About us

actifsDV is one of the services offered by the French association apiDV (accompagner, promouvoir, intégrer les Déficients Visuels – support, promote and integrate the visually impaired), formerly GIAA (Groupement des Intellectuels Aveugles ou Amblyopes – group for blind or amblyopic intellectuals).

We support visually impaired people in their professional, training or educationnal issues. We use a dedicated and proven methodology since 2008, within regional job clubs called “club emploi”.
We inform and raise awareness in the employment and disability ecosystem to promote talent and fight against stereotypes.
We advocate for accessible business sites and softwares, an essential condition for full inclusion in employment.

Picture of a work meeting at actifsDV. Three groups of two are in the picture ; two groups of two are talking to each other in the background, while in the foreground, one is making a phone call, and another is using his computer.

Our observation

Visual disability is not well known, either by employers or by employment professionals in general. This lack of knowledge creates a reluctance to employ blind or visually impaired people and a very high unemployment rate among them. In France, among disabled workers, the unemployment rate is almost double (16%) the average rate of the active population. Among the visually impaired, it is estimated at 50%.

Our plea

To work, to have an activity, a profession, is to be present in the world, have a social existence, take charge, be self-sufficient; but also to be accomplished as a human being and as a citizen. This is why we are campaigning for access to employment for visually impaired, blind or partially sighted people. In the 21st century, with well-mastered digital compensation tools, we can study, work, train, go out, do sports, travel… in short, have a rich and varied social, cultural and intellectual life. However, internet websites and digital tools must be fully accessible to these compensatory tools.

42

companions

705

people accompanied

5

regional offices

An adapted methodology designed for the visually impaired

In order to help visually impaired people find employment, we have developed a methodology adapted to their needs, based on more than 10 years of experience. It takes place in 5 phases, in order to:

Take stock of their situation: clarify their objectives, identify any obstacles, bring out their skills and achievements, explain their expectations and priorities, inform them about possible compensation tools, direct them to specialized structures if necessary (digital upgrading, orientation and mobility training, etc.).
Help them develop a professional project which integrates their visual handicap.

Accompany them in their job search: prospecting, mobilizing their networks, enhancing their presence on social networks, boosting their CV and cover letters.
Prepare them for their interviews, in order to present their disability in a positive way and interact appropriately with recruiters.
Support them in their integration into employment or in their training. If necessary, raise awareness and inform employers or those involved in the training about the professional integration of blind or visually impaired people.

Each visually impaired person is supported by two companions, one being also visually impared and the other one not.

The “5 A’s”

Our experience in accompanying visually impaired people has enabled us to identify 5 behavioral criteria necessary to achieve a fully positive solution:

ACCEPTANCE of the disability, in the sense of “living with it”. It is not a matter of agreeing or being resigned, but of integrating the new elements that the visual handicap induces into one’s self-image. It is sometimes necessary to mourn the loss of one’s former life, but in a positive way, to preserve or regain a good self-image.
AUTONOMY in daily life, in travel, in the use of digital tools. It is a learning process that can be tedious, but it works!

ADAPTABILITY, as well as in the case of a progressive pathology. It is about adapting to new tools and techniques of compensation, being creative, being able to project oneself in the future, adapting to change.
VITAL ARDOUR is tenacity, enthusiasm, the ability to motivate oneself, to resist stress and frustration.
RELATIONNAL ABILITY is the ability to reach out to others, to explain one’s disability, to use diplomacy and empathy, while knowing how to speak up and impose oneself if necessary.

Helping and raising awareness among employers

In order to help employers to better understand the issue of visual impairment, actifsDV carries out “tailor-made” awareness-raising actions:

Raising awareness of managers and employees to visual impairment, through sensory or situation workshops (locomotion – low vision, with simulation glasses – introduction to Braille – presentation of new adapted technologies…).
Helping the integration of the future employee, civil servant, etc. by raising awareness and training the direct manager and the team on the specificities of visual impairment, information on workstation adaptation and possible financial aid, business software accessibility…
Accompanying employees who lose their sight during their career in their professional readjustment or repositioning.

Training and recruiting volunteers

The companion volunteers at actifsDV are people who work or have worked in all fields or lines of businesses, in the private or public sector, preferably with experience in management or in leading teams. They may also have worked in a private practice, in a medical or paramedical profession, in law or in other fields. They make a long-term commitment (minimum 2 to 3 years). Before being assigned to a VI, the companions are trained to discover visual impairment and its specificities as well as our methodology.

Picture of a meeting between a visually impaired person and his two companions.