I couldn't work for eight weeks because my DWP disability payments were delayed

A visually impaired young man had to wait eight weeks to start his first paid role because of delays to government funding to pay for vital equipment he needs to work.

Bilaal, a 21-year-old accounting and finance student in Sheffield, told Yahoo News his access to work scheme claim was delayed by two months, leaving him without the critical support he needed to do his job.

Bilaal isn't alone. Lengthy delays are affecting thousands of blind employees, the Royal National Institute of Blind People has said, with some people waiting up to six months for their claims to be approved by the government.

In May, the number of people waiting for their claim to be processed had nearly doubled to 40,000 in the space of four months. Without "timely and quality support", their job prospects are threatened, the charity has warned.

The challenges facing some young people's ability to work has come under the spotlight as the government unveiled its ambitious 'Get Britain Working' employment drive for young people this week.

It said the new policy would ensure no person aged 18-21 would be out of employment, education or training. However, it warned that young people who do not take up an employment or training opportunity could face sanctions.

It is unclear whether this would also impact people facing access to work delays.

Delays and issues

Bilaal has Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS), a genetic condition affecting his sight and weight.

He told Yahoo News he was not offered a single paid opportunity to work until Nicholson & Co, a Sheffield-based accountancy firm, saw his potential and provided him with the opportunity to gain practical experience in his field.

"When I first started working last year, I initially wanted to start in September. Access to work took so long to process my application that I didn't get to start until November," he told Yahoo News.

Bilaal said he cannot work without the "vital" grant.

"It allows me to work in many ways," he said. "I need speech software, and a magnifier on the computer.

"It also means I can grow more independent. It's things like making a cup of tea in the office. I now have a liquid level indicator. The machine beeps to let you know when the mug is full."

'The government needs to work on practical solutions'

Bilaal is the 100th intern to be supported by the Thomas Pocklington Trust and the RNIB through the Get Set Progress Internship programme.

The trust, which works with visually impaired people across the UK, said it has found there are willing employers of all sizes wishing to employ people who are blind and partially sighted, but do not have the support, knowledge, or experience to do so.

Now, any employer who signs up to their programme receives ongoing support from the charity while their workers gain invaluable work experience.

It has called on the government to hold up its end of the bargain and improve the access to work system, working with them to "find practical solutions".

Emma Hughes, director of services at the charity, told Yahoo News: “We call on government to work with us on practical solutions, such as our internship programme, and to increase the speed of claim processing in the access to work scheme.”

Bilaal said that only a few years ago he "would have never expected" to be supported in a paid role. Now he has ambitions to become an accounting consultant.

"I was worried when I first started because I've never been in employment. Now I'm in safe hands."

He said that if the government wants to get more young visually impaired people into work, "it's about having the right support."

"It can't just be random," he added.

He said that even with the hurdles, he is very happy in his role. "I'm learning, my employer is learning, and it's all worked out in the end."