The unemployment picture

Posted on May 9, 2009 by Donna Jodhan

Hello there!  Hope everyone is getting ready to enjoy yet another lovely spring weekend.  We the team at www.sterlingcreations.ca are pleased to bring you an editorial by our president Donna J. Jodhan.  This editorial focuses on the unemployment picture among persons with special needs.

We wish you a great weekend.
 
The unemployment picture
 
This is a picture that does not seem to want to change.  It has been like this for too long and if we do not do anything about it in a concrete manner, then what?
 
As it stands today, over 70% of North Americans who are considered to be legally blind are unemployed and sadly this stat has not really changed for over 20 years now.  In addition, and on a per capita basis in comparison to the mainstream person and to others with disabilities, the majority of blind and visually impaired persons live below the poverty line; and there is more.  Blind and visually impaired persons are what they say at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to the employment of persons with disabilities.
 
Many companies and even governments often offer the reason that they are unable to find qualified blind and visually impaired applicants.  So many times I hear this quote:  “We don’t get blind applicants who are qualified enough.  Not many blind persons are qualified enough.”  In answer to this, I offer this opinion:  With more and more employers requiring applicants to complete online forms, it is so very difficult for blind and visually impaired persons to do this for the simple reason that these forms are not accessible and if a blind person decides to attempt the online application process, they need to depend on sighted assistance.  In addition to the online access barrier, there is the attitude barrier.  Two very daunting barriers; access and attitude.
 
So what do we do about this?  Time for us to stand up and be counted.  Time for us to unite as one and voice our concerns.  Time for us to be heard.
 
I’m Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and weekend.
To reach me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca and I would be delighted to send you an electronic copy of our latest newsletter.
 
Here is a complete list of where you can view Donna’s blogs and editorials.
Donna Jodhan!  advocating accessibility for all
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com 
a weekly feature on important answers to consumers concerns
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly blogs for language professionals and special needs business consultants
https://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html
a monthly editorial on business issues and concerns
https://www.sterlingcreations.ca/magazine.html 
weekly editorials on accessibility issues in Canada
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/editorials/donna.php
Editorials:  An International perspective on issues of accessibility and disability
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com (under the editorials section, an international perspective)
A general perspective on issues of access and accessibility
http://numpadplus.com/blog/?page_id=7 
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About Donna Jodhan

Donna Jodhan is an award winning blind author, advocate, sight loss coach, blogger, podcast commentator, and accessibility specialist.
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