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Man sees job as new beginning
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| Nathan Williams with his guide dog Abbott |
A PARTIALLY-sighted Cwmbran man who almost gave-up hope he would ever find a job, has been given the chance to earn a living.
Nathan Williams, 41, had applied for all kinds of jobs - without any success at finding work.
But determined Mr Williams decided to seek help from a disability employment service and and he now works for the Her Majesty's Prison Service in Newport as an office administrator and telephonist.
Remploy helped Mr Williams overcome being rejected so many times. He said: "I had literally given up hope of finding the job that I wanted.
"I had applied for lots of jobs but many organisations simply didn't respond to the applications. This was very demotivating."
Mr Williams has very limited vision, after completely losing the sight in one eye when he was a young man.
He had previously worked as a telephonist so he wanted to get back to similar work, but was prepared to consider other opportunities, so Remploy helped him with job searches and application forms.
After he was selected for an interview, Remploy worked closely with the organisation to help make adjustments to the interview process that suited Mr Williams' limited vision.
Melanie Price from Remploy, said: "The Prison Service was extremely accommodating. Nathan uses specialist computer software so he can read the screen.
"The organisation provided us with the recruitment aptitude test so that it could be uploaded onto his computer to be completed.
"Success followed and Nathan is now accompanied in work every day by his guide dog, Abbott.
"He has built good relationships within the organisation and is an excellent team player."
Mr Williams said: "I am really enjoying my role. It's very different to anything I have done before.
"No two days are the same and I am constantly taking a variety of calls - which is great."
6:30am Thursday 27th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: doug, Cwmbran on 8:18am Thu 27 Mar 08
Mr Williams should is an example to all with his determination and self esteem. It's a pity the tens of thousands of parasites on benefits who are deemed able bodied cannot be bothered to get out of bed in the morning to find work.
Mr Williams should is an example to all with his determination and self esteem. It's a pity the tens of thousands of parasites on benefits who are deemed able bodied cannot be bothered to get out of bed in the morning to find work.
Posted by: Mervyn James on 9:52am Thu 27 Mar 08
In fairness, while I agree with the above statement generally, there are huge barriers for disabled people to overcome, this positive item was produced because it is such a rarity employers WILL make adaptations to accommodate disabled so they can work. All kudos to the prison service, but now it's time the other 99% did the same. Had the government not withdrawn funding help for equipment so disabled could work, and not foisted it all on employers who simply didn't want to know, a lot more disabled would be working. Sadly 60% of disabled are still not in regular employment. They are the only ones showing willing, employers and government, aren't. A number of employment agencies in Newport are virtually inaccessible to disabled so they can't get in to seek work. One was at the top of a flight of narrow stairs, and someone deaf or blind looking for work in Newport would never get past the door, because there is no support system for them to do it,they can't just walk in and ask for a job.... Take these barriers away, then, criticize those disabled not working or trying, until then there is no argument you can use to call them lazy or work-shy.
In fairness, while I agree with the above statement generally, there are huge barriers for disabled people to overcome, this positive item was produced because it is such a rarity employers WILL make adaptations to accommodate disabled so they can work. All kudos to the prison service, but now it's time the other 99% did the same. Had the government not withdrawn funding help for equipment so disabled could work, and not foisted it all on employers who simply didn't want to know, a lot more disabled would be working. Sadly 60% of disabled are still not in regular employment. They are the only ones showing willing, employers and government, aren't. A number of employment agencies in Newport are virtually inaccessible to disabled so they can't get in to seek work. One was at the top of a flight of narrow stairs, and someone deaf or blind looking for work in Newport would never get past the door, because there is no support system for them to do it,they can't just walk in and ask for a job.... Take these barriers away, then, criticize those disabled not working or trying, until then there is no argument you can use to call them lazy or work-shy.
Posted by: doug, Cwmbran on 1:38pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Mervyn. I certainly did not wish to infer that I was refering to disabled persons as being work shy in my previous post.
Too little is still being done to enable those disabled persons willing to work to find jobs.
Mervyn. I certainly did not wish to infer that I was refering to disabled persons as being work shy in my previous post.
Too little is still being done to enable those disabled persons willing to work to find jobs.
Posted by: mrs moth, pontypool on 9:32pm Fri 28 Mar 08
Nathan is a lovely man, I worked with him at LLoyds TSB and Abbot is a wonderful guide dog. I wish him all the very best.
Nathan is a lovely man, I worked with him at LLoyds TSB and Abbot is a wonderful guide dog. I wish him all the very best.
Posted by: mrs moth, pontypool on 9:32pm Fri 28 Mar 08
Nathan is a lovely man, I worked with him at LLoyds TSB and Abbot is a wonderful guide dog. I wish him all the very best.
Nathan is a lovely man, I worked with him at LLoyds TSB and Abbot is a wonderful guide dog. I wish him all the very best.
Posted by: aj4010, Wales on 11:58pm Wed 2 Apr 08
Well done, Tinkle-Smash!
Only Nathan will know that this is a genuine message from a dear old friend.
Hope to get down there to meet you and the new defender too!
As always,
Andy
Well done, Tinkle-Smash!
Only Nathan will know that this is a genuine message from a dear old friend.
Hope to get down there to meet you and the new defender too!
As always,
Andy
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