Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Job advice for a visually impaired person in the UK (self.Blind)
submitted by [deleted]
[deleted]
FantasticGlove 2 points 2y ago
Get a College degree first. Trust me, you are not getting any jobs without one. In the US, more blind people attend than graduate College and that doesn't help because most jobs require college.
vwlsmssng 1 points 2y ago
Look out for employers advertising themselves as Disability Confident recruiters.
It is meant to show that they have done the work to think about and plan for recruiting staff with disabilities, e.g. how they deal with reasonable adjustments. You can find examples here: https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/sign-in
A useful feature of the Disability Confident scheme is that if you meet the essential requirements for the job you should be guaranteed an interview. There are exceptions allowed if the employer gets too many applicants who would get guaranteed interviews, but it should give you a chance to defeat any prejudice about your disability.
RNIB have some resources for job seekers here https://www.rnib.org.uk/information-everyday-living-work-and-employment/looking-work
It is meant to show that they have done the work to think about and plan for recruiting staff with disabilities, e.g. how they deal with reasonable adjustments. You can find examples here: https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/sign-in
A useful feature of the Disability Confident scheme is that if you meet the essential requirements for the job you should be guaranteed an interview. There are exceptions allowed if the employer gets too many applicants who would get guaranteed interviews, but it should give you a chance to defeat any prejudice about your disability.
RNIB have some resources for job seekers here https://www.rnib.org.uk/information-everyday-living-work-and-employment/looking-work
niamhweking 1 points 2y ago
I would wait until you are closer to getting the position, being called back for a second interview for example. I would also have a "solution" ready for when you tell them. Like " I am visually impaired however the main way it would affect me at work is X but I use Y to counteract it". So "text size could be a problem but I carry this magnifier with me". Depends on the job and how much tech/adaptions you'd need. Will you have your own desk and computer that you can have set up to suit you or are you planning to work in a supermarket where you could be placed anywhere on any shift.
retrolental_morose 2 points 2y ago
Hi,
I spent a good 5 years looking for work, although my search dipped slightly when I had a child. I always disclosed at the application stage because the first time I didn't, I turned up for interview to find no adaptations had been put in place for the practical. Disability is part of my current job; so it was a bonus in that case. I am totally blind, as well, so no amount of fudging or slight-of-hand with a magnifier can make me seem less blind.
I had plenty of "unfortunately another candidate was more suitable" - read "you're too blind for us and we don't want the bother". I hadn't the time, money nor inclination to fight it, and even if i had, I'd have probably poisoned the well where I was to drink (who wants to work with people you've pissed-off in court?) But persistence was key. Luckily the benefits I was on pre-job were plenty such that I could live comfortably, if not lavishly.
Obviously a very different path to other responses you've gotten on here but hopefully my reasoning makes sense.
I spent a good 5 years looking for work, although my search dipped slightly when I had a child. I always disclosed at the application stage because the first time I didn't, I turned up for interview to find no adaptations had been put in place for the practical. Disability is part of my current job; so it was a bonus in that case. I am totally blind, as well, so no amount of fudging or slight-of-hand with a magnifier can make me seem less blind.
I had plenty of "unfortunately another candidate was more suitable" - read "you're too blind for us and we don't want the bother". I hadn't the time, money nor inclination to fight it, and even if i had, I'd have probably poisoned the well where I was to drink (who wants to work with people you've pissed-off in court?) But persistence was key. Luckily the benefits I was on pre-job were plenty such that I could live comfortably, if not lavishly.
Obviously a very different path to other responses you've gotten on here but hopefully my reasoning makes sense.
[deleted] [OP] 1 points 2y ago
5 years is a very long time.
retrolental_morose 1 points 2y ago
It flew by: I had a child, studied online etc. A quieter time to be sure, life's more hectic now!
[deleted] [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Both, I'm happy to take any job
niamhweking 1 points 2y ago
Have a few examples ready for each interview. But I wouldn't disclose until you're nearer to getting the job. Good luck
[deleted] [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thanks friend
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