EMPLOYMENT
Getting a job is the starting point of self-sufficiency and dignity for most people, with no exception to the blind. At Blind SA we are set to helping people with blindness and visual impairment to find their way into employment
Labour rights for people with disabilities in South Africa
All South Africans have equal rights regardless of disabilities. However, there are still challenges facing the disabled within the workplace. If you are a blind or visually impaired employee it is important to know and understand your rights, the Labour Relations Act and the Employment Equity Act in South Africa that prohibits unfair discrimination against disabled employees. We encourage all employers to understand the rights of disabled employees.
Blind SA Responsibilities towards achieving employment for people with blindness and visual impairment
- Assisting them with the appropriate training, acquiring relevant equipment and information, as well as addressing current and potential employment issues.
- Providing a professional placement service assisting employers or recruiters to select suitable blind or visually impaired candidates for designated positions within their business.
Strategy used to ensure the selection of best candidates for prospective employers
- Ensuring that all our candidates’ CVs and cover letters are properly reviewed. Bullet number.
- Conducting a preliminary interview with suitable candidates based on the strength of their CV and cover letter. This is to ensure that the candidate really has the qualification and other qualities needed to do the advertised job. NB/ Our Job Placement Officer monitors and updates candidate records on a continual basis so that our data is always fresh and accurate.
Formal interviews
- Formal interviews are conducted by the prospective employer at their job premises.
- In this case our responsibility is to prepare the candidate for the interview by providing them with information about the employer and the job’s roles and responsibilities.
- We also accompany the candidate to the employer’s premises in order to sensitise them on transport and access.
Follow up
Making a follow up is one way of showing our support for both the employer and our candidate. For the first three month of job placement, our Job Placement Officer conducts monthly follow-up consultations with both the candidate and the employer or direct superior.
- During this process we assist both parties resolving any issues that may have arisen.
- We also support employers with free sensitisation workshops. These workshops are highly effective in assisting sighted employees to feel comfortable to interact with blind and visually impaired people in the workplace. The workshop activities include but not limited to awareness presentation, fun team-building activities, and demonstrations on how a blind/partially sighted employee performs tasks in the workplace.
Our goal
To help the blind and visually impaired people not only remain employed but also grow to become successful employees.
The Benefits of Employing People with Disabilities in South Africa
To help the blind and visually impaired people not only remain employed but also grow to become successful employees.
- Support national legislations – These are legislations aimed at creating an inclusive work environment for all South Africans such as the Employment Equity (EEA) and the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE). Under these labour laws organizations are obliged to ensure that their policies, practices, infrastructure, training and increased awareness address the barriers of employing people with disabilities.
- Support Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – It is generally required for employers to practice CSR to improve various aspects of society as well as promote a positive brand image for themselves. CRS in terms of Ethical Responsibilities require employers to act in a fair and ethical manner by issuing positive treatment of all employees including favourable pay and benefits in excess of mandated minimums. This includes fair employment consideration for all individuals regardless of personal or physical differences.
- Utilizing your benefits for employing people with disabilities – Employers may place person with a disability has not worked for a long time or has not had the opportunity to study further on an intensive training programme. By doing so, employers will benefit from gaining points on the BBBEE scorecard under Employment Equity as well as Skills Development. Additionally, your organization can claim up to R100 000 (one hundred thousand Rands) in tax rebates per learner. Our Job Placement Officer will be glad to explain more on these benefits upon request.
Best Suited jobs for people with blindness and visual impairment
Leadership:
- CEO
- Branch Manager, Regional Manager, Line Manager
- Lawyer or Attorney
- Facilitator
- Public Speaker
Office Support and Administration:
- Switchboard Operator
- Telephonist
- Secretary
- Administrator
- Call Centre Operator or Manager
- Data Capturer
- Researcher
- Software Developer or Programmer
Sales and Marketing:
- Sales Associate
- Telesales Agent
- Copywriter
General:
- Massage Therapist
- Event Co-ordinator
- Broadcaster
- Disc Jockey
- Musician
Things employers need to consider
Accessibility: Employers need to ensure that their premises are easily accessible for the prospective employee with regard to public transport routes, clear signage, clearly demarcated entrance and exit points, Braille on lifts and easy access to personal amenities and work stations.
Software: The installation of specialised software at the candidate’s workstation such as NVDA (Nonvisual Desktop Access) which is a free open-source software or Zoomtext, as well as the possible requirement for specialised hardware, depending on the prospective employee, needs to be taken into account.