My Name Is Claire

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My Name Is...: My Name Is Claire

BBC Radio 4 - My Name Is..., My Name Is Claire

Claire Randall is blind - why does that mean so many employers won't give her a job?

Claire Randall is registered blind and has been trying to find a job for years. Why is the disability employment gap so stubbornly and frustratingly wide?

Claire Randall is registered blind and is part of the 73% of visually impaired people of working age that are unemployed.

She has been applying for the right jobs for years, but despite loads of experience and qualifications the rejection letters keep coming. She recently got as far as having assessments and getting jobs offered, but they were withdrawn due to the companies not being able, or willing to make changes and to get the software she needs in place.

Back in 2017, the Government pledged a ‘firm commitment’ to getting a million more disabled people in work by 2027. Although disability employment figures have slightly gone up, they have remained stubbornly low for visually impaired people for decades.  Claire explains the various Government schemes and legislation that exist  but the reality is that Claire is still being left behind, just not considered for roles she is qualified to do.

In this episode of My Name Is... Claire investigates the obstacles that could be preventing her from successfully landing a job. From the Government's 'Access to Work' scheme, designed to provide financial aid for people with disabilities and other health conditions to get into and stay in work and the 'Disability Confident Scheme', which is a badge, employers can earn by committing to employ more disabled people, to examining how employer attitudes toward disability are a contributing factor.

Despite the promises - why are so many visually impaired people still not getting the jobs they are perfectly qualified to do? 

Presenter: Claire Randall
Producer: Beth Hemmings
Executive Producer: Richard McIlroy
Sound Engineer: Ross Saunders

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