An amusing story was covered in the press this week about how an application pack for a job as an air traffic controller was available in braille. Some view it as political correctness taken too far but it appears people have missed the point. Blind and partially sighted people have the right to read the same information as sighted people. And this includes application forms – regardless of whether they are qualified for the job.
Two out of three people with sight problems in the UK are currently jobless. One of the most significant barriers is potential employers failing to provide application forms in formats they can read. This is as good as guaranteeing that the applicant doesn’t get an interview.
The Isles of Scilly’s Council – the employer in the infamous air traffic controller advert – were following equal opportunities best practice. This is standard practice and RNIB would hope more employers routinely do the same and provide accessible application forms in formats that include; large print, braille, audio and via email.
People with sight loss succeed in a wide variety of jobs and in almost all employment sectors. So instead of joking about braille application forms we should be making it our business to shape the employment prospects for blind and partially sighted people.
Positive developments in voice technology, accessible information and disability discrimination law, should help increase equal opportunities.
rnib