Milwaukee celebrates workforce inclusion with 'Blind Employment Awareness Day'

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The city of Milwaukee is taking a step towards celebrating the inclusion of the city's visually impaired population in the local workforce, with Mayor Cavalier Johnson officially declaring May 16 as “Blind Employment Awareness Day.”

Mayor Johnson voiced his support for the cause in a 2022 video message, stating, “I am strongly supportive of unlocking the economic potential of everyone here in Milwaukee and beyond. I want everyone to have the opportunity to build wealth and financial independence."

Nearly 100,000 people in Wisconsin are blind or visually impaired and unemployment among them hovers around 70%, according to the American Foundation for the Blind, as quoted in a May 11 press release from the Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

IBVI is a national nonprofit based in Milwaukee that leads the initiative, which aims to promote workplace accessibility and inclusivity. Over half of their staff nationwide are people who are blind or visually impaired, with the company having offices in West Allis, Menomonee Falls and Janesville.

Those interested in supporting the cause can visit IBVI’s blog for further details.