Sunil Subramaniam would spend two hours every Sunday volunteering for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), helping members of the sight loss community haul their groceries, write their e-mails, and complete any errands they needed help navigating. Never once did he imagine the full-circle moment where he would be on the receiving end of these services.
Subramaniam was shocked when his ophthalmologist revealed he had a rare genetic disorder and should be prepared to lose up to 95% of his vision at any given time.
“I thought I had simple vision loss, cataracts perhaps, surely something fixable with surgery,” he said. “I got this news in December 2020, and I am already almost 70% blind.”
Sunil Subramaniam, Chartered Professional Accountant at Scotiabank
Subramaniam is a Chartered Professional Accountant who holds a managerial role in Global Finance at Scotiabank. Previously, he held senior roles managing large teams at prominent Canadian and American banks.
“Life has taken a sharp turn, and it has impacted my career, no doubt,” Subramaniam said.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is a United Nations day that is recognized every year on Dec. 3. This year’s theme is “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.”
In Canada, more than 1.5 million people are blind or partially sighted and only 42% of people with sight loss are employed, according to CNIB’s International Levels of Employment Study from 2018.
Changing perceptions about the sight loss community
When Subramaniam first received his diagnosis, he feared his professional life would come to a halt, as the intricacies of his role seemed impossible to handle without eyesight. But he said help from Scotiabank Chief Financial Officer Raj Viswanathan, who Subramaniam had worked with previously, altered the trajectory of his future.
“He was a godsend to me,” said Subramaniam. “When he heard that I was going through this trauma, he said ‘Sunil, keep your chin up. Let's rebuild your life together’.”
Subramaniam was offered a three-month contract with a slow start and accommodations such as multiple large monitors, a specialized keyboard, and ZoomText assistive technology software to aid his sight loss. He has now been in the role for almost three years. “I count my blessings to have a very challenging, interesting job. I am on a safe team with good people,” said Subramaniam.
These are the kinds of supports that the CNIB hopes companies will consider in order to build more accommodating and inclusive environments. Arming leaders and talent recruiters with guidance on how to create accessible workplaces and cultivate diverse teams is just one of the goals of CNIB’s Come to Work program, supported through Scotiabank’s ScotiaRISE initiative. By collaborating with businesses across various sectors, CNIB aims to change perceptions about hiring individuals who are blind, Deafblind, or who have low vision in the Come to Work Talent Pool.
“We don't just work with Talent Pool members to help find jobs, but we also help workplaces become inclusive, welcoming, and accessible,” said Shoko Kitano, Executive Director of CNIB’s Come to Work program. “That's as much of the battle, or even more so — making sure that people are aware of their own attitudes and how their biases or lack of knowledge might create hiring barriers.”
Source: CNIB’s International Levels of Employment Study from 2018
ScotiaRISE supports CNIB’s Come to Work program
To support that goal, Scotiabank has committed $1.2 million to the organization and will provide an additional $90,000 as a National Sponsor for CNIB’s Connecting the Dots conference, which is focused on education, technology, and employment for people with sight loss. The partnership with CNIB is a signature program within ScotiaRISE, the Bank’s 10-year, $500-million initiative to promote economic resilience among disadvantaged groups.
The Come to Work program aims to empower individuals who are blind, Deafblind, or who have low vision to gain meaningful employment. The program also provides job readiness workshops, mentorship opportunities, and access to assistive technologies. Participants receive personalized career coaching to identify their skills and interests, helping them to secure positions that align with their aspirations.
“Our biggest priority right now is changing attitudes,” said Kitano. “About five years ago, we did a big consultation with the sight loss community across Canada and over 91% of people said, ‘I want to work, but I do not have that opportunity in the same way that a lot of Canadians do’.”
‘It takes a lot of courage’
Ryan Rustad, now a Scotia Helps Collection Advisor, secured his position with Scotiabank through CNIB’s Come to Work program.
Diagnosed in fifth grade with uveitis — severe inflammation of the eye — the condition left him completely blind in one eye, and with extremely limited vision in the other.
Ryan Rustad, Scotia Helps Collection Advisor
“I was nervous at first,” Rustad admitted. “I wasn't sure how I'd adapt, but the interview process was smooth and Scotiabank has been incredibly supportive, upgrading my technology and making sure I had everything I needed to succeed.”
His 2.5-hour commute from one end of the Greater Toronto Area to the other presents challenges but he's grateful for the understanding and flexibility his team has shown. The key, Rustad says, is, “Don’t be afraid of asking for accommodations and bringing up obstacles, companies are often more willing to work with you than you think.”
Rustad also addressed what he thinks are some common biases in the workplace.
“I feel like people think of those with vision loss as being a little timid, but that’s not always the case. In fact it takes a lot of courage to do what we do,” he said. “Adaptability is underestimated and often people with vision loss are very adaptable, focused and planful... we have no choice but to be.”
Through CNIB’s partnership with ScotiaRISE, the Come to Work program has helped more than 2,224 Canadians who are blind, Deafblind, or who have low vision prepare for the working world. CNIB’s data also shows that 79% of the participants felt they were more prepared to seek a job after completing their program. The goal is to support them in achieving roles with potential for future further growth.
“Our guarantee is we're going to make you feel more ready, and we're going to actually make you more ready,” said Kitano. “We're going to help employers become more welcoming and inclusive, but then the magic still has to happen. They have to go compete for that job like anyone else… And they do.”
