On Tuesday 12 March the College Transitions Team hosted their annual Employer Information Evening. The event was a success with people attending from 10 local companies and is a vital part of the work that the College does with its partner employers. The evening provided an opportunity for employers to learn about the benefits of providing a work placement and gives the College a chance to educate the wider community about simple solutions to supporting people with disabilities in the work place.

Special thanks goes out to Jenny Townend, Learning Support Specialist at The University of Northampton, who gave a thoughtful presentation on how a work placement had gone in The University of Northampton Library Service. She also talked about the University's involvement and the mutual benefits for trainees and her own team. College trainees Vernon Connolly and David Lewis took to the stage to give an effective presentation on their experiences, focusing on dispelling some of the common fears faced by employers when taking on a blind or partially sighted person.

Employers also used the opportunity to network and to test out the kind of access technology blind and partially sighted people use in the work place. Many struggled with JAWS, software used by people with no sight to access a computer, highlighting the huge commitment trainees go through in order reach their goal of employment.

The College hopes that reinforcing the positive contribution blind and partially sighted people can make to employers helps to break down the barriers faced by many disabled people when seeking employment.

Lauren Collier from Imago said that, "The involvement of the students and the use of guest speakers meant that information was provided from 'both sides' and acted as a great form of encouragement to become involved" .

Marie Muir, Employment Placement Office at the RNIB College said that, "the event was mutually beneficial for all involved. The trainees were able to meet potential employers and practice networking, the employers were able to learn more about what we do and we were able to demonstrate the benefits of successful employer relationships to move our trainees closer to employment. I look forward to the next one!"

If you would like more information about providing work placements please contact Marie Muir on 01509 611077 or email mmuir@rnibcollege.ac.uk