EQUAL - VISAGE

VISAGE

Partnership information

Description

Background

Rationale for the DP is based on recent Labour Market Surveys (1998/2000) that highlights the fact that disabled people are almost only half as likely as non-disabled to be in employment. According to a report by Action for Blind People (ACTION) and Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) in June 2004, 'Beyond Stereotypes', only one in four (27%) of blind and partially sighted people of working age is employed. This evidence establishes the need for a partnership which will address key Employability issues under Theme A in the London area.

Aims

The purpose of this partnership is to create a pilot programme of innovative methods, actions and interventions to assist the integration of blind and partially sighted people into the labour market, with a focus on facilitating progression from sheltered/supported employment to open employment.

Objectives

To break down the barriers that prevent blind and partially sighted people from finding a job or staying in employment by:
Research - With employers and with blind and partially sighted people in the UK. Transnational research examined daily living, self employment and ICT.
Production of Practical Toolkits - For employers, for blind and partially sighted jobseekers and for social firms.
Generating business opportunities by - Developing skills of blind and partially sighted workers and encouraging entrepreneurialism.

Target Groups

Blind and partially sighted people in work
Blind and partially sighted people seeking work

Video interviews

Adaptive Technology - Elizabeth Cooke, Beneficiary 775 KB
Impact of Project - Andy Taylor, DP Manager 1.5 MB
Innovation - Andy Taylor, DP Manager 934.7 KB
Making the Business Case for Diversity - Andy Taylor, DP Manager 657.3 KB
Personal Empowerment -Elizabeth Cooke, Beneficiary 775 KB
Project Focus - Andy Taylor, DP Manager 253.7 KB
Sharing of Good Practice - Andy Taylor, DP Manager 590 KB

Round

Round 1 to Round 2

This development partnership was not involved in round one.

Lead partner

Action for Blind People
www.afbp.org

Core partners

Bexley Council, Employers Forum on Disability, Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities, Job Centre Plus

Contact

Andy Taylor, Action for Blind People,

End-dates

Action 2: 31 March 2007
Action 3: 31 December 2007

Equal theme

Facilitating access

Origins

The members of the DP are from the voluntary sector, trade unions, employers and government agencies. All members have been recruited because they have the knowledge and expertise needed to tackle the complex issues of employability for blind, partially-sighted people. The partners will build on and further develop the work of initiatives which recognise the greater difficulties and barriers faced by disabled people in accessing work.

Beneficiaries

People with disabilities, Unemployed

Intended impact/ sustainability

The Visage Project has made a real difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted people in the UK. By making clear the business case for employing and retaining blind and partially sighted people, an embedded culture of corporate responsibility will sustain the advances made during the lifetime of the partnership.

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Connections

Visage and the Workstep Programme

www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/jcp/customers/helpfordisabledpeople/workstep/index.html

Visage DP is working closely with Jobcentre Plus in supporting disabled people in the workplace.More

Daisy Chatterton

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Activities and products

VISAGE Resources Here you can find a comprehensive list of the resources developed and the research carried out during the course of the Visage project. Expand/collapse