--- title: "Accessibility in the Workforce: A Blind Person's Perspective" description: Hear from Lily Mordaunt on the reasons why a disabled user may have a disadvantage in the workforce and how you can create a more inclusive workplace. image: https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/handicapped-business-executive-using-digital-tablet.jpg --- - [skip to menu](https://blog.usablenet.com/accessibility-in-the-workforce-a-blind-persons-perspective#nav) - [skip to content](https://blog.usablenet.com/accessibility-in-the-workforce-a-blind-persons-perspective#main-content) - [skip to footer](https://blog.usablenet.com/accessibility-in-the-workforce-a-blind-persons-perspective#footer) Test the accessibility of your website for free! Try UsableNet AQA. 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[Take our Quiz](https://info.usablenet.com/website-accessibility-remediation-quiz) - Resources ## Resources [E-books & Guides](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=E-books%20and%20Guides) [Case Studies](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Case%20Studies) [Reports](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Reports) [Webinars](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Webinars) [Tools](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Tools) [All Resources](https://usablenet.com/resources) ## Essential Resources [ADA accessibility lawsuit tracker](https://info.usablenet.com/ada-website-compliance-lawsuit-tracker?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [Checklist: how to achieve and maintain digital accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/digital-website-accessibility-checklist?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [Which remediation approach is right for me?](https://info.usablenet.com/website-accessibility-remediation-quiz?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [A Primer on ADA and Digital Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/a-primer-on-ada-and-digital-accessibility?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) The EAA is in Effect — Is Your Website Compliant? [Get Help with EN 301 549 Compliance](https://info.usablenet.com/eaa-en-301-549-compliance?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) - Who We Serve ## Industry [E-commerce and Consumer Goods](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-e-commerce-consumer-goods) [Food Service and Hospitality](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-food-service-hospitality) [Banking and Financial Services](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-financial-services) [Healthcare](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-healthcare) [Technology and Business Services](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-technology-and-business-services) [Public Sector and Education](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-public-sector-and-education) ## Compliance [Canadian Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-canada) [European Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-europe) [Other International Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-international) [United States Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-united-states) 2026 Midyear report on digital accessibility lawsuits in the US [Download Now](https://info.usablenet.com/2026-midyear-report) - [Pricing](https://usablenet.com/pricing) - [Blog](https://blog.usablenet.com/) - [About Us](https://usablenet.com/about-us) [Get a Demo](https://info.usablenet.com/contact) # Accessibility in the Workforce: A Blind Person's Perspective **By** [Lily Mordaunt](https://blog.usablenet.com/author/lily-mordaunt) on Oct 7, 2022 **Topics:** [Web Accessibility](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/web-accessibility), [Workplace Accessibility](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/workplace-accessibility), [NDEAM](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/ndeam), [AI](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/ai) 0 Comments - - - ![A woman in a wheelchair smiling during a business meeting](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/handicapped-business-executive-using-digital-tablet.jpg) It's National Disability Employee Awareness Month (NDEAM), a month to celebrate those with disabilities in the workplace while showing support, and inclusive policies and best practices. In 1945, Congress designated the first week of October as a time to acknowledge and honor the contributions of disabled people in the workplace. In 1988, that week was extended to a month, and October became NDEAM. I have been lucky to find internships throughout my high school and college careers. This is primarily because of programs created with a work placement for visually impaired youth as their mission or due to wonderfully accommodating employers. Yet, I am still hyperaware of the many inequities my fellow disabled workers face. Let's explore. In the United States, laws like the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) prevent discrimination against disabled people in the workplace and require reasonable accommodations for those workers. Despite these safeguards, disabled people still struggle to find employment. As of February 2022, the [unemployment rate amongst disabled people was 33%](https://kesslerfoundation.org/press-release/ntide-february-2022-jobs-report-job-numbers-decline-people-disabilities-remain-above#:~:text=In%20the%20US%20Bureau%20of,percent%20or%200.7%20percentage%20points\).). With the world being heavily digitized, it still surprises me how many disabled people struggle to find jobs. Some of it comes down to inaccessible platforms. Another contributor is our increased reliance on AI to find employees.  ## Inaccessible Websites and Work Platforms If you are reading this post, you are likely aware that there are protocols to follow when making an accessible app or website. You've probably heard about it in the context of alt-text on social media or the best way to keep shoppers coming back. But what about in the context of creating a smooth experience for your employees? The websites that employees need for work, whether it's an internal platform or a public website, have to follow all of the same rules. Videos should not start automatically. (Autoplay can interfere with a blind user's screen reader). Videos should also have transcripts or close captions so that deaf employees are not excluded. In addition, all websites should be able to be navigated by a keyboard so that they can be accessed by users using various assistive technologies. During the pandemic, when nearly all companies went online, that could have been an excellent opportunity for more disabled people to be brought into the workplace. And while that did happen in some cases, it did not occur in others. I have a friend who was perfectly qualified for a job but struggled to navigate the company's intranet. It was his first day, so a learning curve should have been expected. I think it was, but not my friend's explanation of the platform being both new and inaccessible. The employer said he did not know what to do and that, perhaps, my friend wasn't a right fit for the position. ##  Lack of Internet Another variable that impacts the high unemployment rate amongst disabled people is the lack of internet. Disabled people are [13% less likely to have internet access at home and 11% less likely to own a computing device](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/lack-of-internet-web-accessibility-harm-employment-for-disabled). This happens because disabled people are often on a fixed income, and the internet and the devices that access it can be expensive and outside the range of a disabled person's budget. So then, disabled people are unable to get jobs. Still, they need work to get the assistive technology they need to navigate the internet. It becomes an unfortunate cycle.  ## Disabled People and AI While the increased reliance on the internet can be a blessing to disabled people by providing increased job opportunities, it can also be a curse. With the internet also comes Artificial intelligence (AI). For example, we may love our Siri and Alexa, but their workplace counterparts are not programmed to love disabled people. Companies that rely on AI to analyze candidates may turn away qualified applicants for traits they can't control. For example, a person who has a visual disability may be flagged by AI as not making adequate eye contact during the interview. Or, someone with a speech impediment may be penalized for not speaking clearly. Relying on AI as part of the hiring process can be a barrier to employment for people with disabilities.  ## Why Should You Make Your Workplace Accessible to The Disabled?  Aside from being a legal requirement under the ADA, it's the right thing to do for your company. Having a workplace that is accessible and inclusive of disabled people can enhance your company culture and your work. Your employees with disabilities will bring different perspectives and experiences and valuable skills from those experiences, like inventive problem-solving. Everyone deserves the opportunity to work. It also assures your customer base, the disabled and able-bodied alike, that you care about more than profits. ![Lily Mordaunt](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Lily%20in%20pink%20shirt.png) ### [Lily Mordaunt](https://blog.usablenet.com/author/lily-mordaunt) Lily Mordaunt is a graduate from Hunter College with a Bachelor's degree in creative writing. An avid reader, Lily hopes to eventually work as a book editor for one of the Big Four publishing houses. She is currently working as Usablenet's editorial and public relations intern. - - - - ### Related posts ![Hotel Website Accessibility: Check-in, Messaging, and In-Stay Barriers for Blind Guests](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Check-in, Messaging, and In-Stay Barriers for Blind Guests](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-check-in-and-in-stay-barriers-for-blind-guests) Jul 15, 2026 ![Hotel Website Accessibility: Browsing Room Options](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Browsing Room Options](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-browsing-room-options) Jul 14, 2026 ![Inside the 2026 Midyear Numbers: The ADA continues to be the ONLY true enforcement around](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Registration%20-%20Midyear%20Report.png) [Inside the 2026 Midyear Numbers: The ADA continues to be the ONLY true enforcement around](https://blog.usablenet.com/inside-the-2026-midyear-numbers-where-digital-accessibility-litigation-is-going) Jul 8, 2026 ![The Low-Cost Moves That Strengthen an ADA Website Defense](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/The%20Low-Cost%20Moves%20That%20Strengthen%20an%20ADA%20Website%20Defense.png) [The Low-Cost Moves That Strengthen an ADA Website Defense](https://blog.usablenet.com/the-low-cost-moves-that-strengthen-an-ada-website-defense) Jun 16, 2026 ### Sign Up for the UsableNet Blog ### Recent Posts ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Check-in, Messaging, and In-Stay Barriers for Blind Guests](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-check-in-and-in-stay-barriers-for-blind-guests) Jul 15, 2026 ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Browsing Room Options](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-browsing-room-options) Jul 14, 2026 ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Registration%20-%20Midyear%20Report.png) [Inside the 2026 Midyear Numbers: The ADA continues to be the ONLY true enforcement around](https://blog.usablenet.com/inside-the-2026-midyear-numbers-where-digital-accessibility-litigation-is-going) Jul 8, 2026 ### Posts by Topic - [Web Accessibility (311)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/web-accessibility) - [User Experience (113)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/user-experience) - [ADA Lawsuits (45)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/ada-lawsuits) - [ADA Website Compliance (38)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/ada-website-compliance) - [European Accessibility Act (34)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/european-accessibility-act) - [Mobile Web (30)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/mobile-web) - [Mobile Apps (27)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/mobile-apps) - [Retail (27)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/retail) ![](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Consultation%20Icon.svg) Need to improve digital usability, accessibility or performance? 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Stay up-to-date on our insights, the latest tech news and digital trends. ![International Association of Accessibility Professionals logo](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/IAAP-logo.png?width=150&height=81&name=IAAP-logo.png) © 2026 UsableNet Inc. ![International Association of Accessibility Professionals logo](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/IAAP-logo.png?width=150&height=81&name=IAAP-logo.png) © 2026 UsableNet Inc. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lily Mordaunt", "url" : "https://blog.usablenet.com/author/lily-mordaunt" }, "dateModified" : "2022-11-04T14:23:55.634Z", "datePublished" : "2022-10-07T14:41:18.000Z", "headline" : "Accessibility in the Workforce: A Blind Person's Perspective", "image" : [ "https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/handicapped-business-executive-using-digital-tablet.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.usablenet.com/accessibility-in-the-workforce-a-blind-persons-perspective", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/UsableNet%20Logo_Black.png" }, "name" : "UsableNet Inc." } } ```