Have you ever been to a public place such as a restaurant or bank that offers braille versions of the information that they display on screens or in pamphlets? Probably not. That means that blind people don’t always enjoy the same freedoms that the rest of us do. On January 4 we celebrate World Braille Day, highlighting the importance of accessibility and independence for people who are blind and visually impaired.
The World Health Organisation estimates that blindness and vision impairment affects at least 2.2 billion people around the world. That’s an astounding number! Unfortunately, barriers such as ignorance and stereotypes have contributed towards blind people to be unfairly discriminated against in the workplace as well as in society. The reality, however, is that blind people are successful in a wide variety of jobs and have positively contributed to their workplaces. Many people who are blind have the same skills and education as people who aren’t visually impaired and can perform the same tasks. Fortunately, technological advances such as screen-reading software and braille displays have removed some of the obstacles, and with a few small changes, we can make the environment a whole lot more accommodating for people with the disability. Removing physical barriers, re-organising workstations, and introducing assistive technology can make for a far more inclusive workplace.
In celebration of World Braille Day, take a look around your office and consider what you could change to make it more accommodating for blind people!
Sources:
https://ptapathways.co.za/index.php/information-01/17-info-article-one
https://fitforwork.org/blog/supporting-people-with-sight-loss-in-employment-rnib-good-practice-guide/