Employment – your rights and support at work
If you are blind or partially sighted, you have legal rights at work and during recruitment. These rights are designed to ensure you are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged because of your sight loss.
This page gives a simple overview of those rights and explains where to find trusted, up-to-date information.
Your rights at work
Sight loss is recognised as a disability under the Equality Act 2010. This means employers must not treat you less favourably because of your disability and must take steps to remove barriers that could put you at a disadvantage.
These rights apply at all stages of employment, including:
- Looking for work
- Applying for jobs
- Interviews and assessments
- Starting work and continuing in a role
Reasonable adjustments
Employers have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees and job applicants. Reasonable adjustments are changes that help ensure you can apply for a job or do your work without being unfairly disadvantaged.
Examples of reasonable adjustments for blind and partially sighted people may include:
- Providing information in accessible formats
- Adjusting lighting or screen settings
- Supplying assistive technology or software
- Allowing flexibility for medical or disability-related appointments
- Making small changes to tasks or working arrangements
What is considered reasonable will depend on the role, the workplace, and the employer’s size and resources.
Questions about disability during recruitment
In most cases, employers should not ask about your health or disability before offering you a job. There are limited exceptions, such as:
- Asking whether adjustments are needed for an interview or assessment
- Checking whether you can carry out a task that is essential to the job
You do not have to disclose your sight loss unless you choose to. Deciding if and when to disclose is a personal choice, and different people make different decisions depending on their situation.
Access to Work
Access to Work is a government scheme that can provide practical and financial support if you are:
- In paid employment
- About to start a job
- Self-employed
Support may include help with specialist equipment, assistive technology, support workers, or travel costs related to your sight loss. Access to Work is often a key source of support for blind and partially sighted people at work.
Up-to-date information and application details are available through the GOV.UK Access to Work webpages.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit designed to help with the extra costs of living with a long-term health condition or disability, including sight loss. It is not based on whether you are working and is not means tested.
PIP can be paid to people who are:
- Aged 16 or over
- Under State Pension age when they first claim
If you are over State Pension age, a different benefit, Attendance Allowance, may apply instead.
PIP is intended to support with daily living and mobility needs. Many blind and partially sighted people are entitled to PIP but may not realise this.
Up-to-date information about eligibility and how to apply is available on the GOV.UK website. The RNIB website also provides guidance on applying for PIP with a useful toolkit to use when you apply.
Getting further advice
Employment law and benefits can change, and individual circumstances vary. For detailed, current advice, it is best to use trusted national sources.
RNIB provides clear information about employment rights, reasonable adjustments, and Access to Work for blind and partially sighted people. The RNIB Employment and Equality webpage and their helpline are a good starting point if you want to explore your rights in more detail.
Need local support?
If you would like to talk things through, our advisors can help you understand your options, find relevant information, and signpost you to further support.
You may also find our pages on preparing for work or applying for a job helpful if you are thinking about next steps or starting a job application.