A BLIND campaigner from Ealing is asking MPs not to cut the Access to Work scheme that helps people with disabilities secure jobs. 

Norin Khanna, of Hanger Lane, and other members of the Envision campaign group, went to the Houses of Parliament last week to tell politicians, including former home secretary David Blunkett, about the obstacles they have faced in accessing work.

The Access to Work fund helps people and employers cover costs of disabilities that might be a barrier to work.

The biggest single users of the fund are people who have difficulty seeing or hearing and Mr Khanna said any cuts would be a blow.

The 25-year-old Westminster Kingsway graduate, who was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in 2006, said: “We do not want to be cut off.

“With the scheme we get equipment we need for a job and we get a sighted person with us.

“If the scheme doesn’t exist then those in work might struggle as they will not have the equipment they need.”

Mr Khanna studied business management but has found it hard to find employment and is currently looking for a job.

He said the meeting was a good step in the right direction.

"The people we met were listening to out points which was very promising," he said.

“David Blunkett is going to take it further with other MPs and he gave us tips on how we can campaign further and improve our campaign.

“If successful we might try our campaign again for something else like transport issues and benefits for visually impaired.”

Envision is a network of young campaigners aged 18-30 from all over the UK, launched in 2013 to provide an opportunity for like minded campaigners to get together and campaign on issues affecting them.

Members decide upon and organise the campaigns and are supported by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

They meet up at various locations including the RNIB headquarters in London.