Colin, you are pretty close on your numbers. Without looking it up from my
research findings, as I recall, the actual number of unemployed blind people
is around 34%; this is still too high, but it is about half of the number
often quoted. I do not remember the break down by gender or age. 

Ron, K8HSY

-----Original Message-----
From: Colin McDonald [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 12:36 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: employment

Fantastic, nicely outlined.
I've heard that 70 per cent number tossed around all my life as well.  But I
too find that most working age and work able blind persons are gainfully
employed.  I expect the stats are skewed heavily by the over 65 blind
population as well as those with multiple disabilities who are unable to
work.
I'd really like to see a stat taken from the 16 to 60 age range of blind
persons who fall into the employable category rather than the entire
population.
In other words, a stat that indicates unemployed blind people rather than
what the rate of unemployment might be which isn't the same thing.
And based upon the definitions of unemployed verses outside the labor
market.
Also, broken down by gender since in my experience, that seems to play a
roll as well.
In my experience, the reality seems exactly opposite of the statistic that
is commonly bandied about, that being that 70 per cent of the employable
blind people I know are employed and 30 percent aren't working.
I suspect the 70 per cent number is drawn from a general survey of blind
people and a simple are you employed or not employed response rather than
being broken down correctly.
Even so, if you take the general unemployment rates for a given region,
which are correctly quantified based on the definitions of employed or
unemployed in the general population, and compare that to even a very
conservative estimate of the same statistic within the blind population, the
rate of unemployment in the blind population will be far far higher.  There
are way too many variables that effect that, but there you have it.
All anecdotal evidence of course.  But, if it walks like a duck, and quacks
like a duck then it must be a...

73
Colin, V A6BKX