Only 1 in 4 registered blind and partially sighted people of working age are in employment in the UK.
In London alone there are around 40,000 unemployed blind and partially sighted people of working age, the equivalent of 400 double-decker buses of wasted potential. 6 out of 10 people in employment have never come across a blind person. Every day, four more children will be diagnosed with sight loss.
The Royal Society for Blind Children which supports blind and partially sighted children, young people and their families across England and Wales is encouraging employers to provide more opportunities for young people who are vision impaired.
On Thursday 2nd March, the charity is hosting a free employment seminar at the charity’s Life Without Limits Centre in London, by London Bridge. The purpose is to highlight how the publicly funded Access to Work scheme operates and the technology available to support visually impaired people in the workplace.
Sue Sharp, CEO of The Royal Society for Blind Children, commented:
Inclusion has a critical role in any organisation’s strategy and forms an important pillar in assessing companies’ ESG performance. Yet only 25% of those with sight loss are currently working.
Blind and partially sighted young people have aspirations and ambitions like anyone else. Together with those in the business community, we can help them to realise their potential and lead a fulfilling life.
Sue Sharp, CEO of The Royal Society for Blind Children
The two hour free lunchtime event organised by RSBC features guest speakers Callum Russell from Crystal Eyes Consultancy and Amie Fox from Scope Eyecare, both of whom have personal experience of sight loss and are forging successful careers in their chosen fields.
Shalni Sood, Director of Philanthropy at RSBC said:
This is an open invitation to employers across the UK to join our seminar and learn more about how they can make businesses more inclusive and diverse.
Shalni Sood, Director of Philanthropy at The Royal Society for Blind Children
The Access to Work Seminar is a FREE EVENT on Thursday 2nd March, 12-2pm at the Life Without Limits Centre, Life Without Limits Centre, 10 Lower Thames St, London EC3R 6EN.
Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.