Summary: Dots to Dreams – Visually Impaired Youth Employability Research (Thailand, 2026)

This qualitative study explores the employability of visually impaired youth in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, focusing on their transition into the workforce, employment barriers, life skills, and support systems. Data were collected from 81 keys informants, including visually impaired youth, employers, educational institutions, civil society organizations, and government representatives through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.

The findings reveal that visually impaired youth posses strong employability-related life skills, including communication, problem-solving, adaptability, self-management, and independent living skills. However, employment opportunities remain limited due to employer misconceptions, inaccessible recruitment processes, insufficient workplace accommodations, and fragmented support systems.

The study highlights that existing disability employment policies often prioritize legal compliance over meaningful and sustainable employment, resulting in insecure work arrangements and limited career advancement. Career opportunities are concentrated in a narrow range of occupations, while vocational training programs frequently fail to align with labor market demands.

The research emphasizes the importance of integrating life-skills development with experiential learning, strengthening collaboration among support agencies, enhancing employer awareness, and improving policy implementation to promote inclusive, decent, and sustainable employment opportunities for visually impaired youth.