Anne McGuire, minister for Disabled People at the Department of Work and
Pensions, visited RNIB Scotland's �1.5million new, purpose built Employment
and Learning Centre in Edinburgh last week. The minister met staff and
blind and partially sighted people using communications technology equipment
and developing job seeking and workplace skills.� She also toured a
floor of the college's hall of residence which has been adapted with the
latest aids to allow students with sight loss to live as independently as
possible.
The centre assists people who are currently in employment and losing
their sight as well as blind and partially sighted people who have never
worked.� Staff identify technology and strategies that might enable
people to continue to use their current skills and experience in the same or
similar job, if they lose their sight permanently.
Ms McGuire said: "Removing barriers for blind and partially sighted
people plays an important part in opening work opportunities, such as RNIB's
training in communications technology, job seeking and daily life skills,�
I am grateful for the opportunity to visit the RNIB's Scottish Employment
Centre and to meet both staff and trainees who have contributed to an
benefited from those facilities".
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