Alex Stone: developments in technology have helped him in his career

Technology has really changed the way blind and partially sighted people can work.

The government has recognised this and gives disabled people grants to pay for equipment through its Access to Work scheme.

Roxanne Persaud, Director of Blind in Business says that "they've revolutionised the job opportunities available, just as technology has revolutionised the way people work in general."

"The opportunities that are now open to blind people are unimaginable, DJs, actuaries, accountants, lawyers, there are all sorts of roles."

Blind in Business says that one of the biggest problems is that companies, particularly smaller ones, do not realise how much financial help is available from the government, to pay for equipment that blind and partially sighted people may need to do the job.

Alex Stone has worked as a computer programmer for the high street bank HSBC for seven years. As someone who is completely blind, he too has benefited from advances in technology. He uses an ordinary PC, but has it fitted with a speech synthesiser and braille display.

"Fifteen or twenty years ago there is no way I would have been able to do the job that I'm doing now because things have moved on in such great steps," explains Alex.

Equipment like a braille notetaker can mean the difference between a blind person being able to do the job, or not.

And with government grants available, it needn't cost businesses a penny.