Disabled people continue to be shut out of leadership positions
Throughout my five years PhD research on the topic of barriers and enablers to employment for disabled people within the disability sector, I have been constantly struck by the paucity of sector leaders world-wide. This issue continues to be front of mind for me, and is a major reason for my starting the Disability Disrupters podcast, published on the 1st of each month. The recent discussion about vision Australia’s failure to run an open recruitment process for its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) reminds me that, we’re not there yet.
Here’s the text of an open letter to Vision Australia Directors, from Blind Citizens Australia:
“26 August 2024
To Vision Australia directors,
We, the undersigned blind and vision-impaired individuals and our supporters, express our dismay regarding the decision to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) through an internal Expression of Interest (EOI) process. As Australia’s largest provider of blindness services, Vision Australia has a responsibility to ensure its leadership reflects the lived experience of our community. We urge the Board to reconsider this approach and commit to an external search, prioritizing the appointment of the organization’s first blind CEO.
The final report of Australia’s Disability Royal Commission underscores the need for inclusive and representative leadership in organizations serving people with disability. It states, “Leadership should reflect the diversity of the community it serves, including the lived experiences of people with disabilities.” The report emphasizes that effective advocacy and leadership require that people with disabilities lead, ensuring their voices shape policy and service delivery.
While we acknowledge the talent within Vision Australia and its commitment to employing blind and vision-impaired staff, most work in client-facing and middle management roles, lacking the executive experience required for the CEO position. By opting for an internal EOI process, Vision Australia risks missing the opportunity to appoint an experienced, progressive leader with fresh perspectives capable of advancing the organization.
A blind CEO would not only bring invaluable lived experience but also serve as a powerful symbol of empowerment for the community. Such a leader would be uniquely positioned to address client needs, implement necessary changes, and drive the organization’s mission forward with genuine insight and authority.
Unemployment remains a significant barrier for blind and vision-impaired individuals. A 2019 World Blind Union survey found only 24% of blind Australians were in full-time employment, lagging behind countries like New Zealand and Canada. Additionally, pathways to executive leadership for blind and vision-impaired talent are limited. Appointing a blind CEO would demonstrate Vision Australia’s commitment to providing an open, inclusive process and addressing these disparities.
We appreciate the board’s intent to maintain momentum and ensure continuity. However, an external search is essential for transparency and inclusivity, especially given it has been 11.5 years since the role was last advertised. An internal EOI process may not fully capture the diverse perspectives required for effective leadership. The Disability Royal Commission called for “transparent and merit-based processes that value the perspectives of people with disabilities,” aligning with an external recruitment approach.
We respectfully urge the Vision Australia Board to revoke its decision for an internal EOI process and undertake an external search, committing to appoint a blind or vision-impaired leader as CEO. This will demonstrate the Board’s dedication to promoting the employment of blind people and meeting current expectations for disability leadership.
We hope our concerns will be considered, and we look forward to a process that reflects the principle of “nothing about us without us” and the high standards Vision Australia strives to uphold.”
I strongly urge disabled people, and our allies, to sign this petition started by Graeme Innes, supporting this open Letter: