In May 2013, I joined Peter White on BBC Radio 4’s In Touch to discuss a troubling statistic: just one in four blind people of working age in the UK were in work. That meant 75% were unemployed, the highest rate of any disability group.
More than a decade later, the number hasn’t shifted enough. We are still faced with three in four blind and partially sighted people unable to access employment. The barriers remain, and progress has been painfully slow.
That’s why I decided to act. If no one else was stepping up to solve the problem, I would. The result is the launch of the Blind Ambition Recruitment website — a practical solution to break down barriers and create genuine opportunities.
Here’s what sets us apart:
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Built for accessibility – designed from the ground up with blind and partially sighted people in mind.
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A supportive environment – every employer who advertises with us is committed to inclusive hiring.
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A central hub – job seekers can apply through one accessible platform, while employers connect with a talented, motivated pool of candidates.
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Future-focused – as technology evolves, new careers are opening up where blind professionals can thrive.
Our goal is clear: reduce that 75%. Even aligning with the broader disability employment rate of 51% would be a meaningful first step. And we won’t stop there.
As I said back in 2013, we cannot accept this level of exclusion. Today, with Blind Ambition Recruitment, we’re moving from talk to action. My hope is that in a few years’ time we can look back and say: “We’ve made a difference. The number is falling, and more blind and partially sighted people are in meaningful work.”
👉 Discover more or post inclusive jobs today: Blind Ambition Recruitment Board
