Let’s start off by making sure you, the reader, know something of my personal background: I enjoyed a 30-year career as an executive in the global manufacturing sector where we as an organization were among the earliest adopters of paperless operations during the early 90’s, and am totally blind.
Well, not “totally,” I guess. People tend to think blind people are forever “in the dark” as they see nothing but black, similar to what you see when you close your eyes.
I, however, see varying shades of white and gray. For example, I see something like a light-gray screen everywhere I look, but if the sun is brightly shining through an exterior window over to my left, the shade of gray I see to my left side may be a little lighter than the color tones to my right.
That may not sound like much, because it isn’t, but it does help me establish points for orientation. If I get turned around and lose my orientation, I can recover by moving so that the lighter gray shade returns to my left; Doing this helps me determine in which direction I am pointed.
It’s one of the countless tricks I’ve learned to use throughout my life that have allowed me to live, work, and be happy and successful.
I am not unique in this regard though. The vast majority of people who are blind, as well as those who are disabled, have developed personal tools that they expertly use to level the playing field with their sighted counterparts.
Waiting for the Opportunity
Blue Skies USA has embraced the cause of those who are Blind or Visually Impaired (BVI) and incorporated them into our talent acquisition efforts. We are committed to pairing these blind professionals with organizations who are willing to improve their workforces.
Did you know there are more than 600,000 BVI professionals within the United States who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher?
Yet astonishingly and despite the available tools that allow BVI professionals to comfortably exceed educational standards, the unemployment rate among them remains at 70%. That’s more than 400,000 unemployed, college-educated, workers!
What We Do About It
We are committed to applying our unique position and utilizing our recruiting platform to connect BVI professionals with firms of all sizes within industries of all types. If you believe in the value of diversifying your workforce, please consider one of the 400,000+ degree-holding blind or visually impaired professionals who are ready to become a valuable asset to your organization.
Qualifying criteria for our blind or visually impaired candidates includes:
- All are advanced users of screen reading software, which allow them to enjoy full access to the MS suite of Office products, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as PDF and other static files
- All take advantage of mobile screen readers built into their smart phones while on the go, with 76% of those using an iPhone
- All hold a bachelor’s degree or greater, with a GPA of 3.25 or greater
- All have highly refined mobility skills (white cane, guide dog, etc.)
- All are comfortable utilizing public transportation and/or ride sharing services
- All enjoy the skills necessary to travel both domestically and internationally
How It Works
First and foremost, I know what you are thinking: “This sounds great, but there’s no way I can hire a blind person! He won’t be able to do what we need.”
I assure you that you can hire him, and your organization will be better for it.
I am not only an expert on introducing a professional who is blind into your workforce, I am a living example of why and how doing so is a value-added service to your company. I will evaluate your work environment and help you make minor accommodations, if needed, that will allow a visually impaired team member to be your successful colleague.
In addition to our standard talent location and screening processes, our standard placement package also provides pre- and post-start date workshops for all management and departmental staff. Our seminars are designed to break down the stereotypes, perceptions, and assumptions people may innocently hold regarding those who are blind or visually impaired. Focusing on the true abilities of today’s blind professionals, our group and private coaching sessions replace the unknown with the known and relieve the apprehension many may have regarding working with a blind or visually impaired professional.
Such seminars and workshops are also available independently or before you elect to hire a BVI professional and teach with true relevance and practicality what Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are all about.
We see this as a partnership and will be by your side every step of the way making the acquisition and acclamation process effective, comfortable, and beneficial.
The bottom line: This is what Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is truly all about. Strengthening your workforce through the hiring of educated, qualified, loyal, and diverse individuals.
Please let us know if you would like to partner with us and help this group of professionals pursue their career aspirations!
Blue Skies USA is a workforce development firm that brings unrivaled recruiting, placement, training, coaching, executive retreats, and strategic consulting to your organization that will not break your budget (most of our services are free). Contact us and we’ll chat about your organization and decide together if a partnership is advantageous for us both!