New Enterprise Tackles Workforce Diversity Challenges

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As more employers recognize the positive impact a diverse workforce can have on innovation and productivity, NSITE, an enterprise launching today, is poised to become a go-to resource for employers seeking to diversify their workforce. Through talent development, job placement services, and accessibility support, NSITE will connect organizations seeking to broaden their talent pool with qualified job seekers who are blind, visually impaired, and/or veterans.

NSITE builds on the experience of its umbrella organization, National Industries for the Blind (NIB), the nation's largest employment resource for people who are blind. "NIB has been a leader in supporting the employment of people who are blind for more than 80 years," said NIB President and CEO Kevin Lynch. "NSITE will leverage this knowledge and experience to provide tremendous value to employers and job seekers alike." 

With NSITE as a partner, employers will have everything they need to find, hire, onboard, and retain talented people who are blind or visually impaired as an essential part of their workforce. NSITE helps employers recruit and support these employees, so organizations can focus on putting their skills and talent to good use.

"Including talented people who are blind or visually impaired as part of a diverse workforce leads to a more productive, innovative workplace," said Jonathan Lucus, head of NSITE. "Employers know diverse hiring is important, but they don't always know how to do it well, let alone where to find the talent. Enter NSITE ? a people-first organization that helps our partners diversify their workforces with dedicated employees, helping them increase productivity and strengthen workplace culture."

Employers across all industries struggle to recruit, retain, and support diverse talent, all while facing record high turnover rates, sometimes upwards of 60 percent. Meanwhile, myths and misconceptions about the capabilities of people who are blind or visually impaired keep unemployment rates high for this largely untapped workforce ? according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Current Population Survey, nearly 70 percent of working-age Americans who are blind are not employed.

"Diversity, equity and inclusion should no longer be considered just the right thing to do, but also as the key puzzle piece for an organization's success, as several studies have demonstrated," said Dr. Afra Ahmad, director of the Master of Professional Studies in Applied Industrial and Organizational Psychology program at George Mason University. "Companies with a wider pool of talent and an inclusive culture can reap the rewards of authentic employees sharing broader perspectives, which can lead to greater innovation and better decision making for products and services."

To learn more about the service offerings NSITE provides to both employers and job seekers, visit NSITE.org.

About NSITE
NSITE provides a continuum of employment services that connect employers with talented, dedicated people who are blind, visually impaired, and/or veterans to meet their workforce needs. NSITE works with employers and job seekers alike to provide support throughout the career life cycle. Learn more at NSITE.org.

SOURCE NSITE