This short film follows one person who has kept their sight loss hidden at work for a long time, and the warm response they receive when they finally talk to their manager.
Transcript
Laughing it off at the water cooler, I made a joke of everything. Inside, I was cross with myself. Hiding my cane in my bag, I squinted and asked friends to read. I told myself I was nothing like other blind people. Then I handed over my car keys and said I preferred the bus. I felt smaller and more alone.
It is all over, I will lose my job. I am the only one. Nobody will understand. I was wrong about every single one.
I asked my manager for ten minutes. Then I said, “I am blind and I have been hiding it for a very long time.” She said, “Thank you for trusting me with it. You are the same person I hired and I am glad you told me.” She asked, “What would make your working day easier?” I cried in the lift, the good kind of tears.
We arranged a workplace assessment and the cane came out of my bag. Now I walk freely with it. I am not what I cannot do. I am blind. I am very good at my job and I am proud of both. If this is you, you do not have to hide.
A workplace assessment gives you and your manager a calm, practical way to talk about what would make the working day easier, with changes set up properly for you. If you or someone in your team is visually impaired and would like expert, tailored support to stay productive and comfortable at work, visit https://visualisetrainingandconsultancy.com/workplace-assessments/visual-impairment-workplace-assessments/ to arrange a visual impairment workplace assessment.