RNIB secures BIG Lottery funding to help blind and partially sighted people into employment.

2nd December 2013

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It’s hoped the new skills and experience the successful candidate learns will enable them to gain full time employment following the placement.

The host employer will be given both financial and practical support to assist in the process, which begins from advertising through to funding the placement.

With the right support blind and partially sighted people can do most jobs that a sighted person can do. Now, as never before, access technology helps people with sight loss overcome many of the barriers to getting a job.

Whilst the benefits to the individual are clear, this exciting scheme has many advantages for the employing organisation. The placement lasts for 50 weeks and the individual works for 21 hours. The project helps employers by:

Covering costs of training and support allowances
Offering visual awareness training for colleagues and staff
Assisting in accessing government grants that cover equipment costs, such as magnification software.
Providing free advice about supporting someone with sight loss, including work based assessments to inform on appropriate adjustments
Raising the corporate social responsibility profile of the organisation and in doing so, demonstrate s a commitment to equality

If you would like further details or to host a placement ,please call 0121 665 4265 or email EtR@rnib.org.uk. Alternatively, visit , visit http://www.rnib.org.uk/extending

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