Recognizing the significant unemployment issues facing individuals who are blind or visually impaired in the United States, DirectEmployers Association recently sat down with representatives of Bosma Enterprises and its Visionary Opportunities Foundation to discuss the challenges facing this demographic and potential solutions. The discussion formed part of the DE Talk podcast and focused on providing solutions and creating opportunities for visually impaired individuals to better integrate into the workforce. The conversation underscored the fact that despite there being over 20 million Americans who are blind or visually impaired, a staggering 70% unemployment rate plagues this community.
The participants in the discussion were Jeff Mittman and Brandon Wells, representatives of Bosma Enterprises and its Visionary Opportunities Foundation, an Indiana-based organization committed to serving as a positive force for change and empowerment for the blind or visually impaired.
During the discussion, they emphasized on the societal misconceptions and barriers that play a significant role in hindering employment opportunities for visually impaired individuals. The conversation, while illuminating the challenges, also picked on the potential avenues that could be leveraged to help visually impaired individuals find employment.
An important aspect that was discussed was the impact of negative stereotypes and lack of understanding by employers. Many are not aware of the fact that visually impaired individuals are capable of performing a wide variety of jobs, particularly with technological advances that have made workplaces more accessible. The podcast revealed that a deeper educational investment into societal perception and employer attitudes is required to improve the employment rate for this segment of the population.
By engaging in these discussions and taking further steps to address the issues raised, it is hoped that we can progress towards a more inclusive, understanding, and supportive employment environment for visually impaired persons everywhere. You can listen to the full discussion on DirectEmployers Association’s DE Talk podcast via JD Supra.