by Rachael Johinke, Eye to the Future Project Coordinator, Blind Citizens Australia and Aroha Nisbett, Advocacy Campaigns Manager, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT
Christine Antonopoulos was let go from her job after disclosing she was losing her vision. Then came the strange, even sometimes inappropriate, interview questions she’d never been asked before. Even people she’d known for years started treating her differently.
That experience led Christine to research bias in employment. What she found was confronting: most bias is unconscious or ‘implicit’.
What is implicit bias?
Implicit bias refers to the unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions and decisions without us realising it. These biases are shaped by our experiences and culture and can influence how we perceive and treat others, even when we believe we are being fair.
Employers may say they support inclusion, but hidden fears and assumptions often stop them from hiring people with disability. In fact, 4 out of 5 Australians still stereotype people with disability as incompetent or unfriendly.
This kind of bias means people are judged not on their skills, but on outdated ideas. It’s not only wrong, but also a missed opportunity for all involved.
But we know change is possible. Christine’s research shows that having diverse hiring panels and disability awareness training can shift bias and lead to fairer decisions.
Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) and Guide Dogs NSW/ACT are working towards removing recruitment barriers and improving employment outcomes for people who are blind or vision impaired. We invite you to connect with BCA’s Eye to the Future employment project, and Guide Dogs NSW/ACT’s campaign.
As part of the Eye to the Future initiative, BCA has launched an Employer e-Guide to help businesses take real steps toward inclusive hiring.
Guide Dogs recognises the leadership BCA has shown in this space and is proud to work alongside like-minded organisations to uphold the rights of people with low vision or blindness.
Together, we’re building a more inclusive world, one workplace at a time.
- Share the Eye to the Future Employer e-Guide with your employer or networks.
- Share your own story with us. Email bca@bca.org.auand help us show why change is needed.
- Become an ally with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and be part of their Employment campaign.
- Check out Christine’s research.