supports people with disabilities and long-term health issues who face real barriers when it comes to finding work).

• Employment Hubs.• Focus on Employability project (Glasgow).• Aberdeenshire Employability project (Aberdeenshire).• Enabler Assessment Toolkit (assessment tool that helps to provide an understanding

of the skills and aspirations of a blind or partially sighted person looking for work).

Support for employersRNIB Scotland helps employers support the recruitment of more blind and partially sighted people through the services we offer throughout Scotland. We provide information and advice on a variety of topics including the reality of sight loss – facts and myths about blindness, guidelines on recruitment and selection, the Access to Work scheme, and access technology.

We also offer a range of training courses aimed at raising positive awareness of issues faced by blind and partially sighted employees. We customise our training packages to suit the requirements of organisations, with subjects such as visual awareness, good practice in recruitment and selection, using access technology, and legislative requirements on offer.

New developmentsFrom 2015, we will be running a series of technology, pre-employment and transition services in Scotland, providing further support to people moving towards work.

RNIB supportRNIB’s Helpline is your direct line to the support, advice and products you need. We’ll help you to find out what’s available in your area and beyond, from RNIB and other organisations.

Whether you want to know more about your eye condition, buy a product from our shop, join our library, find out about possible benefit entitlements, be put in touch with a trained counsellor, or make a general enquiry, we’re only a call away. Telephone 0303 123 9999 from Monday to Friday 8.45am to 5.30pm.

25This IS working 3

RNIB ScotlandRNIB Scotland promotes the interests of the estimated 180,000 people in Scotland with sight problems. If you or someone you know has a sight problem, we can help. We deliver a wide range of services for people who are blind and partially sighted in the fields of employment, education, family support, social work, social care, accessible information and the built environment. We campaign for the civil rights and inclusion of people with sight problems within the community. Through campaigns, we raise awareness on eye health issues and the availability of adequate treatments.

RNIB Scotland Employment and Learning ServiceMoulsdale House, 24d Milton Road East, Edinburgh, EH15 2NJTelephone 0131 657 8200Fax 0131 657 6888

RNIB Scotland Employment and Learning Service17 Gullane Street, Partick, Glasgow, G11 6AHTelephone: 0141 276 9800Email ELScotland@rnib.org.ukWebsite rnib.org.uk/Scotland

26 RNIB Scotland

Jobcentre PlusJobcentre Plus, part of the Department for Work and Pensions, brings together employment and benefit services for people of working age and is a key element in the Government’s objectives to help people find work and stay in work.

Jobcentre Plus provides a wide variety of services including:

• advice from Disability Employment Advisor’s (DEAs). They can refer unemployed people with disabilities to specialist Government employment programmes, such as Work Choice, where support is provided by specialist organisations (including RNIB Scotland) to find or retain a job.

• benefits guidance.• a dedicated service to support employers in filling their vacancies quickly and

successfully.• job search facilities.• access to benefits for those entitled to them.

For further information on the services Jobcentre Plus provides to employers and customers, visit jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Need extra help to access work?If you are considering employing someone with a disability or have an employee who develops a health condition, then the Access to Work programme through Jobcentre Plus may be able to help you make working work.

Access to Work can help you, help your employee with special equipment (or alteration to existing equipment), alterations to premises or your working environment and help with the costs of getting to and from work amongst others. For more information, visit jobcentreplus.gov.uk

27This IS working 3

From Article 19 to Article 20 – public procurement and blind and partially sighted people

One less well-understood way in which the public sector can help people with sight loss, and other disabilities, get a foothold in the labour market is to make greater use of a European Union directive.

For almost a decade, RNIB Scotland has campaigned to urge Scottish politicians at all levels to apply Article 19 of the Directive 2004/18/EC on public procurement.

Article 19 empowers public bodies – local authorities, health boards, central government departments, etc – to reserve some public procurement contracts to suppliers where “most” (ie, at least 50 per cent) of the employees are disabled or disadvantaged workers.

It may sound dry and distant but the rules surrounding public contracts touch people’s lives. They can make a significant difference to blind and partially sighted people in terms of goods and services, and the accessibility of buildings and technology as well as employment.

However, as of 2014, a later directive has weakened this provision. It lowers the threshold to at least 30 per cent of employees who are disabled or disadvantaged. This may increase competition for reserved contracts, by making more companies eligible, but offer less openings for people with a disability.

This makes it all the more important to maximise use of reserved contracts. Although reserved contracts and sheltered workshops are not the sole answer to disabled employment, they offer valuable opportunities that should not be overlooked.

Photo © Jorisvo/Shutterstock.com

Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland12-14 Hillside CrescentEdinburgh EH7 5EA

Telephone: 0131 652 3140

Website: rnib.org.uk/scotland

Email: rnibscotland@rnib.org.uk

© RNIB Scotland January 2015. Registered charity number SC044876

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