Fury as quarter of companies defy legal guidelines to adapt to allow them to make use of blind individuals

1 / 4 of companies say they’d not be prepared to adapt their workplaces to make use of a blind or partially sighted particular person, analysis has discovered.

One in 5 firms stated changes to make their agency extra accessible can be too expensive, with practically half not realizing the right way to entry further funding to assist visually impaired individuals, the ballot of two,000 companies confirmed.

Currently only one in 4 blind and partially sighted individuals of working age are in employment. People are going through limitations on the first hurdle with practically half of firms not providing accessible recruitment processes, in accordance with the polling.

Labour MP Marsha de Cordova, who’s registered blind, referred to as on employers and the Government to take motion. “It’s stunning that also right now there are such a lot of outdated perceptions and myths about what a blind or partially sighted particular person can do and so clearly having laws just like the Equalities Act isn’t doing its job sufficiently in some ways,” she stated.

“I think the Government has really failed in their duties and responsibilities in actually trying to shape employer attitudes. That’s evident when you look at the disability employment gap that has pretty much stayed the same for more than a decade.”

Ms de Cordova, who’s chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Eye Health and Visual Impairment, informed employers to not “be afraid” about making their workplaces accessible. She stated that many IT merchandise now have in-built accessibility options and changes may be made to work environments reminiscent of offering further lighting.

The APPG, which organised the YouGov Poll, is right now opening an inquiry on employer attitudes. It will present suggestions for the Government and employers to assist cease blind and partially sighted individuals being excluded from paid work.

As a minimal, Ms de Cordova, a former Shadow Disabilities’ Minister, is urging ministers to make employers conscious of the Access to Work scheme, a authorities initiative which supplies grants to assist disabled individuals get to or keep in work. She referred to as the scheme the “best kept secret” and accused the Government of failing to publicise or advertise. “The government must act urgently to tackle the disability employment crisis and support the APPG’s Inquiry launched today on employer attitudes,” Ms de Cordova added.

Matt Stringer, CEO of the Royal National Institute of Blind People, stated: “Blind and partially sighted people are being held back by low levels of understanding among employers, and every day at RNIB we are seeing the impact of this on people’s quality of life.

“Not being in work doesn’t only mean a lack of financial independence, but also leads to lower confidence, more isolation and inequality. At the same time businesses are missing out on the vast amount of talent and expertise which blind and partially sighted employees can bring.”

Charles Colquhoun, chief govt of Thomas Pocklington Trust, a charity supporting individuals with sight loss, stated: “Employers have a responsibility to take steps to prevent discrimination against blind and partially sighted people. This includes recognising the benefits of having an inclusive and diverse workforce that does not exclude disabled people.”

A authorities spokeswoman stated: “This authorities has a robust observe file of supporting disabled individuals with 2.2 million extra disabled individuals in work than in 2013. Our new £2.5billion Back to Work plan will assist greater than 600,000 disabled individuals and people with long-term well being situations to beat limitations to safe and keep in work, whereas Access to Work grants price as much as £66,000 made working simpler for practically 50,000 individuals final 12 months.

“Businesses even have a job to play – it’s already illegal to discriminate primarily based on incapacity and employers should make cheap changes through the recruitment course of.”

It is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010, to discriminate against employees against protected characteristics, including disability, and any business proven to be doing so is breaking the law. Employers have a legal duty to introduce reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process for those who are visually impaired and blanket recruiting bans cannot be introduced unless employers can prove having a vision requirement is a vital part of the role.

The polling was undertaken by YouGov between November 13-22 2023.