Royal Society for the Blind SA Inc ADELAIDE

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Connections for Quality gives you information to help you choose the right provider for your needs. The sections on this page are the Service Quality Indicators. They tell you more about this provider and their services.

Our job seekers

The Royal Society for the Blind is the largest provider of free services to almost 12,000 people who are blind or vision impaired in South Australia. RSB Employment Services has been assisting people who are vision impaired to find or retain sustainable employment since 1994. RSB Employment Services assists individuals to prepare, seek & secure long-term meaningful employment. Jobseekers are assigned a case manager that can assist with the following: · Career planning, job applications, resume writing, Interview skills · Skills assessment · Apprenticeship & Traineeship information · Employer liaison · Adaptive Technology matching & training For students who have a vision impairment, RSB Employment Services staff can assist with the transition from school to work. RSB Employment Services also offers support through the Job in Jeopardy program to people who are at risk of losing their employment due to their vision loss, including those who are self-employed. Employers can also be provided with expert advice & support from RSB’s Employment Services. Workplace Assistance can be provided through: · Assessments to determine the level of support, equipment & software required · Purchase, installation & training of any recommended adaptive technology/equipment · Staff Awareness Training covering vision loss & eye conditions · Loan Equipment for immediate needs. Individuals are able to approach RSB Employment Services directly or seek a referral from Centrelink The RSB’s Employment Kiosk has been designed to meet the needs of vision impaired jobseekers, offering access to adaptive technology to enable people to search for employment independently. Each computer is equipped with the latest screen magnification and reader software, desktop magnifiers and internet access.

Our employers

RSB Employment Services has a team of specialist consultants who can assist employers in the following areas: · Recruitment · Assist existing staff with vision loss · Provide information & advice, including staff awareness sessions · Supply specialist equipment & adaptive technology at no cost · Wage subsidies · Ongoing support & training People who are vision impaired have been placed in a wide range of occupations & industries such as business, administration, call centres, retail, education, finance, health, hospitality, IT, law, government, manufacturing, etc. What does ‘blind’ mean? Most individuals with a vision impairment will have varying degree of vision depending on their visual field loss & acuity, known as low vision. Only 2% of people are totally blind. How do employees with a vision impairment utilise a computer? Screen magnification & screen reader software assists people with reduced or total vision loss to effectively operate computers. A wide range of Adaptive Technologies are available to employees & employers through RSB. How do I ensure the safety of my employees? Employees who are vision impaired should undergo standard OH&S training within your workplace. Existing employees may benefit from an awareness session at a staff meeting. What is the Workplace Modification Scheme? Is a scheme designed to assist employees who are vision impaired with the use of specialist adaptive technology & equipment. This scheme supports employees to undertake their duties in the workplace at no cost to the employer or employee. What is the Supported Wage Scheme? Is a scheme to assist employees who are not able to reach full productivity. Individuals’ wages are assessed against productivity standards & a proportionate wage is paid, based on the assessment.

Our networks

The RSB provides a full range of services for people who are blind or vision impaired including: 1) RSB Low Vision Services · Low Vision Centre · Low Vision Awareness Sessions · Information for Medical Professionals · Low Vision Products both at our Low Vision Centre and also via RSB’s Online Shop 2) RSB Adaptive Technology · Adaptive Technology Centre · Digital Audio Players · Braille Training · Computer Training · Transportable Electronic Magnifiers · Electronic Magnification · Portable Magnification · Scanning/Reading Equipment · Software · Computer Connectables · Adaptive Technology Grants & Equipment Loan Pools 3) RSB Community Services: · Advocacy · Accommodation Support · Child & Youth Services · Independent Living Training · Information & Referral · Digital Library Service · Mobility Services · Community Support Groups · Peer Support Program · Recreation & Leisure Services · Counselling · Community Education · Future Solutions · Talking Newspaper Service · Print Alternatives Services 4) RSB Guide Dog Services · RSB Guide Dog Service · Guide Dogs and the Law 5) RSB Business Services · Industrial Services 6) RSB Volunteer Services · Volunteer Services & Supports 7) RSB also works with other organisations in the community including: · Other Generalist Employment Providers - for support and specialist advice on vision impairment. · Excel Training with the Productivity Placement Program and Skills for All. · Eye care professionals both in terms of Optometrists & Ophthalmologists. · Deaf SA · Can Do for Kids/Townsend House · Blind Welfare Association (BWA) · Blind Sports · Australian Blindness Forum · World Blind Union Asia Pacific Equipment Exchange · DFC Guide: Keeping Safe in Emergencies · Other SA organisations for any support needs that clients require. · Link

Our performance

RSB Employment Services has been providing specialist Disability Employment Services to people who are blind and vision Impaired since 1994. As a specialist provider, RSB is able to provide tailored and individualised support to people who are blind or vision impaired to find or retain employment, by working with RSB’s Employment Consultant who are trained and specialise in vision loss and vision impairment. RSB Employment Services has consistently performed at high level to help find or retain people with a vision impairment in employment, with RSB Employment Services successfully maintaining a star rating of 3. RSB Employment Services has not only assisted people who are vision impaired to find work in the community, but has assisted people diagnosed with vision loss to retain their employment through the Job in Jeopardy program. In 2011 - 2012, RSB assisted over 70 people to retain their employment through the Job in Jeopardy program. This is reflected in the large percentage of people who are vision impaired that access this service, which equates to nearly 33% of people participating in the RSB Employment Services program. RSB Employment Services has established a good working relationship with Department of Social Service and has recently been successful in tendering for business expansion for the period 2018-2023. RSB Employment Services receives excellent feedback from clients, employers and adaptive technology equipment suppliers resulting in word of mouth referrals and repeat customers

About us

The Royal Society for the Blind is a not-for-profit organisation providing services to South Australians who have a severe vision impairment. These services are delivered by a professional, committed & highly qualified team supported by volunteers, drawn from all age groups & walks of life. Blindness or vision impairment can have a severe impact on a person's lifestyle. The RSB is here to assist people to overcome their vision impairment & participate independently in the community. The quality & effectiveness of our services is assessed annually through independent client surveys. As our results show, we have continued to provide a high level of client satisfaction over a sustained period of time. · Satisfactions with services: 94.4% · Satisfaction with staff & volunteers: 95% · Improvement in one’s quality of life: 83% Vision: To be the primary responsive quality service provider to South Australians who are blind or vision impaired. Mission: The RSB is the primary source of assistance giving people with a vision impairment the opportunity to improve the quality and independence of their lives History: It began with a blind man’s vision. It took the vision of a blind man to truly appreciate the needs of people who were blind in SA & understand the plight they faced in the late 19th century. Andrew Whyte Hendry, who was blinded after a childhood accident, had the conviction & determination to start an industrial training school for the blind in 1884, which has steadily grown & flourished into the multi-faceted RSB of the 21st Century. Through 127 years of supporting SA’s blind & vision impaired community, the RSB has grown from an ambitious employment and training centre, to be the primary provider of services to more than 12,000 people who are vision impaired.