At Fight for Sight, we believe blindness or vision loss shouldn’t be a barrier to opportunity. Yet the number of people in employment remains stubbornly low: fewer than 1 in 3 blind or vision impaired people in the UK is in paid work. The impact of this is devastating – economically, socially and in terms of well-being.
The purpose of the Digital Inclusion fund is to improve access to employment for blind and vision impaired people by driving digital inclusion at crucial points as people start to get themselves work ready and start or develop their careers.
We are proud to share the 4 projects that have been awarded this grant, all dedicated to delivering a step-change in people’s ability to know what’s out there, how to access and use it and how to take control of their own digital development.
Read on to hear more about the projects.
EyeT Transform Employment Project
By TAVIP and Visibility Scotland
The EyeT Transform Employment Project aims to develop a standardised, inclusive framework to improve access to employment and job retention for vision-impaired and blind people across the UK, particularly in roles that require digital skills such as using email, word processing software, web browsers and messaging apps.
This ambitious partnership will design and implement accessible skills assessment tools to identify participants’ current job readiness, digital skills and technology competencies, alongside a structured and accessible training framework tailored to vision-impaired and blind learners and focused on in-demand technology skills.
The project will also develop standardised delivery guidelines to support consistent implementation by training providers, employment services and partner organisations across the UK. By creating a clear and replicable model, the EyeT Transform Employment Project has the potential to strengthen pathways into employment and help ensure vision-impaired talent is better connected to opportunities in an increasingly digital workplace.
Project VIEW (Visual Impairment Experimental Workspace)
By Kirklees Visual Impairment Network
While AI poses employment risks, it also has the potential to open up innovative new pathways for people with sight loss to sustain, regain and progress in work, or to explore entrepreneurship. This exciting project recognises that opportunity and puts people with lived experience at the centre of shaping what meaningful, practical support can look like.
Working alongside partners including University of Huddersfield, local QTVIs and people with sight loss themselves, Kirklees Visual Impairment Network will collaboratively develop and deliver regular, small-scale experimental AI workshops and individual support over 34 months. Focused on practical workplace solution-finding, the project will create space for participants to build confidence, test ideas and explore how AI can support their ambitions for work and career progression.
Building on the organisation’s existing IT and assistive technology demonstrations service, this project takes a thoughtful and forward-looking approach to supporting people to regain, maintain or progress their work opportunities.
My VisAbility Employment Service
By My Sight Nottinghamshire
This recently established project gives people with sight loss the tools, skills and confidence needed to navigate the world of work with greater independence and ambition. Through a person-centred approach, My Sight Nottinghamshire supports people to develop their technology skills and knowledge so they can become work ready and move towards their career goals.
The project works closely with people to improve assistive technology skills, helping them become familiar with the most suitable access software, accessibility tools and apps for their needs. Participants are also supported to explore low vision equipment and practical adjustments, including lighting, that can make a real difference to everyday working life.
Alongside building digital confidence, the project helps people develop the technology skills needed to access employment, including setting up accounts and logins, uploading CVs and navigating employment websites. The team also works with employers to support people to remain in work, assisting with Access to Work applications, workplace adjustments, travel support and role-specific equipment recommendations.
Employability Support for Visually Impaired Job-Seekers
By Radical Recruit
This innovative project supports visually impaired jobseekers to become Product Managers, helping address the underrepresentation of visually impaired professionals in product design. By centring lived experience within the design process, the project recognises that more accessible products and services are created when the people shaping them reflect the communities who use them.
The project also responds to important gaps in affordable, open-source digital employability tools. Delays in Access to Work assessments and the high cost of assistive technology can create significant barriers for blind and visually impaired jobseekers trying to access online recruitment systems and the digital tools needed for independent employment.
Delivered in partnership with The Cloud Crew CIC, the initiative will explore how AI-enabled approaches can strengthen employability support for visually impaired people. Radical Recruit will provide recruitment and wraparound support through its established scholarship programme, including pastoral and post-placement guidance, while The Cloud Crew CIC will deliver Product Management awareness training and practical insight into research and design briefs.
By combining professional training, practical experience and AI-enabled innovation, the project will help participants build recognised skills and demonstrable experience, while also contributing to longer-term change in workplace inclusion and accessibility.
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