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Blind people and the new WCA test

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12 years 9 months ago #61003 by Terminal6
Blind people and the new WCA test was created by Terminal6
Given the harsher WCA since March, I would appreciate any feedback from blind people who have recently been converted from IB to ESA. My guess is that only questions 7 and 8 are relevant, my guess is also that 15 points is hard to score. My guess is based on the following: if you can understand where the fire escape is, nil points, and if you can navigate there once it is familiar, just 9 points. However, any feedback on how this actually goes down at the WCA would be appreciated. I have pasted questions 7 and 8 below for quick reference to help the screen reader user.
7. Understanding communication by both verbal means (such as hearing or lip reading) and non-verbal means (such as reading 16 point print) using any aid it is reasonable to expect them to use; unaided by another person.
7 (a) Cannot understand a simple message due to sensory impairment, such as the location of a fire escape. 15 points.
7 (b) Has significant difficulty understanding a simple message from a stranger due to sensory impairment. 15 points.
7 (c) Has some difficulty understanding a simple message from a stranger due to sensory impairment. 6 points.
7 (d) None of the above apply. 0 points.

8. Navigation and maintaining safety, using a guide dog or other aid if normally used.
8 (a) Unable to navigate around familiar surroundings, without being accompanied by another person, due to sensory impairment. 15 points.
8 (b) Cannot safely complete a potentially hazardous task such as crossing the road, without being accompanied by another person, due to sensory impairment. 15 points.
8 (c) Unable to navigate around unfamiliar surroundings, without being accompanied by another person, due to sensory impairment. 9 points.
8 (d) None of the above apply. 0 points.

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12 years 9 months ago #61033 by woodsie
Replied by woodsie on topic Re: Blind people and the new WCA test
Hi! Martin.
With regard to the fire escape question.
The simple message could be "Leave by the fire escape on the right". My argument would be where on the right how far; is it the first exit or the third ,do you cross a walkway, is it on the same level are there any steps.
But no doubt that will be shot down as being able to understand the message but not carry it out.
With regard to familiar surroundings my dog takes me on three routes but all other familiar places i need assistance. The same with crossing the road pelicans i can do with the dog others i need assistance if it ever comes(i carry a your help welcome card and people just walk by even if i ask Cause they think he cant see me and doesn't know who i am so ill say nothing and ignore him) not many people help these days as everyone lives in their own bubble.

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12 years 9 months ago #61166 by Terminal6
Replied by Terminal6 on topic Re: Blind people and the new WCA test
Thank you Matchseller, although the DWP decision maker could say you have demonstrated you can navigate familiar places, indeed as many as 3, and you have just completed a potentially hazardous task, by crossing one road. This theoretical stuff shows our need to know what is happening in practice. The law is an ass, but I guess we need to understand the DWP's interpretation,, though how navigating to the postbox or toilet for that matter, actually helps you do a job I'm not sure.

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12 years 9 months ago #61476 by woodsie
Replied by woodsie on topic Re: Blind people and the new WCA test
Hi! Martin.
They know as well as we do the limitations of sight loss.
The ability to get from point A to point B with or without assistance has NO relevance with regard to employment.
The number of work opportunities for visually impaired people is limited compared to people with normal sight no matter what the government says.
That is the distintion that they appear not to wish to acknowkledge and one that will place large numbers of visually impaired people on JSA with no hope of ever getting off!

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