Although the UNCRPD has been ratified by the EU and in many European countries outside the Union, people with visual impairment still encounter barriers to accessing the labour market on an equal basis with others. This represents a huge problem which requires a revision of the current national policies aiming at ensuring blind and partially sighted people’s right to work as enshrined by article 27 of the Convention.
From prejudices to lack of willingness to accommodate the workplace, there are still many obstacles to be removed to ensure our access to employment. However, don’t feel discouraged, people with visual impairment are able to perform on equal terms with their sighted peers under the right conditions.
Conceived as an awareness-raising tool, EBU launched its “In-Work Support” brochure last month. In this document, our association features five testimonials of blind and partially sighted persons who reflect on the barriers they had to fight against in their process to enter the labour market while also sharing examples of how a job can be accommodated to the needs of visually impaired people. Coming from different parts of Europe, they also encourage blind and partially sighted jobseekers to not give up and persist in their quest for inclusion in the labour market.
In addition to the English version, the brochure can also be found in French, German, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish. In case you wish to have the brochure available in your language, please send your request to nacho.lopez@euroblind.org.