Opening doors to employment for blind and partially sighted young people

Few facts about employment for blind and partially sighted young people

Only 1 in 4 registered blind and partially sighted people of working age are in employment in the UK
6 out 10 people in employment have never come across a blind person
Every day, four more children will be diagnosed with sight loss
In London alone there are around 40,000 unemployed blind and partially sighted people of working age, equivalent of 400 double decker buses of wasted potential

Young People in a room with computers listening to a man standing in front of a screen

Encouraging inclusive employment

The Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC) supports blind and partially sighted children, young people and their families across England and Wales and it is encouraging employers to provide more opportunities for young people who are vison impaired.

On Thursday 2^nd March RSBC is hosting a free employment seminar, at its Life Without Limits Centre in London, by London Bridge, to highlight how the publicly funded Access to Work scheme operates and the technology available to support vision impaired people in the workplace.

Sue Sharp, CEO of RSBC said,

“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.”

The 2 hour 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 their businesses more inclusive and diverse.”

The Access to Work Seminar is a FREE EVENT on Thursday 2^nd March, 12-2pm at the Life Without Limits Centre, Life Without Limits Centre, 10 Lower Thames St, London EC3R 6EN

Want to book your space and know more about the Access to Work scheme?

Join the Access to Work Learning Lunch by booking your space using our online booking form or contact us for more information at philanthropy@rsbc.org.uk.

The RSBC seminar is being supported by Scope Eyecare, teamitg Waymap and Heather Suttie from Violet Media.

Download the Access to Work Seminar flyer.

Callum’s been a trustee with RSBC since May 2021. He’s also the Chair of Governors of RSBC’s Dorton College, a specialist further education college for vision impaired young people aged 16-25. We spoke to Callum about what’s involved in being a trustee, why he does it, and what to consider if you’re thinking about becoming […]

Snapshot of a Dorton College activity. A young VI light-skinned man wearing a black t-shirt, black shorts and black & white trainers is in the centre of the picture. He is having fun kicking a football. Other Dorton College students are sat in the background behind him. On the left side of the picture is a Dorton College Staff member lady smiling and holding a football under her left arm. She is wearing a white t-shirt, a black and white pattern midi-skirt and black & White Nike Dunks. On the right stands Atrix, Dorton College's Learning Support Advisor holding a cane and looking at the young man. They are wearing an oversized bright orange RSBC t-shirt, skinny jeans and brown low Dr Martins shoes.

No categories October 25, 2024

Atrix’s story

Originally from the USA, Atrix (pictured above right) has a background in theatre. They’ve directed productions in New York and London, and taught modern dance and choreography to young children and teenagers. They moved to the UK in 2019 to take their Masters degree.

Owain from the RSBC team and a young person standing outside, exploring one of the percussive play outdoor instruments. The two people are standing either side of the instrument. The instrument is made of a series of steel grey tubes, which the young person is tapping to make sound.

No categories October 22, 2024

Owain’s Story

Fun, rewarding and never a dull moment – all ways that Owain would describe his role! But what led him to RSBC, and what does being a Senior Community Support Worker actually involve?

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Marking Blind Awareness Month: Making play areas more accessible

To mark Blind Awareness Month and World Sight Day this October, RSBC worked with Percussion Play and The Amber Trust to make some noise! Find out more here.

Lauren, a light-skinned young person with short reddish-brown hair and matching lipstick wears a black top and a necklace as they look into the camera with a steady gaze. The background of the image has been edited with a dark navy tint over the image, in the left hand corner there is a graphic yellow RSBC branded 'R'.

No categories October 11, 2024

Lauren’s braille journey

I’m Lauren, and I’m 17 and severely sight impaired/blind. I’ve been visually impaired for a couple of years, and previously needed large print from the age of 10.

Dad Joe with his two boys Noah and Lyle. Joe is standing with the two young boys on either side of him. Joe is medium-light skinned and buzzed-short black hair. Noah aged 9, on the left, is medium-light skinned with red glasses. Lyle aged 3, on the right, medium-light skinned with blue glasses. All three are smiling at the camera brightly.

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Meet Joe: An RSBC family story

Meet Joe. Joe has vision impairment, caused by congenital cataracts (cloudiness in the lens of the eye) and nystagmus (where the eyes make uncontrolled movement). And he’s Dad to two young sons, Noah, aged 9, and Lyle, 3, who have the same eye conditions.

A father holding his newborn baby baby. The man is medium-light skinned with short hair and stubbed facial hair. The baby is sleeping blissful on his chest.

No categories September 23, 2024

Eyes on the Future

As a new parent, you’ll meet many professionals in the first weeks and months after your baby’s born, and one of the most important people who’ll be supporting your family is your Health Visitor.

A group of young people standing on the bank of the Thames. Behind them is tower bridge.

No categories September 17, 2024

RSBC’s Terrible Thames adventure

We recently organised a fun ‘Horrible Histories’ boat trip on the Thames for vision impaired children, young people, and their families. It was a whistlestop tour of the River Thames, filled with lots of unusual facts and stories brought to life by the cast and crew.

A close-up of Jeanette, a light-skinned woman with short grey hair. She is wearing a blue floral pattern shirt and is sitting in front of her laptop. Jeanette is smiling brightly at the camera.

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The life of a Family Practitioner: Jeanette’s story

Jeanette’s worked for RSBC for more than 3 years, covering the North East of England. As a Family Practitioner, she supports families with blind and partially sighted children and young people, helping them to overcome challenges by developing improved resilience, wellbeing and coping strategies. Read more about Jeanette and life our family practitioners here.