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

Work Without Limits is consulting with the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) to identify various career paths that will support their clients’ independence and growth.

Using job market and labor data, job description analysis and simplification, understanding of minimum qualifications, and employer focus group feedback, Work Without Limits seeks to identify in-demand occupations and employer partners with whom MCB clients would be a particular asset. The final deliverable will be a report to MCB with recommendations and action items.

Project Overview

In 2020, to raise disability inclusive employment awareness, the MCB contracted with Work Without Limits to conduct focus groups and interviews with individuals with disabilities and employers to create a resource that outlines how disability can be promoted as a qualification for employment.

In 2022, MCB extended its engagement with Work Without Limits to further examine the learnings from the original project specific to the lived experiences of individuals with visual impairments. Using job market and labor data, job description analysis and simplification, and employer focus group feedback, Work Without Limits seeks to identify in-demand occupations and employer partners with whom MCB clients would be a particular asset.

Opportunity

The following occupations are projected to be in demand over the next 10 years and match the skillsets MCB clients currently have or could be trained in:

  • Computer/Information Systems Managers/Analysts
  • Compensation and Benefits Managers
  • Accountants and Auditors
  • Marketing Research Analysts/Specialists/Managers
  • Fundraisers
  • The emerging field of Digital Accessibility Testers/Specialists

Employer Focus Group: August 16, 2022, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

We are looking for organizations with advanced disability inclusive practices, projected job vacancies and in-demand jobs, and remote and/or hybrid work policies and practices, to participate in an Employer Focus Group to provide input and feedback on this MCB Disability as a Qualification project.

We are interested in learning the following from focus group participants:

  • Current/projected need for filling job vacancies especially those that provide career advancement opportunities
  • Training organizations that prepare workers for in-demand occupations
  • The skills required of new employees entering the workforce
  • The skills you, as employers, will train new employees on
  • Current and projected remote and hybrid work policies and practices
If you are interested in participating in the Focus Group, please contact Work Without Limits, Director of Community Engagement, Kathy Muhr.