My name is Tess Braidner and I've been employed within Reach PLC, the group that owns Belfast Live. They offered me an internship scheme through the University of Ulster to help those with a disability get into work and give them a feel of what the workplace is like.
I have Retinopathy of Prematurity {ROP} and was born with this condition. Since then I have developed Glaucoma so get my pressure checked every so often to ensure that it is stable. I have found that due to being born with a visual impairment I have been able to adapt my life around it.
I wouldn't have been on this Boost Programme and a member of Reach PLC if it wasn't for the RNIB and my employment advisor, Clare Dixon. Clare supported me in discovering this programme and applying for it. As someone with a visual impairment, the RNIB has helped me in everyday life and within employment, they have encouraged me to live my life as normally as possible and with as few barriers as possible.
Prior to working for Belfast Live, I did a degree in Graphic Design and a PGCE in Teaching Learners with Additional Needs, and since then had done learning support work at various schools and colleges.
I have always loved helping people and wanted to execute this professionally by supporting learners in education mainly because I have had personal experience of barriers to learning and wanted to help them overcome these barriers just like me. However, doing this kind of work has come with its own challenges and I have realised that this career path isn't as straightforward as I was led to believe.
This is due to the fact that I have been made aware from institutions that I have worked for that health and safety is a concern when supporting certain learners with additional needs and in the event of a fire, I would need my own support evacuating the building as well as the student that I was supporting.
This in turn has meant that I have been given no more work and was forced to look for an alternative. However, I feel that this is a blessing in disguise because I have now been given the opportunity to be part of such a great and supportive company like Reach PLC.
Being visually impaired doesn't get me down as I have taken the initiative to use assistive technology such as magnification on computers or my mobile phone which has helped me do my current job at Reach PLC and helped me around the house or when I'm out and about.
Belfast Live has made me feel so comfortable in the workplace due to my colleague's warm personalities. They have remained easily approachable and have made reasonable adjustments in the workplace from the get-go, which in turn has made me feel included and that my visual impairment isn't a barrier to the work that I am producing here and how I'm presenting myself as an employee.
Prior to working for Belfast Live, I felt like I lacked confidence and felt anxious in the workplace due to this but the company has helped me eliminate this by presenting such a supportive environment. I have been encouraged to take initiative and been prompted to voice my ideas as a graphic designer.
Colleagues here have remained positive and given me feedback in a way that doesn't make me feel defeated. Working for Reach PLC has helped me develop new skills and improve on skills that I already had. I have experienced new things such as attending Stormont Hotel for a networking event and taking part in brainstorming sessions for major companies.
I feel accepted here and cannot praise Reach PLC enough! I'm so thankful and grateful that I have been given the opportunity to work for such a great company, gain valued experience, and growing as a person and professional.
I have learned to embrace my disability rather than see it as a disadvantage. I have found that I have been able to lead a relatively normal life given the statements that I have mentioned and in all honesty and if I had the choice all over again, I would choose to have my visual impairment.
This has not changed me as a person, nor has it changed the opinions of others once they have a greater understanding.
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