Survey Shows Wide Acceptance for Capabilities of People Blind, Severely Disabled

Americans have an overwhelming acceptance of the work capabilities of those with significant disabilities.

Arlington, Va. — Nov. 13

The AbilityOne Program’s central nonprofit agencies released survey results that demonstrate Americans have an overwhelming acceptance of the work capabilities of people who are blind or have other significant disabilities. The survey findings also reveal that more than 9 out of every 10 Americans believe the government should support employment opportunities for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities through programs like the federal AbilityOne Program.

This strong support of people who are blind or have other significant disabilities is an important part of the efforts to reduce the unemployment rate of people with disabilities, which hovers above 60 percent.

The national survey, conducted by Greenfield Online, polled 1,000 Americans, 18 to 55-plus years of age, regarding their attitudes and views on the capabilities of people who are blind or have other significant disabilities to create quality products and services. Results showed:

• Broad acceptance among Americans that people who are blind or have other significant disabilities are capable of producing quality products and services. A majority of people surveyed (78 percent) said they were comfortable with the ability of people who are blind or have other significant disabilities to make quality products and provide quality services for the government and armed forces. Additionally, 8 out of 10 people surveyed (80 percent) said they were comfortable with the government and armed forces purchasing products and/or services made by people who are blind or have other significant disabilities.

• Overwhelming belief that the government should support employment opportunities for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities. Almost all of the survey respondents (92 percent) say it is important for the government and armed forces to support the AbilityOne Program.

“The AbilityOne Program is the largest source of employment for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities” said Robert Chamberlin, president and CEO of NISH, which creates employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities.