An Apprenticeship is a great way to learn on the job alongside experienced people while studying for a nationally recognised qualification.
Starting work
Information and advice for blind and partially sighted young people starting work.
There are many things to consider when you are starting work or beginning a new job.
This section will help you to identify the people who can advise you about career choices, help with interview preparation, give guidance about work experience and volunteering and advise about the support mechanisms available, such as the Access to Work scheme.
Work experience and volunteering are crucial parts of moving on and allow you to have hands-on experience of what it's like to work in different environments. Learn how work experience can benefit your CV, how to find opportunities and how the Access to Work scheme could support your placement on our Work experience and volunteering pages.
The RNIB internship programme
RNIB's internship programme offers you a unique opportunity to be part of our organisation and gain valuable experience in the work place.
You will be working on a specific project and will gain insight into working in a large charity, valuable skills and work experience which will give a strong pathway to RNIB careers.
We currently run internships twice a year. You can apply in August for a Mid September start or March for an April start. Our internships are part time, 12 weeks long and take place in our offices across the UK.
Find out more about our internship programme
Leonard Cheshire's internship programme
Leonard Cheshire run an internship programme which brings together the UK’s top employers and talented disabled students. Details of the programme can be found on the Leonard Cheshire website.
Our services across the UK, all provide similar support for you, if you are looking for advice and guidance about employment visit our finding a careers advisor pages for further information in relation to where you live.
Some employers are signed up to the Disability Confident scheme. The scheme is designed to help employers recruit and retain disabled people and people with health conditions for their skills and talent. Find out more about this scheme, as well as a list of employers who are signed up to it.
Going to a job interview can be a stressful experience, but you will find it much easier if you have spent time preparing in advance.
As you move through your journey from school and beyond you'll be entitled to different benefits and financial assistance because of your sight condition. Find out more about the financial support you can get when starting work and useful contacts for further advice.
RNIB provide specialist support and advice to help you find employment, start your own business, or stay in work if you are losing your sight. Services are delivered via our Helpline. To find out more call us on 0303 123 9999 or email [email protected].
Tom Church has recently started work as an Operations Executive for Tesco.
The “This is your future” guide - produced by Leonard Cheshire Disability - provides you with the information that you need to kickstart your career. It was written by and for disabled students.
This is your future - A career guide for disabled students, by disabled students
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) have produced a guide to help young disabled people find and stay in work. It includes advice on role models, careers advice, Disability Employment Advisers, workplace training, adjustments in the workplace, higher education, work experience and more.
You’ll be entitled to different benefits and financial assistance when you are looking for and starting work. The financial help you’ll be able to get will depend on what you are doing and your circumstances at the time.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
To find out about the benefits and financial help you may be entitled to, visit our Benefits for people of working age pages or contact RNIB's Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email [email protected] and our Welfare Rights Advisors can help to resolve any problems you have in getting the right support.
