Vision Australia is set to throw open its Robina office in an effort to help the Gold Coast’s blind and low vision community increase their employment opportunities.
The leading blindness and low vision service provider will hold a special employment drop-in day on February 13 to showcase the range of services available to support people to either find or maintain employment.
Employment is one of the not-for-profit’s four key areas of support and Cate McHugh, Vision Australia regional business manager Queensland Regional South & Northern New South Wales, said the drop-in day is aimed at addressing the current level of underemployment among people who are blind or have low vision.
“Research shows that only 24 per cent of people who are blind or have low vision in Australia are currently in full-time employment, which is significantly lower than the general public,” Ms McHugh said.
“Workplace inaccessibility and employer attitudes can be among key reasons for our community struggling to find work, but through our staff we have the expertise to address these issues and any other challenges people may face,” she said.
The drop-in day will allow people to meet both a Vision Australia employment consultant and assistive technology specialist, who can provide advice to people looking to get into the workforce and those who may be concerned about their current employment situation due to a change in their vision.
“It doesn’t really matter where you are in your employment journey, we can help. For job seekers, our employment consultants can work with them on things like identifying suitable employment or training opportunities, resume preparation and interview skills. They can also help by talking to a potential or current employer about workplace or role modifications that might be necessary,” Ms McHugh said.
“Our assistive technology specialists are able to recommend technologies like magnifiers, screen reading software or even wearable devices that can support our clients to independently carry out their employment role.”
Ms McHugh said Vision Australia can also help employers and employees access funding for both workplace modifications and assistive technology.
“For individuals, the National Disability Insurance Scheme may be able to fund services from our employment consultants and assistive technology specialists as well as pieces of technology.
“When it comes to workplaces, programs like Job Access can also fund assistive technology as well as modifications that may be needed to be made to somebody’s workstation or similar.”
The employment drop-in day will be held from 12.30pm-2.30 pm on February 13 at Vision Australia Robina, Suite one, Level one, Easy T Centre, 510 - 514 Christine Avenue, Robina.
For more information or to register your interest, phone 07 5503 6400 or email [email protected].
Do you think we could help you find or maintain employment? Find out more about Vision Australia Employment Services here.