FAQs for employers
- How do blind and vision-impaired people do their job?
- What tools do they use?
- What jobs can blind people do?
- Can blind people compete with their sighted peers for the same job?
- How will a blind person get to work?
- How can we reach a blind person with our vacancies?
- What special equipment will I need to buy?
- Is the workplace safe?
- Will I have to change things round in the office environment?
- What if the worker proves to be unsuitable?
- What support is available to me?
- What rate of pay is expected?
- How will I train the worker?
- What about health and safety issues?
- Where do I get more information?
- Related Links
Many employers have questions about employing a blind, deafblind or vision-impaired person. Here are some of the most common questions.
How do blind and vision-impaired people do their job?
Blind, deafblind and vision-impaired employees may use a range of skills and tools to enable them to complete tasks such as using a PC, reading, or judging distances.
What tools do they use?
With the development of specialised software and other devices, such as talking screen readers, personal organisers and electronic magnifiers, blind and vision-impaired people can access information.
What jobs can blind people do?
With appropriate training and equipment, vision-impaired people have the same career prospects as anyone else. With the exception of jobs where good vision is an essential requirement – such as piloting a plane – vision-impaired employees can work successfully and productively just about anywhere.
Can blind people compete with their sighted peers for the same job?
Absolutely. Blind and vision-impaired workers are skilled, qualified, dedicated, safe and eager to work.
How will a blind person get to work?
If the blind or vision-impaired person is ready to work it is likely that they have been managing their own independent travel for some time. They may use public transport, taxis, walk or have a driver.
How can we reach a blind person with our vacancies?
Many blind job seekers access vacancies through internet job sites and the newspaper. The RNZFB's Employment Services is also available to list jobs and match job seekers with your vacancy.
What special equipment will I need to buy?
It is possible that no specialised equipment will be necessary or the employee may have their own equipment. If specialised equipment or modifications to the workplace are required, government-funded grants are available. The RNZFB can provide information on this funding as well as training to make sure that the employee can do their job effectively.
Is the workplace safe?
The majority of work sites have no or few barriers to blind workers. Quite often there is an easy solution to any barriers that do exist. This might be as simple as identifying walk areas with a tactile marking to assist a blind employee to move safely from one location to another in a factory. Or the use of good colour contrast on the edges of steps.
Will I have to change things round in the office environment?
The employee and the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind can advise if any workplace modifications are required.
What if the worker proves to be unsuitable?
Vision impaired workers do not expect to get any special treatment. The procedures that would apply to any other unsuitable worker would apply if a blind employee did not perform to the agreed standard.
What support is available to me?
In some cases modification grants and subsidies are available. In addition to this, the RNZFB can provide blindness awareness training for your staff, advise on adaptive technology, and work with you and the employee on any workplace issue related to their vision impairment.
What rate of pay is expected?
The same rate as anyone else performing similar duties.
How will I train the worker?
It is likely that the worker will be able to be trained in the same way as anyone else. The RNZFB can assist the worker to orient themselves around the workplace and to use any adaptive technology effectively.
What about health and safety issues?
When standard workplace health and safety procedures are followed, the risks of having a vision-impaired worker on staff should be no more than any other staff member. In fact, research has shown that workers with a disability have a better safety record than non-disabled workers. The RNZFB and OSH are able to address any employer’s concerns regarding health and safety; having a person with a visual impairment on staff may encourage improved systems for everyone. The most significant health and safety obligations are:
- Keep circulation routes, entrances and exits clear of obstacles
- Designate somebody to assist a person with a disability in the event of an emergency.
RNZFB's Employment Consultants work closely with OSH to assist in answering any questions employers may have.
Where do I get more information?
For additional information about RNZFB employment or training services please contact placement.
Contact any one of our Awareness Trainers at employment or call 0800 24 33 33.
Related Links
RNZFB Employment
Services
Blindness working for you (brochure)
Employer
Awareness