Research and policy: employment

Evidence shows that two thirds of registered blind and partially sighted people of working age are not in employment. Government schemes are failing to help sufficient numbers of blind and partially sighted people into work, and training and employment opportunities for those furthest from the labour market are dwindling.

This section brings together the latest research on employment and sight loss, sets out the latest government policy and legislation in this area, and points you in the direction of skills and accreditation to help you in your profession.

For a broad overview of the employment and sight loss landscape, and the vital statistics in this field, see our Employment and sight loss - the facts and figures section.

For the latest research carried out or commissioned by RNIB, refer to the reports listed on this page or visit the Employment research section.

For the latest key external research, visit the External employment research page.

For an overview of important government policy and legislation, as well as consultations on employment and disability, visit the Government employment policy and consultations section.

To find out about your legal duties as an employer, visit The Equality Act and employers section.

Employment research reports

Investigation of data relating to blind and partially sighted people in the quarterly Labour Force Survey: October 2009 to September 2012

This report provides findings from analysis of the Labour Force Survey and enables us to continue to track the economic activity of blind and partially sighted people since the start of the economic downturn.

Labour force survey and people with sight loss 2011

RNIB commissioned researchers from Birmingham University to undertake statistical analysis of data from the quarterly Labour Force Survey (LFS). The report provided detailed analysis of the profile of people with seeing difficulties and enabled comparison with the general population.

Network 1000 - employment

This report presents findings from Network 1000 Survey 2. The report focuses upon employment status; services received by those currently in work, people who are not in work and barriers and enablers to employment. Published 2009.

Labour market experiences

A detailed analysis of the national quarterly UK Labour Force Survey (LFS). The results gave a detailed analysis of the employment profile of people with seeing difficulties and the issues they faced.

Last updated: 18 April 2013

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Sight loss UK 2012

Sight loss UK is an annual evidence review based on 45 key indicators that show us what life is like for people with experience of sight loss, their carers and those at risk of sight loss. Published 2012.