Employment Services
Goal of Service
The Employment Service’s goal is to assist South Australians who are blind or vision impaired to obtain sustainable employment.
Services Provided
The Employment Services team provides a range of services to assist individuals to prepare for work, obtain and retain employment, including:
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the Student Transition Employment Program (STEP)
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vocational counselling
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pre-employment training
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job search assistance
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negotiating with employers
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workplace modifications
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purchase of specialist equipment
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post placement support
The service also assists those persons who are in employment and whose job is in jeopardy due to vision loss to remain in that employment.
Location
First Floor, Knapman House, 230 Pirie Street, Adelaide.
Eligibility
Any person who has a significant vision impairment.
Referrals
Individuals are able to approach Employment Services directly or can be referred by Centrelink.
For more information please contact the LVC on 8232 4777.
See also:
Adaptive Technology Centre
Low Vision Centre
Career Planning
Employment Case Managers utilise a variety of processes to ensure our services cater to the individual needs of our clients. We specialise in providing vocational counselling whereby Case Manager’s work one on one with clients to:
- Explore skills and interests
- Gather education details
- Identify further training options
- Establish realistic job goals
Job Search Services
Job Search
- Develop job search plan
- Preparation of resume
- Application letters and mail outs
- Interview skills and preparation
- Canvassing employers and networking assistance
- Work experience/work trials
Job Search Centre (KIOSK)
The Job Search Centre is fully equipped with Adaptive Technology (magnification and screen reading software) and our clients have access to:
- Internet and Website facilities
- National vacancy database
- All major newspaper vacancies
- Yellow and white pages
- Telephone services
The Kiosk facility allows our clients to be able to access and apply for jobs using their own print format and to search for employment independently.
Job Placement Services
Our experience over many years has assisted vision impaired job seekers into successful employment outcomes.
In recent years, the Employment Services Division has placed in excess of 120 clients annually.
While the industries vary, typical placements include:
- Child Care
- Clerical
- Industrial
- Process and assembly
- Stores
- Retail
- Call Centre
- Aged Care
- Various traineeships/apprenticeships
Once suitable employment has been negotiated with a potential employer our staff endeavour to assist clients to make a comfortable transition into the workforce by:
- Completing Worksite Assessments as necessary
- Arranging for Workplace Modifications and Adaptive Equipment as required
- Negotiating a Wage Subsidy if required
- Arranging mobility training
- Planning ongoing supports
Loan Pool Equipment
The RSB has an extensive loan pool of specialist equipment which can be utilised until similar equipment can be purchased.
Student Transition Employment Program (STEP) 
As students move closer to leaving school, the future, whether it be further study or finding employment, becomes increasingly important. The RSB recognises this and has developed a program to help students during this crucial period.
The Student Transition Employment Program offers a range of services to students, school vocational counsellors, parents and teachers to assist students in gaining employment or beginning tertiary studies.
Work experience placements can be organised as part of the year 10/11 school negotiated curriculum plan.
Tertiary Student Service
Through the Student Transition Employment Program the RSB offers a range of services and advice to those considering further study, prior to seeking employment.
- General information on tertiary courses
- The impact of study on future employment opportunities
- Liaison with student support services at University, TAFE or RTOs (Registered Training Organisations).
Indigenous Employment Program
The RSB is committed to assisting Indigenous Australians with a vision impairment by:
- Acknowledging the barriers Indigenous Job Seekers face when seeking employment
- Improving access to employment, education and training through the provision of specialist services
- Assisting Indigenous Job Seekers to achieve their career goals
- Increasing our understanding of the identity and experiences of Indigenous Australians
Decision making choices and control
You are encouraged to actively participate in planning the service you receive. Together with your Case Manager you will be able to discuss the options available and develop an effective service plan.
Relevant information about your Job Search Program will be retained on your confidential file which you can view at anytime by appointment.
Post Placement Support Service
The RSB offers ongoing on the job support to clients until they have reached a satisfactory level of independence and they are confident in the work being undertaken.
Jobs in Jeopardy Service
The RSB assists many clients whose employment may be in Jeopardy due to a deterioration in their vision or a sudden vision loss.
We provide intervention services by:
- Employer and employee consultations
- Worksite evaluations
- Adaptive Technology client assessments
- Short term loan pool equipment
- Purchase of specialist equipment and adaptive technology
Case Study - Miriam’s Story
Miriam is a Legally Blind client, who had been unable to work since 1992 due to severe ill-health. As she is unable to drive, Miriam was seeking employment in the Murray Bridge area where she lives.
Because of her lack of recent experience, it was identified that Miriam needed work experience, to boost her confidence and to show potential employers that she was work ready. One of Miriam’s work experience placements was at Community Lifestyles Inc. a disability organization based in Murray Bridge. They were able to provide her with ongoing work experience, doing administrative duties 3 days per week. After nine months of voluntary work, Miriam was offered a two year part-time Traineeship.
During her work experience Miriam was provided with Adaptive Technology from our Loan Pool to assist her with her duties, and when she became an employee we were able to purchase the equipment for her through an application to Workplace Modifications.
Payment of a wage subsidy, funded through the Job Network, was an extra incentive for the employer to put Miriam on. At the conclusion of the Traineeship Miriam will have gained a Certificate in Office Administration.
Case Study (RSB/Employer Relationship)
The RSB Employment Services wishes to acknowledge Bunnings, Kent Town as a valued employer who currently has three permanent staff members with a vision impairment employed in their store.
In 1994 the RSB arranged for a client to undertake a work experience placement with Bunnings and as a result he was successful in securing permanent employment in the Storeroom. He is now employed in the retail side of the business assisting customers in the gardening department. Initially the RSB were able to assist with worksite assessments, adaptive technology, wage subsidies and post placement support.
As a result of the RSB providing vocational training and employment support, we were again able to assist two clients to secure employment with Bunnings at Kent Town, one in retail and the other in the timber area.
The RSB is proud to have worked with Bunnings to assist three persons with a vision impairment to become independent in the workplace.
Adaptive Technology Centre
The RSB’s Adaptive Technology Centre has the latest equipment available for blind and vision impaired people.
The Adaptive Technology staff are able to provide individuals with an adaptive technology and skills assessment service which identifies:
- The current skill level of individuals
- Adaptive Technology options for study or employment purposes
- Recommendations for any training required
Supported Employment
The RSB has an industrial factory at Gilles Plains which offers opportunities for clients to work in supported employment conditions. This service has a range of employment options including plastic blister moulding, packaging and general production/sub-assembly.
Royal Society For The Blind Industrial Services
The RSB is extremely proud of its track record in employment services and assisting blind and vision impaired South Australians into open employment.