Story
A workspace that works for everyone
For employees who are blind, a few simple tools get the job done.
In his position as vice president of talent acquisition for State Street, a Boston-based investment company, Richard Curtis is always looking for the best candidate for the job. Period.
In the past few years, some of those candidates have been blind or have low vision. Just last fall, Curtis hired an intern for his department at a job fair for individuals with visual impairments. He is currently in the process of making a full-time job offer to another candidate who is blind.
“Once you educate yourself, you find out how easy it can be,” said Curtis, who has led recruiting efforts at major corporations for over a decade. “Individuals who have a visual impairment are as capable as anyone else as long as they have the correct support. They’re just like any other employee.”
Recent advances in assistive technology have made it easier than ever for people who are blind or visually impaired to thrive in the workplace. Magnification and screen-reading software allow someone with limited or no vision to use email, word processing and data entry programs. To read paper documents, Curtis’ intern has a portable scanner that instantly converts text to audio or large print.
“Having that technology has been enlightening,” said Curtis. “It’s enabled individuals to have all of the benefits of someone with sight in terms of being able to do their jobs.”
In some states, organizations like the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) provide technology free of charge for individuals who are blind to use in the workplace. This saves companies any additional expense and ensures that candidates can hit the ground running their first day on the job.
“Adaptive devices have really led to leveling the playing field for blind folks in the employment arena,” said Paul Saner, commissioner of MCB. “We presently have ample resources to ensure that it can be a win-win for both the employer and the employee.”
Some of the most useful technology is also the easiest to acquire. A basic headset is one of the most-used devices among employees who are blind, said Cris Broyles, previous director of digital accessibility at Perkins Solutions.
“It’s so simple but it allows individuals who are using screen-reader technology to do that and not disturb people around them,” he said.
When setting up an accessible workspace, attention to detail goes a long way. Putting dimmers on florescent lighting or installing room-darkening shades can help employees who are sensitive to glare. An adjustable desk allows someone who uses a wheelchair to raise or lower their workstation to a level that’s comfortable.
But beyond the physical workspace, having a frank and open dialogue about accessibility is the most important ingredient for a successful employer/employee relationship, Broyles said.
“There has to be that conversation when a new employee comes on board,” he said. “The employee needs to feel empowered to go to their new employer and say, ‘Thank you for hiring me, I can’t wait to start, here is some of the technology that’s going to make me able to do my job.’ Communication is critical.”
At State Street, Curtis encourages all employees to be forthright when it comes to their abilities and challenges – an attitude that has helped foster an inclusive and productive work environment, he said. Today, when he interviews an employee who is blind, he’s evaluating their professional skills and experience, not their disability.
“Selfishly we see that this is another pipeline of talent,” he said. “And we want to keep that talent here in Boston.”
