Russell backs more support for blind and partially-sighted workers

Blind and partially-sighted people are 15 times more likely to be unemployed, according to research.

A new document created by Skills Development Scotland and the RNIB aims to convince employers to take on more people with vision disabilities.

Template for Success identifies the challenges and barriers the group faces when moving into employment.

Education secretary Michael Russell backed the document saying partially-sighted and blind people faced some of the greatest challenges in work.

John Legg, RNIB director, said: "With the right support, blind and partially-sighted people can, and do, achieve amazing things in the workforce. Astrophysicist, physiotherapist, civil service policy officer, secondary school teacher - these are just some of the jobs being done by people with sight loss in Scotland today.

"But on average blind and partially sighted people remain 15 times more likely to be unemployed."