Blind Merseyside Businessman Launches New Podcast Covering Equality Issues

Death rates from the pandemic show that more than half of those who have died had a disability.

A Blind man from St Helens, John Perry, who runs his own business has started a podcast focusing on equality, diversity and inclusion issues, covering local, national and international perspectives.

From 1968 to 1980, John attended St Vincent’s School for the Blind in Liverpool. Using Braille, he studied the whole range of academic subjects.

He then went on to the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford.

When he left Hereford, John gained qualifications in training and counselling. He has worked in a variety of roles in the voluntary and private sectors, supporting disabled people with a wide range of physical, emotional and sensory impairments.

John says: “I use my own ‘lived experience’ of disability to help other people. We all have a right to participate equally in society; I want to use my skills, knowledge and experience to help other disabled people to access the services and opportunities they are entitled to.”

Our Vision

Our vision is to see excluded people given the same opportunities in education, training and employment as everyone else.

We aim to promote practical, social and emotional change by providing tailored support to those who feel excluded from society owing to disability or long term health conditions.

We offer tailored 1-2-1 and peer support for disabled people and people with a long-term health condition covered by the Equality Act, their friends and family.

Services include;

Emotional and practical support

Providing a listening ear in a confidential and non-threatening environment

Help with college and job applications, along with volunteering

CV writing

Signposting to other services

Counselling, advocacy and life-coaching

Looking for and finding work

We’ll also be looking to offer volunteering, employment, self-employment and apprenticeship opportunities. If you are an employer and would like to consider working with us on this, please get in touch with us.

 John is currently presenting a radio show on LCR 106.7FM ‘In Focus’, focusing on disability and equality issues. He has launched a podcast from Focus, called the Imagine Podcast. The programme and podcast will be focusing on equality and diversity issues . The Equality Act 2010 cover the following 9 characteristics.

age

gender reassignment

being married or in a civil partnership

being pregnant or on maternity leave

disability

race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin

religion or belief

sex

sexual orientation

The Imagine podcast and In Focus programme will be produced on monthly basis. John is happy to hear from individuals, groups and organisations, who may wish to provide content or guest speakers.

 He is also looking for sponsors or someone to donate prizes. Might this be of interest to you?

 See below for some of the topics that we may be including and feel free to suggest some of your own. • Arts and Entertainment (I would be happy to hear from musicians, artists and writers to give them a platform to share their material) • Breaking News • Business • News • Promotion • Opinions/listeners slot • Humour • Sports • Community • Health and Wellbeing• Political Issues

Working with Walk on Water PR, John Perry is now offering a new service providing specialist advice, help and support on how to communicate effectively with disabled people. To find out more or for an informal discussion, you can contact John on 01744 453696 or via the website.

Why not visit his website

www.focusemployment.co.uk

or contact him on 01744 453696

https://lnkd.in/eMCfQaZ

At present the podcast can be accessed by youtube

https://youtu.be/3pObMir2-kI