How do employers see us? Yes there's two ticks, yes there's the DDA, but what is it that holds back an employer from choosing a Visually Impaired or Blind person for a job? I'd love to know what an employer thinks when we choose to disclose a sensory impairment at the pre-interview stage.
I'll start with an anecdote of an interview I attended last year for an accounts apprenticeship, and was delighted when I received the opportunity of a second interview following a skills assessment (numeracy test). However I was shocked when I received a phone call suggesting that I should perhaps reconsider my suitability for the role as there were steps into the building! Er, excuse me but I can walk!
I was appalled but none the less attended the interview, wearing high heels (to prove a point) and trying my hardest not to laugh when the total number of steps turned out to be three, entering into an otherwise ground floor office.
In this case, I had disclosed my visual impairment within my application, and it was a double edge sword: the employer had two ticks, guaranteeing interview if I was appropriately qualified, but it also showed the prejudice of the employer assuming I would struggle with steps before even meeting me.
I consider myself capable like anyone else and have often pondered opting out of disclosure, however then I think about what would happen when I show up with a guide cane at interview.
I am proud to be visually impaired. I think every visually impaired and blind person has advantages in the workplace, which other people may not tap into as skills: overcoming obstacles (both literally and figuratively), an ability to find alternative methods for achieving in daily tasks (CCTV for reading Vogue anyone?) and a resilience which should be envied, because of the knocks and challenges we have.
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