17 May 2022
Blind Citizens Australia, in partnership with Vision Australia, is pleased to launch The Entrepreneurial Mindset, a new initiative to provide a supportive network and build awareness of entrepreneurship as a pathway to employment and financial independence for people who are blind or vision impaired.
Research conducted in 2018 by Vision Australia shows that people who are blind or vision impaired are less likely to be employed full time, with Australia having the lowest full-time employment rate (24%) when compared to Canada (28%) and New Zealand (32%).
When asked about the motivation to begin the journey towards private enterprise, successful entrepreneurs emphasise a determination not to be a statistic.
“Jobs (can be) volatile…as a vision impaired person, the statistics of unemployment are extraordinarily…inordinately high, and I’m not going to be one of them,” declared Elise Lonsdale, founder of DATA Australasia, at BCA’s 2021 virtual forum, BCA Connect.
“The Entrepreneurial Mindset project aims to provide the information, resources and tools to equip aspiring small business owners and sole traders who are blind or vision impaired, to confidently step out of their comfort zone towards financial independence,” states Nicole Willing, Project Manager.
“I encourage anyone who is blind or vision impaired and looking for a supportive network to assist them as they navigate their way towards business ownership to register your interest by emailing BCA@bca.org.au.”
In addition, if you are a business owner who is blind or vision impaired and interested in sharing your knowledge and experience with aspiring entrepreneurs, contact BCA on 1800 033 660 for further details on how you can be involved in the project.
Media Contact
For more information/interviews please contact:
Adriana Malavisi
Blind Citizens Australia
Phone: 0499 079337
Email: media@bca.org.au