After all barriers have been removed...

guy_dive

Hello,

How are you all?

I have a visual impairment that affects my detailed and reading vision. I have recently started a new job, and my manager and company have been great in providing technical adjustments. I think that they believed that if they provided all the technology that I could ask for that the effects of my impairment would be resolved.

However, I still have a visual impairment that affects my reading vision. No manner of technical solutions will enable me to work at the same rate as an able-bodied colleague. In my experience, accessibility equipment  gives access. To the able-bodied colleagues, they believe that it solves the impairment.

After a rather stressful period at work, I was forced to admit that I could not do the required role at the rate expected of others. After a further stressful period, they have found me a role that requires less of my vision, which is good. However, I'm afraid that I still can't ever meet their expectations for performing at the same speed as my colleagues.

In exams, I get time and a half. This doesn't apply in the working world. How do I square the circle and perform my role without Father Time constantly poking me in the back?  

In less metaphorical terms, how do I work with my new manager to set realistic  performance targets for the remainder of my probation? What do I say to any prospective Occupational Health assessor to make others understand that I can never work at the same rate as an able-sighted colleague?

I look forward to hearing your comments, as I'm sure many others are in the same boat (sorry another metaphor!)

SueHeath

Good afternoon @guy_dive welcome to our great group.
I am sorry i do not have the answer for you, but i know we have members who are very much in the know of these types of things. 
At the moment the site is having tech problems, which hopefully will be sorted soon, so please hang on in there and hopefully the said members will see your thread.
If your ready have a look around the site, we have lots going on, i for one love the virtual coffee lounge, we have lots going on.

janer1967

Hi there 

I suggest you request reasonable adjustments to complete your targets in a time frame suitable for your condition 

Was any of this discussed at interview or did you and they think the technology would solve the issue 

It seems they have been fair up to now so all you can do is see if they will allow more time for you to complete tasks 

They will have to give a valid reason to refuse this request but be aware they don't have to implement reasonable adjustments if this would be a detriment to the business 

Tori_Scope

Welcome to the community @guy_dive Thank you for joining us, and for telling us about your situation.

You've raised some interesting points here. I can see that janer1967 has already given you some advice on this. I'd hope that there'd be a way to find realistic targets that you both agree on!