BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A Burlington café sets up Vermont’s visually impaired for success.
While 79% of people without disabilities are employed, just 44% of people who are blind or visually impaired have a job. The Innovation Café wants to change that.
At the Innovation Café in Burlington, Eric Smith takes an order for a breakfast sandwich and rings up the check.
It looks like any other eatery, except Smith is visually impaired.
“It’s called optic nerifypophlasia,” he said.
The 28-year-old is near-sighted and sees more toward the right with his left eye and vice versa.
He also struggles with social interaction, but less so after eight years working at the café.
“I don’t stutter as much as I did before, and I’m more open to feedback,” said Smith.
The café is part of the federal Business Enterprise Program which helps blind and visually impaired people operate businesses in state-owned buildings.
Nonprofit Resource brought on a staff of young visually impaired Vermonters in hopes that they won’t join the 56% of blind and visually impaired Americans without jobs.
“When those aren’t open to youth with disabilities, they’re not really privy to getting those types of jobs, to be able to offer that is huge,” said Sarah Kirby of Resource.
Café assistant Meagan Gallo, who’s legally blind, faced barriers in her earlier food service jobs.
Without accommodations, it was tricky for Gallo to waitress.
“I just didn’t have the tools and accessibility to really succeed at that. So I was let go from that job. Everything here is different,” said Gallo.
At Innovation Café, small accommodations make a big difference, like a modified knife setup and a register that describes transactions out loud – but it’s not all about food.
Smith, who has limited transportation skills, says the café is a welcome chance to socialize and hone his skills.
“Getting out of the house and doing something other than just watching the hours go by is better,” said Smith.
In addition to visually impaired Vermonters, the Innovation Café also offers work experience for low-income parents and folks with disabilities, with the goal of being a foot in the door for further job opportunities.