Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) Disability as a Qualification

In 2022, the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) contracted with Work Without Limits to 1) gain a better understanding of the career opportunities available for MCB clients that would support their areas of interests, independence and growth and 2) explore the type and number of employment opportunities for which having a disability, particularly blindness or vision impairment, would help make a job candidate qualified or more qualified.

The project encompassed a three-phrase approach:

1. Job Market and Labor Data Research and Analysis
2. Analysis and Text Simplification of Job Descriptions
3. Employer Engagement and Feeback

Work Without Limits analyzed the minimum qualifications for in-demand occupations that provide a living wage, career advancement, and remote work opportunities.

Key Findings

National data consistently show that people with disabilities are not employed at the same rate as people without disabilities. However, there are a variety of occupations projected to grow over the coming years that can be performed remotely and offer a living wage and career path; a number of these occupations could be performed by workers with vision impairments. Moreover, there are training programs that prepare workers for these occupations that are fully accessible to blind and vision impaired individuals. Of note, for one projected growth field --- digital accessibility --- the two primary requirements for the job are to be blind and a screen reader user. In this report, we present findings from a unique study that sought to identify occupations where blindness or vision impairment is not a barrier to performing a job, as well as jobs for which it is a preferred qualification. We highlight our key findings in this 2022 MCB Disability as a Qualification Report.