Inspiring visually-impaired entrepreneur, 22, sets up consultancy to help others

A young man from Cardiff has used his personal experience of living with a visual impairment to start his own business which aims to support organisations to cater for the needs of visually impaired customers.

Daniel aged 22 from Bath, now living in Cardiff, intends to provide training and consultancy services to businesses across the UK to help them allow them to better engage with customers living with a visual impairment.

Daniel was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a hereditary condition causing a gradual loss of vision, at the age of eight. During his school years Daniel experienced bullying and had difficulty coping with his visual impairment and not being able to enjoy the same experiences as his peers, such as, learning to drive. Daniel began to accept his condition after attending the Royal National College for the Blind in Herefordshire where he met lots of inspirational people who taught him to focus on what he could do rather than what he couldn’t. From a young age he dreamed of being a policeman, however he later realised this wouldn’t be possible due to his visual impairment. After college Daniel progressed onto University where he undertook studies to learn more about supporting those with a visual impairment to become more independent.

Since leaving University Daniel has worked but has not sustained employment. He has experienced some negativity from former employers who sometimes thought he was less capable due to his visual impairment.

These experiences motivated Daniel to set up Visualise Training and Consultancy which aims to improve an organisation’s awareness, knowledge and confidence when dealing with people with a visual impairment. It delivers accredited training, premises accessibility checks and a mystery shopper service provided by visually impaired shoppers.

It hasn’t been an easy process but Daniel’s determination is inspiring. Daniel was recently appointed a Business Wales role model, and has also recently launched a petition to the Welsh Assembly, urging them to consider compulsory disability awareness training for employees working in customer-facing roles.

Daniel explained: “The last six months have been difficult facing a range of different barriers trying to set up in business, however this didn’t stop me. There was no option for me to give up as I wanted to pursue a career that I am passionate about, which is making a difference within society for the better. I felt degraded by being labelled ‘unable to work’ this motivated me to strive towards achieving my dreams and aspirations just like anyone else. I am determined to be successful and I will keep working to achieve success. When conducting my market research speaking to employers and employees, many stated they would be unsure of what to do or say when dealing with someone who has a visual impairment. In addition I found a statistic that 9 out 10 employers would find it difficult or impossible to employ someone who was blind or partially sighted, which I found shocking, and thought these perceptions need to be changed and I want to work with employers and employees to change these and create positive change.”

Over the past few months Daniel has been tirelessly trying to up skill in order to ensure his new venture is a success and to secure initial start-up funding so he can make the jump from unemployed to entrepreneur.

The Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates said: “I have been struck by Daniel’s truly inspirational story. Not once has he wavered from his ambition of improving the customer experience for visually impaired people. He has faced and overcome every obstacle with positivity, determination and tremendous resolve. Daniel refused to accept that his visual impairment should ever prevent him from following his chosen career path.“

Daniel Williams is taking part in the World of Learning Conference and Exhibition, NEC Birmingham, 30th September - 1st October.

Daniel’s quotes:

“My aim is to make a more inclusive society for blind and partially sighted people, I want disabled to be enabled and no longer disabled”.

“There are currently 2 million people living with a visual impairment in the UK, however this is due to increase to 4 million by 2050 due to people living longer, increasing diabetes and obesity. This means that organisations need to be more aware and start to make positive changes to support these potential customers”

“you can do anything you want in this world if you put your mind to it you need positive people surrounding you and determination and if you get knocked down well dust yourself off and get back up again.”

“everyone deserves to have a purpose in life and if you really want to achieve something you need to get out there and pursue what you want to achieve and don’t let people put you down”

“I don’t want to moan about the problem I want be part of the solution and improve service provisions for blind and partially sighted people to make a more inclusive society.”

Notes for editors 

Daniel is from Bath, United Kingdom originally but now resides in Cardiff.

“9 out of 10 employers rate blind and partially sighted people difficult or impossible to employ (DWP,2004)”

Public relations: Owen Derbyshire (Twenty One Communications), [email protected], 07807 210 852, 02920 196 798.