National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Everything You Must Know

National Disability Employment Awareness Month is an important month for the blind and visually impaired community. It’s a time to work towards breaking down barriers that prevent people with disabilities from getting jobs, while also celebrating the successes of those who have overcome them. This year, we want to do something different. We’re taking this opportunity to talk about what it’s like being disabled in America today – What does disability mean in 2021?

Brief History of National Disability Employment Awareness Month

In 1988, the United States Congress designated October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month to raise awareness of the employment needs and contributions of people with all types of disabilities. Celebrating October as a month is an extension of “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week,” which was originally observed during the first week of October beginning in 1945. They felt that extending the period of time would raise awareness and allow individuals to be better prepared for disability employment in the United States.

Increasing Awareness for Disability Employment for Blind People is Crucial

The unemployment rate among blind people is around 70% which is much higher than any other disabled group. It has been shown that an increased number of visually impaired individuals in employment could reduce poverty rates by as much as 60%. These statistics are not just numbers, but they represent people who need help to find jobs. This is why National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is so important and we need to make this month different for blind and visually impaired people.

Share Their Voice to Increase Awareness for Disability Employment

How many disabled people are working in your company? Do you have any disabled coworkers? Do you see them during the lunch break or have you ever talked with them? If you can not respond to these questions, this is the perfect time to learn and explore the world through their eyes. It is not so hard to increase awareness today, thanks to social media and the internet.

You can start by Googling “What is National Disability Employment Awareness Month”, or “Why National Disability Employment Awareness Month is important”. Read some articles about people with disabilities, especially blind and visually impaired individuals who have the most trouble finding employment. Last but not least, you may post articles on social media sites such as LinkedIn or Facebook. This article will benefit both your profile and the general public’s knowledge of it.

Blind and Visually Impaired People are Less Likely to Be Employed

Disabled people, in general, are highly struggling to find a proper job and sustain themself. Blind and visually impaired individuals are the most afflicted category since the majority of employment demands good eyesight. According to the AFB research, only 44% of those with low vision are employed, and the majority lack employment. Furthermore, even when they work, individuals with disabilities are more likely to work part-time or only for part of the year than those without. In other words, blind and visually employed people lack job security.  

OrCam MyEye Changes The Game for Blind and Visually Impaired 

People who are blind rely on a sighted assistant for help with any task that requires vision, which means they can’t get involved in certain jobs. But now, people with visual impairment have an artificial intelligence-powered device to assist them when it comes to employment.

OrCam MyEye is a revolutionary device that uses artificial intelligence and advanced algorithms to assist people who are blind or visually impaired with their everyday lives, including in the workplace. Attach this gadget to your glasses and you will be able to read text on any surface. Thanks to OrCam MyEye, the empowerment of blind and visually impaired people have already started to change drastically. In this  National Disability Employment Awareness Month, you can meet with your new assistant which will allow you to do a lot more at work.

Meet Dan & Zoe: They’re Back to Work Thanks to OrCam MyEye

Dan Parker was a professional drag-racing automobile driver. Dan’s life immediately, and drastically, altered following the loss of his eyesight in a car collision. Thanks to OrCam MyEye, Dan started giving driving lectures which were his passion and dream job.

Zoe Hartman, a 25-year-old Brooklyn, New York native, was also blind. A nice life and career waiting for her in the future. OrCam MyEye changed her life and she can accomplish her daily tasks and allows her to work in any position she wants.