A blind man who had to leave his job when he could no longer see his computer has been told he is fit for work again – in a letter written in small print.
Richard Alcock, 62, from Bury, Greater Manchester, took early retirement from his job as a local government clerk in a social services department because increased use of computers in his office meant he could no longer do his work.
After 28 years’ service in local government Mr Alcock, who has been registered blind after being diagnosed with congenital glaucoma before he was two, had to leave work and rely on benefits.
But earlier this month he passed a test set as part of the Government’s new welfare reforms to assess those who should or should not still remain off work and claim state handouts, and was told he should go back to work. The tests found he could lift one of his arms above his head, pick things up, stay in the same place for an hour, could control his bladder and ‘stay conscious’ whilst awake.’
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