Access To Work Diary

I have decided to create a diary of my engagement with the Access To Work programme in the hope that this will alert people to the changes, requirements and delays in obtaining ATW. I recently gained employment and as I am Registered Blind I contacted ATW for support to enable me to undertake the job. My first contact was 10 days before my official start date and this was made to what is a general contact. I was informed that a case officer would contact me to discuss my requirements and complete a telephone interview. 4 days after the initial contact I received a call from my case officer - here we go I said to myself this is going to work! Not so as the case officer said my telephone interview would be in 7 days time. I explained that was the date I was due to start my new job. No matter said he and we agreed a date and time for the interview. Meanwhile he sent me 12 questions to complete and requesting quotes for travel to and from work. If I completed this it would mean the interview would be shorter and he would be able to read and consider my support beforehand. On the due date and time I received the telephone call. This took less than 20 minutes and guess what - he had not read my submission/application! So for the first week of employment I paid out for taxi journeys to my home to working back. Not good I thought since I would be paid for 6 weeks. 5 days after the telephone interview I received approval for my journeys but nothing about travel in work. My employer had already confirmed they would pay 50% of these journeys but alas ATW did not include these in my approval letter. And so I start sending emails .... but this next instalment can wait until the next diary post. Time for a coffee!

Could blindness help detect breast cancer?

This surprising, yet simple idea came to a German doctor one morning while he was in the shower: would blind women actually do his job a lot better than he does? "Three minutes is all the time I have to do clinical breast examinations in my practice," says Duisburg-based gynaecologist, Dr Frank Hoffmann. "That's not enough time to find small lumps in the breast tissue, which is crucial to catching breast cancer early." People trained to read Braille have a highly developed sense of touch, so Hoffmann guessed that blind and visually-impaired women would be better qualified than anyone else to carry out breast examinations on his patients. Full story at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-31552562

Employment Opportunity

Traineeship in Furniture Assembly Although it may not seem like it when you leave school, there is more than one way to gain a qualification. Thanks to initiatives like the RSBi traineeship scheme, you can combine going to work with gaining a qualification. Here at RSBi, we have big plans for our trainee. Along with the technical skills you will gain – you will also work towards an SVQ Level 2 in Performing Manufacturing Operations. Throughout your traineeship, we’ll give you the support you need to reach your potential in an environment that will enhance your skills from day one. We will make sure you have the transferable skills you need for the world of work. Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBi) is the manufacturing division of City Building. Specialising in manufacturing a wide range of products, RSBi is also dedicated to making a difference in the community. If you’re aged between 16 and 22, are partially sighted and you’re keen to secure employment within a manufacturing environment, please send your CV to HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" [email protected] by Friday 20th March. Job Location – RSBi, 12 Edgefauld Avenue, Glasgow, G21 4BB Job Duration – 2 years Salary – to be confirmed For further information please e-mail or call Audrey McJimpsey on 0141 2870811

Nearly 70% of patients with a blinding eye condition have to wait too long for treatment

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists and the Macular Society say their research shows that more resources are needed to treat elderly people with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A survey of ophthalmologists found that nearly 70% of patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) had to wait more than the recommended two weeks for their first sight-saving injection. Many also wait too long for follow up treatment. Read more at: http://www.macularsociety.org/How-we-help/About-