BISM CEO Urges Maryland Employers to Tackle 70% Blind Unemployment
Updated
Updated · Baltimore Sun · Jul 13
BISM CEO Urges Maryland Employers to Tackle 70% Blind Unemployment
1 articles · Updated · Baltimore Sun · Jul 13
Summary
Michael Gosse, CEO of Blind Industries and Services of Maryland, called on Maryland employers to hire more blind workers, arguing the nearly 70% unemployment or underemployment rate has persisted for more than 40 years.
Gosse said the main barrier is not capability but employer assumptions, citing job postings that require irrelevant qualifications such as a driver’s license for roles that do not involve driving.
BISM — Maryland’s largest employer of blind individuals — showcases blind staff making military jackets, paper products and 700 other items while also handling IT, accounting, HR and sales.
He urged companies to define jobs by core skills and remove unnecessary visual requirements, saying accessible systems such as better document management can improve workplaces for all employees.
Gosse also framed faster training and support after vision loss as critical to turning fear into employment, arguing broader representation of blind professionals in ordinary jobs would help normalize hiring.
Could targeted hiring, like Sony's 2026 apprenticeship, finally break the cycle of chronic unemployment for the blind community?
With advanced AI and assistive tech, why has the 70% unemployment rate for blind Americans remained static for 40 years?
How can companies redesign digital workflows to benefit all employees, not just accommodate their blind colleagues?
Unlocking Maryland’s Untapped Workforce: Addressing Blind Unemployment and Empowering 116,000 Blind and Visually Impaired Residents
Overview
Maryland is facing a serious workforce challenge known as 'blind unemployment,' with over 116,000 blind and low-vision residents. Despite the state's general unemployment rates being relatively low, there is a significant gap in employment for blind or visually impaired individuals—nationally, only 44 percent are employed compared to 79 percent of people without disabilities. More than half of working-age blind individuals are not even participating in the labor market. This disparity has major economic and social consequences, highlighting the urgent need for action to address barriers and unlock the potential of this untapped talent pool.