Supporting blind and partially sighted people to gain and retain employment
Evidence shows that two thirds of registered blind and partially sighted people of working age are not in employment. Vision impairment creates unique challenges in employment which can only be addressed with specialist knowledge, understanding and support.
About the network
The Employment Practice and Research Network (EPRN) has been established to support employers, researchers and employment professionals including disability management staff, in improving services for blind and partially sighted people wishing to obtain, and remain in, employment.
The network is ideal for people working in:
-
employment services
-
careers guidance
-
vocational rehabilitation
-
welfare to work
-
human resources and disability management
-
occupational health
-
academic and organisational research
-
employment policy for people with disabilities.
Network aim
The EPRN aims to bring together employment research and service delivery staff from a variety of organisations and academic institutions to share, discuss and disseminate best practice, research findings, and other information relevant to enabling blind and partially sighted people to obtain, and remain in employment, creating a professional and collaborative community.
Please read the full EPRN Terms of Reference (TOR) for further details about the aims and purpose of this network.
Why join?
The Employment Practice and Research Network (EPRN) is FREE to join and offers members the following benefits, opportunities and resources:
-
a forum for the exchange of resources, information, experience and expertise between network members
-
access to training and learning opportunities
-
increased awareness of initiatives aimed at driving up standards and
-
professionalism across the welfare-to-work industry
-
links with specialists supporting blind and partially sighted people
-
gain or retain employment through Work Choice or the Work Programme
-
free subscription to a regular e-newsletter
-
keeping in touch via a secure email discussion group.
The EPRN hosts a professional networking day a minimum of once a year and is supported by online resources, an e-newsletter and access to an online community of professionals through our EPRN online forum. You can find out more about these below...
Professional Networking Days
Improving the employment prospects of blind and partially sighted people furthest from the labour market.
Date: Tuesday 18 June 2013
Time: 10am to 1pm (followed by a networking lunch (optional)
Location: Central London
Cost: Free (please register your attendance as places are limited)
The next event in the EPRN calendar will focus on lessons from the ENABLER project, a three year research project which seeks to improve the employment opportunities of blind and partially sighted job seekers. The project addresses concerns that government welfare to work programmes sometimes fail to recognise the additional barriers facing blind and partially sighted people.
The team has created a new Employment Assessment Toolkit that enhances our understanding of the specific needs of blind and partially sighted job seekers. It has also developed innovative new ways of supporting blind and partially sighted people who require a great deal of support on their journey towards employment (sometimes called people 'furthest from the labour market').
The event will showcase both of these initiatives, and you will hear directly from blind and partially sighted people supported by the project about their experiences of finding work. Employment advisors, who helped design, create and test the toolkit will take you through how it works, and you will receive a copy of the new employment assessment toolkit at the end of the workshop.
Download the event flyer and booking form below:
Flyer:
Booking form:
Places are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Secure your place now by downloading the booking form and emailing it to eprn@rnib.org.uk or call Pat Birch on 020 7874 1308.
Employment Practice and Research Network (EPRN) Launch: Professional Networking Day
The inaugural launch of the Employment Practice and Research Network (EPRN) - a professional community designed to support employers, researchers and employment professionals - was hosted by RNIB and Action for Blind People on 12 February 2013 in London.
The event was a great success, bringing together over 50 attendees including employers, researchers and employment professionals from 26 different organisations to share and disseminate best practice, research findings, and other information relevant to improving services and enabling blind and partially sighted people to obtain, and remain in employment.
Evidence shows that two thirds of registered blind and partially sighted people of working age are not in employment. This day highlighted the unique challenges facing those with a vision impairment, showcasing through specialist knowledge and research how barriers can be overcome for these individuals.
This full day event featured speakers from the field of employment research and welfare-to-work industry, including:
-
Rowan Foster, Director of Research (Inclusion)
-
Stuart Knowles, Business Development Director (Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP)
-
Rachel Clift, Head of Health and Wellbeing services (Ingeus)
-
Dr Graeme Douglas, Senior Research Fellow and Co-director the Visual Impairment Centre for Teaching And Research (VICTAR, Birmingham University)
-
Sophie Dyment, Transitions Team Manager (RNIB Cymru)
-
David Newbold, Head of Operations - London & South East (Action for Blind People)
-
Sean Owen, UK Employment Services Manager (RNIB)
-
Andy White, Employment and Working Age Manager (RNIB).
If you would like to join the EPRN, email Juliette Taylor, Network Development Officer at eprn@rnib.org.uk.
Email discussion forum
As a member of the EPRN you have exclusive access to an online e-mail discussion forum. You can discuss the latest news, policy, research and resources along with any queries you may have in relation to your own practice and experience, in a secure environment with peers.
Discussion list networks are very easy to use and do not require members to log on to an external website to check network activity as all information is delivered directly to your email inbox.
Find out more about the EPRN online forum and Acceptable Use Policy by downloading our EPRN Guide below:
Join the EPRN online forum today!
Employers and Employment Professionals online resources
Whether you are an employer, employment professional or employment researcher, our 'Employer and Employment professionals' pages offer a variety of valuable information from the latest research and policy to information on the Access to Work Scheme, work based assessments and IT and accessibility at work!
You will find all you need to help you support blind and partially sighted people to gain or remain in employment.
'Employment Update' e-newsletter
Keep up to date with the latest employment news, resources, information and emerging policy with our 'Employment update' e-newsletter.
This enewsletter is sent out three times a year with the next edition due out in June 2013.
To subscribe to the Employment e-newsletter, email eprn@rnib.org.uk
How do I join the network?
Join the EPRN and become part of a professional community focused on supporting blind and partially sighted people to gain and retain employment.
Email eprn@rnib.org.uk or call 0121 665 4213 to register your interest and find out more.