By: Wyles Daniel
In the United States, a persistent employment gap reflects missed opportunities for both individuals and industries. NSITE, a nonprofit known for its innovative workforce solutions, believes the broader employment landscape reveals a paradox.
On one side, US employers often face challenges in finding qualified talent. On the other side, skilled professionals who are blind or visually impaired are frequently overlooked, even though they’re eager to contribute. As of 2024, 10% of people aged 16 to 64 with vision difficulty were unemployed, compared to only 4% of those without vision difficulty.
NSITE recognizes that these figures point to structural barriers, outdated assumptions, and a limited understanding of what true accessibility involves. Many employers still underestimate the ease and affordability of workplace accommodations. A long-running study by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a service of the US Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, found that over half of workplace accommodations incurred no cost to implement. Nearly 40% involved a one-time expense, most often around $300.
NSITE emphasizes that in reality, assistive technology has advanced significantly, and most adjustments are minor, affordable, and quick to implement. These changes offer lasting improvements for individuals and businesses. Yet their impact is notable, benefiting both blind and neurodivergent individuals, as well as improving organizational performance.
Adding to the issue is how accessibility is commonly framed as a compliance requirement. “Some companies view accessibility as something to ‘check off’ to meet legal obligations, but it’s far more than that,” says Dr. Jonathan Lucus, Executive Director of NSITE. “Creating an accessible workplace is a smart strategy for innovation, retention, and organizational resilience. When companies focus on accessibility, they invite in fresh perspectives that can drive growth and transformation.”
Supported by its parent organization, the National Industries for the Blind (NIB), NSITE works across the entire employment lifecycle to transform how companies engage with candidates who are blind or visually impaired. It ensures both sides are set up for long-term success.
Job seekers can benefit from training programs designed to prepare them for high-demand fields, equipping them with valuable, in-demand skills. Meanwhile, employers can access customized consulting services that help them integrate accessibility into their operations. This involves evaluating everything from recruitment practices to workplace technology, with a practical focus on implementation, sustainability, and long-term impact.
NSITE helps employers rethink accessibility, not as a cost, but as an opportunity. It educates leaders on how modern assistive technologies and practices require minimal effort to implement but provide significant benefits to both employees and businesses. Through these strategies, companies can make a measurable impact, contributing to a more inclusive society.
Besides training and consulting, NSITE offers flexible staffing and outsourcing services, allowing companies to tap into talent through direct hire, contract work, or long-term solutions. These services provide scalable options to meet specific needs. Its consulting division also supports leadership development in workforce integration, accessible digital design, and organizational growth strategies.
Indeed, addressing the employment gap for people who are blind or visually impaired is a wise business strategy. NSITE’s work illustrates that when companies stop viewing accessibility as a challenge and start embracing it as a strength, they can unlock potential that benefits everyone, fostering innovation, inclusivity, and long-term success.
Lucus underscores, “We remain committed to serving as a bridge between a significantly underemployed population and the organizations looking to diversify and strengthen their workforce. But what we do is more than employment. It’s about empowering people to succeed in roles that align with their potential, interests, and goals.”
