DUAL ONLINE CENTER
Bank of Good Practices in Social Inclusion through WBL
Inclusion of People with Visual Impairments (Inclusão de pessoas com deficiência visual)
Overview
1. The initiative was developed to address the underrepresentation of visually impaired individuals in the labor market, particularly in administrative roles. Despite legal frameworks in Portugal promoting the employment of people with disabilities, actual inclusion rates remain low. This program aims to bridge that gap by integrating visually impaired individuals into Hilti Portugal's workforce.
2. Beneficiaries include individuals with visual impairments, such as blindness or low vision, who are seeking employment opportunities. The initiative promotes social inclusion, diversity, and equity in work-based learning (WBL) by providing tailored training, accessible work environments, and support systems.
3. It takes place at Hilti Portugal's headquarters in the Lionesa Business Center, Porto, Portugal.
2. Beneficiaries include individuals with visual impairments, such as blindness or low vision, who are seeking employment opportunities. The initiative promotes social inclusion, diversity, and equity in work-based learning (WBL) by providing tailored training, accessible work environments, and support systems.
3. It takes place at Hilti Portugal's headquarters in the Lionesa Business Center, Porto, Portugal.
Objectives
1. To facilitate the inclusion of visually impaired individuals into the workforce by adapting recruitment, training, and workplace practices.
2. Access to WBL: The program offers customized training and mentorship, ensuring that participants acquire relevant skills and experience in a supportive environment.
3. By modifying recruitment processes, providing assistive technologies, and ensuring accessible workplaces, the initiative reduces obstacles to apprenticeships and vocational training for visually impaired individuals.
2. Access to WBL: The program offers customized training and mentorship, ensuring that participants acquire relevant skills and experience in a supportive environment.
3. By modifying recruitment processes, providing assistive technologies, and ensuring accessible workplaces, the initiative reduces obstacles to apprenticeships and vocational training for visually impaired individuals.
Implementation
The initiative began with an assessment of roles within Hilti Portugal suitable for visually impaired individuals, such as positions in the Finance Department, Customer Service, and Back Office. Workplace adaptations included providing screen readers, braille displays, magnification software, and ensuring physical accessibility. The Human Resources department received training to support inclusive recruitment and onboarding processes. Continuous support and mentorship were provided to ensure successful integration.
Innovative features
Specialized training tailored to different learner needs, Uses technology to improve access, Includes mentorship and support networks
An important feature was involving the employee in the process of adapting the workplace, ensuring the solutions were personalized and effective. This participatory approach is a key innovative element in the program’s success.
An important feature was involving the employee in the process of adapting the workplace, ensuring the solutions were personalized and effective. This participatory approach is a key innovative element in the program’s success.
Success stories
This initiative, documented in Sofia Couto’s 2019 master's thesis and later referenced in the academic article published in Configurações (2024), highlights positive experiences from visually impaired employees integrated into Hilti Portugal. Based on qualitative interviews, one example describes a participant working in the Customer Service department who reported increased self-confidence and skill development. While not quoted verbatim, this summary reflects the overall feedback and outcomes described in the research, demonstrating the effectiveness of the program in promoting inclusive employment.
Measured outcomes
• Enhanced diversity within Hilti Portugal's workforce.
• Improved accessibility and inclusivity in workplace practices.
• Positive feedback from participants regarding skill acquisition and workplace integration.
• Improved accessibility and inclusivity in workplace practices.
• Positive feedback from participants regarding skill acquisition and workplace integration.
Challenges and lessons learned
One of the main challenges identified across various Portuguese case studies, including the Hilti Portugal initiative, is the persistence of low employer awareness and preparedness in integrating people with visual impairments into the workplace. Ideally, candidates with disabilities would be hired solely based on their skills and experience, without the need for quotas or targeted programs. However, the reality still requires continued advocacy and awareness-raising among recruiters and employers.
A lesson learned is the importance of individualizing workplace adaptations. Not all visually impaired employees have the same needs, even within the same organization. Involving the employee in the process of adapting their workstation has proven to be a best practice, ensuring more effective and meaningful adjustments.
Furthermore, many workers have reported having to bring their own assistive equipment due to a lack of employer initiative, which can hinder performance and limit their full participation. These findings emphasize that proper workplace accommodations should be considered essential—not optional—and that informed, inclusive employers foster a stronger sense of belonging and motivation among all employees. Building such employer readiness is a key step toward a more inclusive and equitable labour market.
A lesson learned is the importance of individualizing workplace adaptations. Not all visually impaired employees have the same needs, even within the same organization. Involving the employee in the process of adapting their workstation has proven to be a best practice, ensuring more effective and meaningful adjustments.
Furthermore, many workers have reported having to bring their own assistive equipment due to a lack of employer initiative, which can hinder performance and limit their full participation. These findings emphasize that proper workplace accommodations should be considered essential—not optional—and that informed, inclusive employers foster a stronger sense of belonging and motivation among all employees. Building such employer readiness is a key step toward a more inclusive and equitable labour market.
- CountryPortugal
- SectorConstruction Engineering
- Target groupPeople with disabilities
Leading organisation
Hilti Portugal
Date
2019, ongoing
Key stakeholders
• Employers and Business Networks: Hilti Portugal, as the primary employer, leads the initiative and serves as a model for inclusive employment practices.
• NGOs and Social Organizations: Partnership with the Associação de Cegos e Amblíopes de Portugal (ACAPO) for support in recruitment and integration processes.
• Government Agencies and Policymakers: Engagement with entities responsible for implementing and monitoring disability employment quotas and related legislation.
• VET Providers and Training Centers: Collaboration with institutions offering vocational education and training tailored to individuals with visual impairments. The documentation collected does not specify which ones.
• NGOs and Social Organizations: Partnership with the Associação de Cegos e Amblíopes de Portugal (ACAPO) for support in recruitment and integration processes.
• Government Agencies and Policymakers: Engagement with entities responsible for implementing and monitoring disability employment quotas and related legislation.
• VET Providers and Training Centers: Collaboration with institutions offering vocational education and training tailored to individuals with visual impairments. The documentation collected does not specify which ones.
Number of beneficiaries
As of the latest available data, the initiative has successfully integrated several visually impaired individuals into Hilti Portugal's workforce. Exact numbers are not specified in the available resources.
