THE Royal National College for the Blind opened a city centre point of contact on Monday where businesses can learn more about employing blind and partially-sighted people.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Hereford MP Paul Keetch said: ''Those of us who live in Herefordshire are well aware of the great work done by the 'blind college'. With the opening of this office, the message goes out loud and clear that people of all capacities and ages can benefit from such a gateway to the world of work.''

Mr Keetch thanked the backers of RNC Business Services at the Fred Bulmer Centre in Wall Street - Advantage Business Supplies and The Round Table.

College principal Roisin Burge said: ''This is a very big day in the 130-year history of the college. Only one in four blind and partially-sighted people are in work. By moving this service out into Hereford city centre, a point of contact is provided for employers and potential recruits.''

To launch its new Business Services office, the Royal National College for the Blind, is assisting a number of local companies and organisations, including Herefordshire Council, to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act on visual impairment.

Other services include:

l Making websites more accessible for users with visual impairment.

l Making printed literature accessible for clients with sight loss.

l Highlighting the range of enabling technology, ICT equipment and software which employees with a visual impairment can use in the workplace.

l Easing the administrative burden of companies by inviting them to outsource IT and clerical tasks to the RNC Business Service's team of administration, customer care and IT trainees who can take on some of the workload.

For more information on RNC Business Services contact RNC marketing manager Cathy Fletcher on 01432-376622 or email CF@RNCB.ac.uk