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Education, Training and help for Employment

(The current Minister for the Disabled is Anne McGuire)

Henshaws Society for Blind People are running their 'Skillstep to Success' for jobs Project in Newcastle 0191 2220716

2003-2006 Local Project to help Deaf Blind people

The Open University now support VI students for some courses both at special centres and at home Tel: 01908 653 237 Email general.enquiries@open.ac.uk

Local Voluntary Organisations have extensive facilities for free training in typing, computer skills, Braille, Moon, etc.

Note that your employer will probably be able to fund any special help or equipment from the Government 'Access to Work' scheme designed to persuade employers to hire people with disabilities, the government offers employers 'Access to Work grants'. The grant can pay for between 80% and 100% of the costs for any adaptations or equipment to help disabled employees do their jobs. There is no upper limit on how much an Access to Work grant is, it depends entirely on what is needed to help. If it's a new job then the grant will pay for the whole thing. If you have been in the job for six weeks or more then Access to Work will pay 80% of the cost. But if the total cost is over £10,000 they may again pay the full amount.

For individual assistance in job finding SHAW Trust 01642 218181

For training and help: SHAW Project 0191 2300 066

Blind Business Association Charitable Trust helps V.I.s who have ideas for a new business penny@bbact.rog.uk Tel 01509 561790

Job Finder etc at www.worktrain.gov.uk

Each local Job Centre has a Disability Employment Advisor who can advise on finding work, training, financial support, etc., Tel: 0191 451 3531 or 01642 398 160.

Special Needs Careers Advisor (0191) 483 2829

Employment Opportunities (NE) (0191) 232 1994

RNIB Employment and Student Support Network 01325 364913 Fax 01325 364914

OPSIS UK national association for the training and education of blind and partially sighted people: Tel 0121 428 5037

CV writing assistance from Action for Blind People 01 772 563944

See also opportunities for financial assistancewith training and equipment