Bangkok, 29 May 2026 — Save the Children Thailand unveiled the findings of the “Dots to Dreams” research project on employment opportunities for visually impaired youth, reflecting that many visually impaired young people possess skills, abilities, and readiness for work, but their opportunities continue to be limited by non-inclusive employment systems, employer attitudes, inaccessible recruitment processes, and fragmented systems that fail to connect education to employment. 

Save the Children’s research collected data from 81 participants in Bangkok and surrounding areas, including visually impaired youth, employers, government agencies, educational institutions, and civil society organizations. The study found that visually impaired youth possess key skills demanded by the labour market, including communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and self-management. Most of these skills were developed through lived experiences and learning to live independently. However, despite their potential, employment opportunities for visually impaired persons remain limited to only a few types of jobs, particularly short-term positions that lack stability and offer no opportunities for professional growth. 

The study found that the key barriers do not lie in the abilities of young people, but within the system itself, including inaccessible recruitment processes, the absence of support systems connecting education to employment, and the underestimation of their capabilities. The research also referenced national data indicating that only around 8% of persons with disabilities are able to access the competitive labour market. 

The research further reflected that although Thailand has laws supporting the employment of persons with disabilities, in practice many hiring practices are still driven more by legal compliance than by genuine inclusion. As a result, many visually impaired youth remain confined to positions that do not match their skills and offer no clear career progression pathways. 

Mr. Guillaume Rachou, Executive Director of Save the Children Thailand, said: 

“Young people with visual impairments are not lacking in ability. What they still lack are opportunities and systems that are ready to open pathways for them to grow. This research clearly shows that the key barriers are not within the young people themselves, but within attitudes, structures, and employment systems that are still not inclusive enough. We would like to invite all sectors to work together to create meaningful employment — not merely employment that fulfills legal requirements, but opportunities that allow young people to work by fully using their own potential.” 

During the event “Dots to Dreams: Pathways to Inclusive Employment for Visually Impaired Youth,” held on 29 May 2026 together with Dots Coffee, Vulcan Coalition, and partners from the public and private sectors, with support from CapitaLand Hope Foundation and The Ascott Limited, participants exchanged real experiences from visually impaired youth, employers, and experts in inclusive employment.

The event also presented the concept of “meaningful employment,” which does not refer only to having a job, but also includes fair income, career stability, opportunities for skills development, and being recognised as equally valuable employees within organisations. 

The event also introduced the Life Skills for Success framework, designed to align with the context of visually impaired youth in order to strengthen confidence, communication, teamwork, and preparedness before entering the workforce. Examples from Dots Coffee and Vulcan Coalition demonstrated that when organisations design jobs and working environments appropriately, visually impaired youth can work across a variety of industries, ranging from hospitality and barista work to technology, digital, and AI-related careers. 

Ms. Beh Siew Kim, Chief Financial & Sustainability Officer, Lodging, CapitaLand Investment, and Managing Director, Japan and Korea, Ascott, who is also a Board Director of CapitaLand Hope Foundation: “We believe that diversity in the workplace is not merely a matter of policy, but about creating an environment where everyone can grow and participate to their fullest potential. Experiences from this project demonstrate that visually impaired youth possess skills, abilities, and perspectives that are valuable to organisations if they are given the right opportunities and support. We hope to see Thailand’s business sector create more inclusive employment opportunities so that everyone can access meaningful work and grow together.” 

Save the Children and its partners call on all sectors to jointly advance “meaningful employment” for visually impaired youth through creating stable jobs, strengthening support systems from education through to employment, and adapting workplace environments to become more accessible and inclusive. The organisation emphasised that creating employment opportunities for visually impaired youth is not the responsibility of any one sector alone, but requires collaboration from all stakeholders to build systems that recognise everyone’s potential equally and open pathways for all young persons with disabilities to achieve secure and dignified futures. 

About Save the Children 

Save the Children Thailand is part of the world’s leading child rights organisation, which has worked for children globally for more than 100 years and in Thailand since 1979 for over 47 years. The organisation works to ensure that every child in Thailand can access their fundamental rights, including protection from violence, access to quality education, and physical and mental healthcare, because we believe every child deserves a bright future.