Employment video (Dave's story) - transcript
Mike Holroyd:
I'm Mike Holroyd and I'm the Team Leader and the Employment Coordinator here at Action for Blind People. We have taken different approaches really to see the impact that they have on different clients. So I am just working with one client very intensively.
David Ridgway:
My name is [David Ridgeway], I am 49 years old. I'm actually registered as totally blind but I have what they call residual vision. But I must admit, I think it's very difficult to find employment when you have a sight impairment. I actually had a go at doing a voluntary role for RNIB [unclear] in Bristol. I was having a few difficulties with perhaps getting used to their system. Mike came along and he said we are looking for people to see how we can perhaps make you more employable, build up your confidence.
Mike Holroyd:
David has very, very good mobility but there are maybe some issues around public transport. So we spent our first few weeks looking at how David was going to get to here.
David Ridgway:
When I started on the enabling course I used to get a taxi to Action for Blind in Bedminster. But how it's working at the moment is I actually get on the bus and actually meet Mike in Bedminster and he actually guides me to the building.
Mike Holroyd:
So I thought it might be good if we had a look through your action plan.
We looked at David's skills and we looked at developing things both that he's interested in, also things that he's already good at, like, for example, using screen reader technology. David's interested in admin and we have an admin role here which is involved in interviewing clients over the phone.
David Ridgway:
Just doing a customer satisfaction questionnaire. It should take between 10 and 15 minutes.
Mike Holroyd:
So there's quite a lot of skill involved in doing that.
David Ridgway:
Number 9, would you feel comfortable requesting [to have help] from Action for Blind People?
Mike Holroyd:
For sighted people they can see things and listen to the phone, whereas for those of us who are blind and partially sighted everything is about listening and that's quite a skill to develop.
David Ridgway:
Number seven, did you receive the information in the format of your choice, such as things like computer, email, phone?
Mike Holroyd:
I would hope that everyone would understand the complexities of getting blind and partially sighted people into employment. It doesn't just happen overnight. So my real desire, as a result of this project, would be that more resources would be available alongside the training, real work experience, real job opportunities that are going to give blind and partially sighted people the experience which we so desperately need.
Voiceover:
For more information about the Pre-Employment Programme, or any of our employment services, please call our helpline on 03031239999. You can also visit the RNIB website at rnib.org.uk/employment or the Action website at actionforblindpeople.org.uk. With thanks to the University of Birmingham and the Big Lottery Fund. RNIB and Action for Blind People working together to support blind and partially sighted people.
rnib.org.uk