Presentation Vision conference: employment outcomes of people with visual impairments in The Netherlands

In this presentation, we examine employment outcomes of people with visual impairments in the Netherlands. While research shows that people with disabilities often experience unequal access to the labour market, evidence specifically for people with visual impairments remains limited and is largely based on small-sample survey data. This study addresses this gap using non-public national microdata from Statistics Netherlands.

We use administrative records of 61,954 people who claimed sensory disability care between 2015 and 2019 (VI claimants), compared to a matched Dutch population of the same size. Matching was based on age, gender, education level, and migration background. We analyse employment status and key job characteristics, including wages and working hours.

The results show substantial differences between the two groups. VI claimants have lower employment rates, are more likely to rely on social benefits and sick leave, earn lower wages, and work more often part-time.

These findings highlight significant labour market inequalities for people with visual impairments and underline the need for targeted policies and interventions to improve employment opportunities and outcomes.