"A horrific gap that blights lives, scars our economy and holds our nation back and yet, despite its scale, it seldom gets a mention in any media. It's quite simply this - the employment gap for blind and sight-impaired people compared to their non-disabled counterparts. If, like me, you are blind or sight-impaired and of working age in the UK you will only have a 27% chance of being in employment. That compares to 83% if you are non-disabled - more than just "mind the gap"."
"All that is required is for relevant technologies to be inclusive by design - developed, deployed, maintained and supported in an enabling environment. Screen readers and organisations' intranets, for example, need to be usable as well as accessible; employers' software and IT systems interoperable and inclusive - to name just a few from the myriad of empowering possibilities."
"Sure, there are systemic difficulties. Certainly, there are barriers and blockers that kick in well before any of us get close to the labour market. But, right now, technologies and technologists hold so much potential for being one of the most powerful forces in addressing and assisting in closing this gap."
There is a large employment gap for blind and sight‑impaired working‑age people in the UK, with only a 27% employment rate compared with 83% for non‑disabled people. Since 2018 the employment rate has been falling for people who describe themselves as having difficulty seeing, while overall employment has risen. The gap causes lost income, independence and opportunity for thousands who are willing and able to work. Multiple barriers exist before people reach the labour market. Inclusive technology design, interoperable employer systems, usable screen readers and accessible intranets can help close the gap if deployed and supported.
Read at ComputerWeekly.com
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