Evaluating the Accessibility of the Job Search and Interview Process for People who are Blind and Visually Impaired

There is a 70% unemployment rate for people who are blind and visually impaired in the United States. In order to discover if the accessibility of the job search and interview process plays a role in the unemployment of this population, we interviewed people who are blind and visually impaired about their recent experiences regarding the job search and interview process. We discovered that there are many accessibility issues that can impact success in obtaining a job, including the inaccessibility of job applications, pre- and post-interview tests, and accommodations during the interview. We also found that often the employee onboarding, the process which helps new hires acclimate to a new environment, can be inaccessible to people with visual impairments. Based on these interviews, we developed new guidelines for employers.