22/01/08

SUPPORTING DISABLED PEOPLE IN EMPLOYMENT

At a reception sponsored by the RNIB and Disability Allowance at the House of Commons on Tuesday 22nd January, 2008, Bournemouth West M.P., Sir John Butterfill, met registered blind people and discussed with them the problems they face in the work environment.  The RNIB are calling for policy improvements to ensure that people who become disabled whilst in work do not lose their employment and have to move onto benefits.

In particular, John met Roger Lewis, who lost his sight to Retinitis Pigmentosa.  His employer, a local government Social Services Department, appeared unwilling to work positively with him in helping him to keep his job.  Roger was about to join around 1,000 blind and partially sighted people who lost their jobs each year, joining the 56,000 blind and partially sighted people of working age who remain unemployed.

John has supported a House of Commons Early Day Motion stating that greater awareness is needed amongst employers regarding their duties under the Disability Discrimination Act and making adjustments to ensure access for disabled people.  The EDM also welcomes measures contained in the Employment Retention Bill (3) to ensure that people who experience ill health or disability whilst in work are supported to retain their employment whenever possible.

John is pictured together with Roger Lewis at the House of Commons reception.