It is shocking to think that, in 21st Century Britain, only 1 in 4 blind and partially sighted people of working age are employed (RNIB, Work Matters, 2002) RNIB reports 9 out of 10 employers consider it ‘difficult’ or ‘impossible’ to employ a blind or partially sighted person..
Leading charity, Henshaws Society for Blind People is taking significant steps to cut through this research and transform the employment opportunities of blind and visually impaired people of working age in Yorkshire.
The aim of Skillstep to Success is simple: to bring confidence and skills to unemployed adults who are blind or visually impaired. The free 12-week course tackles the problems of workplace inequality head on by aiming to: increase the self-confidence, pre-vocational skills, motivation and self-esteem of unemployed blind people; while at the same time raise awareness of visual impairment amongst local employers, ensuring they feel confident to recruit staff with sight loss. Local employers provide work experience placements and 75 employers are set to receive awareness training each year.
West Yorkshire’s first 6 graduates enjoyed work experience with West Yorkshire Police, Victim Support, Hemsworth Arts & Community College, ASDA Glass Houghton, Clayton Hospital and the Glass Houghton Centre for Healthy living learning and leisure. All students say they leave the course feeling more confident and more able to identify personal goals for the future. As one student put it: “I'm not going back to daytime TV!”
The end result is that Skillstep is creating a positive long-term change for blind people of working age in Northern England. Skillstep is delivered in partnership with Wakefield Adult Education and is accredited through the Open College Network. In 2004, the project received generous funding from the Big Lottery Fund.

To find our more visit www.hsbp.co.uk or contact Frank Ward on 01977 515231 or 01423 541558