Colchester worker in blind training to improve customer service (From Gazette)

Colchester worker in blind training to improve customer service

4:36pm Tuesday 4th September 2012 in News

A COLCHESTER worker found out what it would be like to be blind as part of a drive to improve customer service.

61-year-old Richard Shave, who works for the National Grid, took part in visual awareness training, laid on by Action for Blind People and RNIB, at Newmarket Racecourse.

Last Thursday, he joined colleague Clive McCarthy, in trying to get a better understanding of visual impairment in order to offer a better service to partially sighted people.

The pair took it in turns to be a sighted guide around some mock gas work sites.

Mr Shave said: “It has been a really worthwhile experience.

“It helped us to understand the difficulties that visually impaired people have to deal with each day.”

Fran Stockley, of Action for Blind People, said: “We’re really grateful to National Grid for its forward thinking attitude, recognising the customer service benefits of understanding challenges associated with sight loss.”

Businesses who want to get involved with Action for Blind People, which provides sighted guide training and advice on how to adapt the workplace for visually impaired employees.

To get in touch, call 01603 455767 or email eastanglia@actionforblindpeople.org.uk.