Changes we want to see

The government has just announced plans for a major shakeup of the welfare system, with £6bn of proposed cuts.  

Personal Independence Payments (PIP) are a lifeline for many people in our community. We understand the system needs reform, and that tough times can call for tough measures. But cutting back on PIP without making it easier for disabled people to find work is likely to have a hugely detrimental impact on future generations of vision impaired young people, when the cards are already stacked against them. 

Just 1 in 4 blind and partially sighted people are currently in work. And we know that, for the majority of vision impaired young people we work every day, this isn’t due to a lack of trying on their part. It’s because the system simply isn’t designed to support their needs.  

If the government truly wants to create a more effective welfare system, then any changes it implements need to go beyond simply tightening the rules on benefits. We need practical solutions which give young disabled people a chance to thrive in the workplace and show employers what they’re truly capable of.  

The solutions are already out there, and we’re ready to work with the government, employers, and policymakers to make these changes happen.  

We’re calling for five key reforms to help make the transition from education into employment easier for future generations. 

1. Fix the Access to Work Scheme 

The Access to Work scheme is meant to support disabled people in employment. However, in reality, it’s full of delays and bureaucratic hurdles.  

We need a faster, more accessible application process to make it easier to get support. Employers shouldn’t have to cover costs upfront for workplace adjustments. And, crucially, Access to Work should be extended to cover unpaid internships and work placements, so that vision impaired young people (and other disabled young people) can gain early career experience without unfair financial barriers. 

2. Offer incentives for employers to reduce benefits pressures 

Too many employers are hesitant to hire blind and partially sighted young people, often because they lack awareness or assume adjustments will be costly. We want to see financial incentives, such as tax breaks or grants, to encourage businesses to recruit more disabled workers which, in turn, can help alleviate the pressures on the welfare system. 

3. Expand work experience and vocational training 

Work experience is key to building a young person’s confidence and employability, but there are fewer accessible opportunities out there. This sets vision impaired young people at a huge disadvantage in comparison with their sighted peers.  

We want the government to introduce a targeted internship programme specifically for blind and partially sighted young people. We also want Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) to incorporate structured work experience which helps prepare them for the world of work, and gives them more confidence to grasp the opportunities that are out there as they transition to adulthood. 

4. Make hiring processes more accessible 

Too many vision impaired candidates struggle with the job application process. With a large number of recruitment processes being inaccessible and thus out of their reach, many never get the chance to show employers what they can do. 

We’d like the government to take proactive steps to support employers in making online application processes compliant with WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards. To avoid undue burden on small-to-medium sized businesses, there should be government-backed support available to help make that process clear, easy and straightforward. 

5. Strengthen targeted employment support for young people 

Young disabled people need targeted support that’s relevant to their specific needs and the challenges they face accessing the job market.  

National programmes, like the newly launched Youth Guarantee, should include tailored pathways for vision impaired young people to ensure they aren’t left behind.