Challenges at work for people with sight loss in Northern Ireland

Posted: Thursday 03 November 2022
office workers in discussion

A webinar to tackle employment issues and tips for people working with sight loss in Northern Ireland will be hosted by the Macular Society’s working age and young people’s service manager this month.

We know people with macular disease and other visual impairments can face additional challenges in the workplace and that it can take someone with sight loss twice as long to secure a job.

Through this online, free discussion, hosted by Colin Daniels, the Macular Society hopes to raise awareness of the issues faced by people with sight loss in the workplace, and provide the tools and support needed to overcome them.

The Macular Society will be joined by Nigel Townley of the RNIB NI and employment officer from Disability Action, Michael Moore. Heather McLarnon will also share her employment story, as someone with Stargardt disease.

They will cover a number of topics on employment, including  difficulties faced during the job application or interview stage, disclosing your sight loss condition and the benefits of volunteering. The session will also discuss Access to Work, a Government scheme which can help you find or stay in work if you have a disability or physical or mental health condition.

The webinar will be hosted by Macular Society’s working age and young people’s service manager, Colin Daniels, who will give attendees the chance to have their biggest employment questions answered.

Colin said: “It generally takes someone with sight loss twice as long to find work. So, it is not only important to have the right skills to find a job, but it is also important to understand the barriers and how to overcome them.

“We hope this webinar will provide some useful information for people in Northern Ireland and help them overcome the many challenges they face when seeking employment.”

The webinar via Zoom will take place at 7pm on Tuesday 22 November, with registration now open.

Register now.