There is a lot of additional support available to employers who hire people with disability, including those who are blind or vision impaired.
This support can include:
Job Access
Reasonable Adjustments
Screen readers and magnifiers
Mobility Aids
Beacon Technology
Braille
Creating an accessible workplace
Additional resources
Disability Employment Services
IncludeAbility
Job Access
Job Access is a program run by the Department of Social Services that support people with disability to succeed in employment by covering the costs of the reasonable adjustments they may need to undertake their job.
The Australian Government provides funding through the Job Access Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) to cover the costs of workplace adjustments, support and training to get your workplace ready and help an employee with disability work more productively or safely. There is no cost to the employer to make a workplace accessible for an employee with disability, or for purchasing assistive technology for an employee who is blind or vision impaired.
Reasonable Adjustments
People who are blind or vision impaired may use assistive technology to enable them to complete the role, or require modifications to the workplace which are covered by the EAF. Below you will find some information on the most common types of assistive technology that someone who is blind or vision impaired might use.
Screen readers and magnifiers
People who are blind or vision impaired may use a computer or smart device with the assistance of a screen reader or a screen magnifier.
A screen reader will read what is displayed on the computer screen to someone and they will use a series of keyboard commands to navigate around the screen. This technology will have minimal disruption to the workplace with the audio being read to the employee through a headset.
A screen magnifier will enlarge whatever is already on the screen and in many cases may allow someone to invert the colours, making text easier to read.
Some computers have inbuilt accessibility features, specialised software can be installed by Job Access. Common assistive technology includes:
Mobility Aids
To ensure that people who are blind or vision impaired can move around safely and identify obstacles that may be in their path they may use a mobility aid, such as a white cane or a dog guide.
The user will have undertaken training to ensure they can use their mobility aid safely and effectively and, that the aid they have chosen is appropriate for them and meets their needs and preferences.
A dog guide is legally permitted to enter almost anywhere that a person is, including into an office or work site.
Dog Guides, White Canes and other mobility aids are available from a number of organisations, including:
Beacon Technology
Beacons are small, wireless transmitters that use low-energy Bluetooth technology to send signals to other smart devices nearby. Beacon Technology can be used to provide assistance with way finding, where a person will receive directions on where to locate features within a certain location.
Beacon Technology can be installed in a workplace to assist someone to locate meeting spaces, reception areas, facilities, emergency exits and other areas of a building. Beacon Technology is not only helpful to people who are blind but anyone who may be unfamiliar with a location and needs to find a specific place or facility.
One example of a company providing Beacon Technology is Bindi Maps.
Braille
Braille is a system of reading and writing by touch. It consists of arrangements of raised dots which make up letters of the alphabet, numbers, and punctuation marks.
Just as computers have revolutionised writing in print today, it is also possible to produce braille more easily and quickly than ever before. Braille can be a hard copy, or electronic braille displays provide access to information on a computer screen by electronically raising and lowering different combinations of braille cells.
For more information from Job Access click here
Creating an accessible workplace
Not all employees with vision impairment will require workplace adjustments. Creating an accessible workplace for a person who is blind or vision impaired is very similar to creating a safe and accessible workplace for all employees giving consideration to the following:
- Lighting in all areas of the office, including in workspaces, meeting rooms, staff amenities, hallways and stairwells. This includes considerations of natural lighting and the instillation of blinds to reduce glare.
- Keep walkways and exit paths free of clutter and materials
- Safe and clear entry and exit points
- Ergonomically suitable furniture
Additional Resources
For more information on creating accessible documents, read these guidelines.
If you’re planning a social activity, conference or event ensure that the location and activities are things that all staff can participate in.
Here is an article on workplace accessibility for people who are blind or vision impaired.
Disability Employment Services (DES)
A DES provider will often be involved in the Job Access work place assessment. They may be able to provide on-the-job training to the successful candidates and ongoing support to resolve any issues for you and the employee. There may also be financial incentives available to your organisation under some circumstances.
For more information about DES providers, visit the Department of Social Services website.
IncludeAbility
IncludeAbility is an online resource for both employees and employers that aims to increase the employment of people with disability. They have resources on creating accessible and inclusive workplaces and supporting meaningful employment for people with disabilities.