Benefits of hiring people who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or Low Vision

Learn why hiring or keeping employees with visual disabilities improves your business.

According to the US Office of Personnel Management, hiring people with disabilities in the workplace encourages:

  • Cost reduction
  • Employee retention
  • Creativity
  • Natural Problem-Solving
  • Organizational Flexibility

How do employees with visual disabilities contribute to my business’ success?

Studies show that companies that employ individuals with disabilities gain:

  • Skilled employees. Employees with disabilities learn to persevere and develop problem-solving and people skills as part of managing a disability.
  • Solid performance. Statistically, employees with disabilities have better retention rates.
  • Cost saving. Workers with disabilities are rated consistently as average or above average in performance, quality and quantity of work, flexibility, and attendance.

What will it cost me to accommodate employees who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or have Low Vision?

Businesses who have never hired Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision employees tend to overestimate accommodation costs and complexity. State agencies, like the Department of Services for the Blind (DSB), can help negotiate equipment and training costs.

Also, businesses who hire people with disabilities may be eligible for federal tax incentives. Businesses should consult their accountants, tax advisors, or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to determine eligibility.

What can the DSB do for me?

DSB provides:

Staff Training

Train staff and organizations on accessibility etiquette, disability culture awareness, accommodations, 508 compliance, and workplace incentives.

Accessibility Consultation

Our team of specialists conduct jobsite evaluations and can provide recommendations for assistive technology, physical environment and policy assistance.

Sourcing and Staffing Assistance

We can meet your business where it’s at and create an individualized plan for your staffing and talent needs.

Employee Retention

We assist businesses with upskilling and retention of valued staff.

 

For more information on what DSB can do for you and your business, contact us at 800-552-7103 or bizsolutions@dsb.wa.gov.