Case study: Adjustments for an employee with a mobility and visual impairment

Jane suffers from blurred vision, loss of vision in one eye, head shakiness, headaches, and sensitivity to light.

Jane increasingly had difficulties in viewing documents on screen, performing cut and paste tasks and typing for any period of time.

She was assessed by Capita HD direct who arranged for an assessment by a company called TintaVision. They identified that she needed her screen colour changing and setting up to display larger text. They also provided dark paper for the printer; these changes were completed within a few weeks and she has since had a further two assessments over two years.

When the situation deteriorated she was provided with screen reading software JAWS. Access to work provided Zoomtext and Dragon.

In addition Jane has problems with fine motor skills which have deteriorated and started affecting her ability to write and to grip objects. She could initially walk independently with a walking stick, however, soon afterwards was unable to put any weight on to her legs. As well as providing the software, Access to Work provided funds for a mobility scooter which enabled greater independence.

Jane says: “I can now perform all aspects of my job including training the BBC call centre staff in Belfast and Glasgow. I am also able to process data much faster by voice than I ever could by hand”.

“With the adjustments that have been put in place, there are no barriers to my performance and all the feedback I have received from my managers is very positive.”

(www.bbc.co.uk)