BlindSA

+27 60 967 0258

ceo@blindsa.org.za

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BLIND SA PLACEMENT SERVICES

Blind SA provides a professional placement service assisting employers or recruiters to select suitable blind or visually impaired candidates for designated positions within their business.

 

The Benefits of Employing People with Disabilities in South Africa

Business leaders need to gain a deeper understanding of how to create an inclusive organisation.

The South African Government is asking employers to strategically look at a diverse workforce and capacity planning to create an inclusive environment. This is done through their policies, practices, infrastructure, training and increased awareness that address the barriers of employing people with disabilities.

A major benefit is that the company/organization will be supporting national legislation in terms of:

  • Employment Equity (EE),
  • Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE),
  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and in turn addressing social injustices of the past.

Where the person with a disability has not worked for a long time or has not had the opportunity to study further, the placement of this person should always be coupled with 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.

In addition, when placing a person with a disability on a learnership programme, an organisation can claim up to R100 000 (one hundred thousand Rands) in tax rebates per learner.

Our Job Placement Officer will be glad to explain all the benefits to your organization upon request

 

Our Service

Screening: All candidates on our database have been interviewed and thoroughly screened. A comprehensive CV is prepared for employers and recruiters to peruse. Our Job Placement Officer monitors and updates candidate records on a continual basis so our data is always fresh and accurate.

Client Interview: Once the employer or recruiter has expressed an interest in a particular candidate we will prepare the candidate for an interview at the employer’s premises. This process includes providing the candidate with information as to the role and its responsibilities, details of the employer as a company as well as accompanying the candidate to the employer’s premises in order to sensitise the candidate as to transport and access.

Placement: Once a candidate has been successfully selected for a job our Job Placement Officer will assist the employer or recruiter in finalising contracts as well as assisting with the induction of the candidate into the workplace.

Follow-up: Our Job Placement Officer will conduct monthly follow-up consultations with both the candidate and the candidate’s employer or direct superior. During this process we will assist both the candidate and the employer in resolving any issues that may have arisen. This service is offered over a period of 3 months after the candidate has been placed.

 

Sensitisation workshops are highly effective in assisting sighted employees to feel comfortable to communicate, include and interact with blind and visually impaired people in the workplace.

Blind SA will offer your company a free sensitisation workshop. This informative and fun-filled workshop will serve to create an understanding between the blind or partially sighted employee, and their colleagues. The workshop, in a light-hearted manner will equip staff with skills to understand the do’s and don’ts when interacting with blind and partially sighted people. An awareness presentation, fun team-building activities, and demonstrations on how a blind/partially sighted employee performs tasks in the workplace are just some of what will be covered in the workshop.

 

Things 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.

What Roles Are Blind And Visually Impaired People Best Suited For?

The suitability of a candidate for a position depends on the individual’s education, motivation and mind-set rather than their disability.

 

Suitable positions for Blind and visually impaired people include:-

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