Bristol SLC calls on employers to get Disability Confident
To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Bristol Sight Loss Council is calling on Bristol employers to make it easier for blind and visually impaired people to apply for jobs by committing to becoming Disability Confident Employers.
Despite accessible technology now enabling blind and partially sighted people to perform roles in the workplace as well as their fully sighted colleagues, many visually impaired people still face discrimination when applying for roles.
Bristol Sight Loss Council, supported by Thomas Pocklington Trust, is part of a network of councils led by blind and partially sighted people across the country working to influence positive change. `
Bristol SLC members know first-hand the difficulties of finding and securing good quality employment. They want to change preconceptions among employers in the city and make it easier for blind and visually impaired people to apply for jobs.
Bristol Sight Loss Council member Emma Blackmoore finds the situation very frustrating. Emma says: “Having a Degree makes little difference, and despite technological advances and the recent shift towards flexible working, the issue persists.
“I am employed now, but I remember handing in my CV to every shop on Staple Hill High Street nearly 15 years ago and not even getting past the door at most of the places. Not a huge amount has changed for disabled people. More needs to be done.”
The SLC seeks ten flagship Bristol businesses, large or small, who want to lead the way by making their recruitment practices fully accessible for blind and visually impaired people, and disabled people generally.
The government’s Disability Confident Scheme is a way for employers to have their efforts recognised. Still, very few employers in Bristol and the wider West of England are registered with the scheme, particularly in the private sector– Bristol Sight Loss Council wants this to change!
Stephen Hilton runs his own consultancy business but was formerly a Director at Bristol City Council where his responsibilities included Economic Development. He said:
“We know that people who are visually impaired already make a valuable contribution to Bristol’s economy”
Bristol Sight Loss Council engagement manager, Alun Davies, adds:
“We look forward to finding and working with local businesses. We want to be able to report real progress by next year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, by when we hope Bristol will be well on its way to becoming one of the UK’s most Disability Confident cities”.
To get in involved, email, alun.davies@pocklington-trust.org.uk
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Publication date: 03 December 2021