Beyond Vision

Accessibility: Much More than Access

Picture of Israel in the office smiling and wearing a white Beyond Vision dress shirt.

Increasing accessibility throughout the entire organization is the primary goal for Israel Cazares-Zurita, Accessibility Coordinator, at Beyond Vision.

Given nearly 60% of all Beyond Vision employees are visually impaired, creating a workplace accessible to all is pivotal to the success of our mission. Israel audits all existing workflow processes in our Machine Shop, Assembly & Packaging, and Customer Care Center business units. He then works with team leaders to ensure workflows are accessible to all visually impaired and sighted employees alike. The goal is to create upward mobility and hire or promote more mission employees.

 

 

“I’d like to help encourage all Beyond Vision employees to think of accessibility as more than just accommodations or special adaptations,” says Israel, “but to think of accessibility as a universal benefit to all employees regardless of ability.”

As we look to complete our Capital Campaign and build a new home for Beyond Vision, Israel will be an integral part of enhancing accessibility throughout the space. He is working closely with the design and planning committees to help implement universal accessibility features throughout our new VisABILITY Center.

“I am excited about what the future holds for Beyond Vision, as we transition to the new VisABILITY center.”

Accessibility reaches far beyond the workflows of our physical space. Computer accessibility is a significant barrier to entry to employment for people who are blind. We utilize numerous forms of adaptive computer technology at Beyond Vision, the most common being JAWS, Job Access With Speech. JAWS is a screen reader which provides speech and Braille output for computers and enables our employees who are blind to access administrative and technical employment opportunities. Israel is in the beginning stages of creating five one-hour workshops which will focus on JAWS training. These courses will be available to all Beyond Vision employees who are JAWS users regardless of position.

“I would love it if my contributions lead to the hiring or promotion of mission employees.” Israel says.

You can help support Israel and our mission to provide accessible employment opportunities to people who are blind by donating to Beyond Vision.