Resources for the Blind, Inc. Philippines

06/08/2026

Twenty-seven employers, HR practitioners, government partners, and advocates. One shared commitment to equitable employment.
To conclude Disability Pride Month, Resources for the Blind, Inc. (RBI) successfully held CAREER CONNECT: Forum on Equipping Employers and HR Practitioners for Inclusive Employment of People with Visual Impairments on July 31, 2026, at ibis Styles Manila Araneta City.
The forum convened business leaders, human resource professionals, government agencies, disability advocates, and professionals with visual impairments to strengthen employers' capacity to build accessible, equitable, and disability-inclusive workplaces.
Participants gained valuable insights from professionals with visual impairments whose journeys challenged misconceptions about disability, employers who shared practical strategies for fostering inclusive workplaces, government agencies that discussed disability rights and employment policies, and accessibility experts who highlighted approaches to creating environments where everyone can thrive.
More than a learning event, CAREER CONNECT became a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration—encouraging employers to move beyond compliance and embrace inclusion as a strategic investment in people, innovation, and organizational growth.
This initiative was organized by Resources for the Blind, Inc. (RBI) in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Yayasan Mitra Netra, with the generous support of The Nippon Foundation.
As Disability Pride Month comes to a close, our work continues. Together with our partners, we remain committed to advancing equitable employment and creating workplaces where persons with visual impairments are recognized not for their limitations, but for their talent, potential, and contributions.

05/08/2026

In celebration of White Cane Safety Day 2026 with the theme, "Puting Baston: Simbolo ng Kalayaan, Pagkakapantay-pantay, at Ganap na Pakikilahok," Resources for the Blind, Inc. (RBI) successfully held Career Connect: Opening Doors to Equitable Employment Opportunities on August 1, 2026, at the RBI Training Center in Cubao, Quezon City.
The event brought together 38 job
seekers with visual impairments who participated in resume pooling and career
coaching while engaging directly with employers committed to building more
accessible and equitable workplaces.
We are grateful to our participating
employers:
🔹 Sutherland Philippines
🔹 Foundever
🔹 The Westin Manila (Robinsons Land Corporation)
🔹 iCXeed
🔹 EastWest Bank
Their participation demonstrates that
inclusive employment begins with employers who recognize talent, competence,
and potential beyond disability.
Career Connect served as a platform where
qualified candidates explored employment opportunities, received career
guidance, and established meaningful connections with organizations seeking
diverse and capable professionals. The event reaffirmed that people with visual
impairments are ready to contribute, lead, and thrive when barriers to
employment are removed.
This initiative was organized by Resources
for the Blind, Inc. (RBI) in partnership with the Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE) and Yayasan Mitra Netra, with the generous support of The
Nippon Foundation.
As we commemorate White Cane Safety Day, with our partners from the DepEd, NCDA, DOH, PIA, DOT, PAVIC, and PBU, we continue to advocate not only for safe mobility, but also for equal access to
education, employment, and full participation in society. Together, we move
closer to workplaces where ability is recognized, opportunities are accessible,
and inclusion becomes standard practice.

26/07/2026

Thirty-three (33) job seekers with disabilities explored employment opportunities on July 21, 2026, during the 2026 Job Fair for PWDs at the Hall of Governors, 3rd Floor, Provincial Capitol, Taft St., Brgy. III, Roxas City.

ROXAS CITY, CAPIZ — Thirty-three job seekers with disabilities (PWDs), from high school to college graduates, took a bold step toward employment as they participated in the 2026 Job Fair for Persons with Disabilities, organized by Resources for the Blind, Inc. (RBI) in partnership with PESO Capiz, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), the Office of the Provincial Governor, TESDA, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), PAVIC Visayas chapter, Yayasan Mitra Netra (Indonesia), with support from The Nippon Foundation.

Twelve employers from various industries joined the job fair, providing participants with opportunities to apply for available positions and engage directly with recruiters. Before the job fair, the participants were inspired by Mr. Dave Buenavista, a teacher with visual impairment, whose story of resilience encouraged them to pursue meaningful careers with confidence.

In his message, Governor Fredenil H. Castro underscored that disability should never be viewed as a limitation and announced that the Provincial Government of Capiz will allocate ₱2 million to ₱3 million to strengthen livelihood programs for persons with disabilities.

The event also featured discussions on the rights of persons with disabilities in employment, including the 1% government hiring requirement, employer incentives, and the provision of reasonable accommodations, alongside presentations on Employment Laws for People with Disabilities: Global and Philippine Perspectives presented by Ms. Jonalyn Lucas, Program Evaluation Officer III, Program Management Division of the National Council on Disability Affairs, presentation on livelihood programs of DSWD and DOLE that support entrepreneurship and sustainable income opportunities.

This initiative shows continued collaboration among government agencies, employers, and development partners to create more inclusive pathways to employment and economic empowerment for people with disabilities.

21/07/2026

21/07/2026

19/07/2026

Promoting Inclusive Employment Through Responsible Storytelling

As part of the 48th National Disability Rights (NDR) Week celebration, Resources for the Blind, Inc. (RBI) successfully conducted the National Orientation for Media Representatives on Promoting Inclusive Employment for Persons with Visual Impairments on July 14, 2026, at Privato Hotel, Quezon City.

The orientation brought together media practitioners and communication representatives to strengthen their understanding of disability inclusion and the media’s vital role in shaping accurate, respectful, and empowering narratives about persons with visual impairments. Through responsible and inclusive storytelling, the media can help foster greater awareness and promote equal employment opportunities for all.

The session featured Ms. Krissy Bisda as the resource speaker, who shared valuable insights on disability-inclusive communication and the importance of ethical and respectful media representation.

This initiative was organized by Resources for the Blind, Inc. (RBI) through the project "Empowerment Through Employment of Persons with Visual Impairment", in partnership with the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Yayasan Mitra Netra, with support from The Nippon Foundation.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners, speaker, and participants for their commitment to advancing disability-inclusive communication and employment.

Together, let us continue building a more inclusive society—one story at a time.

17/07/2026

Every person deserves the opportunity to learn, work, and thrive—not because of charity, but because employment is a fundamental right.
For far too long, many talented Filipinos with visual impairment have been overlooked, not because of a lack of ability, but because of barriers that limit access to opportunities. At Resources for the Blind, Inc. (RBI), we continue to believe in the untapped potential of the visually impaired community. When barriers are removed and the right support is provided, persons with visual impairment can contribute, lead, and excel alongside everyone else.
In solidarity with the celebration of the 48th National Disability Rights Week and this year's theme, "Rights First, Legislation Forward – Strategic Action for Equal Participation and Inclusive Development," RBI's Higher Education and Industry Inclusion Program, through the Empowerment through Employment Project, in partnership with the BLE-DOLE, DICT RO7, PESO LGUs, will conduct a series of inclusive job fairs that connect qualified job seekers with employers committed to building diverse and accessible workplaces.
📍 July 17 – Cebu City
📍 July 21 – Roxas City, Capiz
📍 July 24 – Davao City
📍 July 28 – Butuan City
These job fairs are more than employment events—they are a collective call to recognize that disability inclusion is about equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal participation. By opening doors to inclusive employment, we move closer to a society where every individual's skills, talents, and aspirations are valued.
Together, let us continue creating workplaces where potential is recognized, barriers are dismantled, and no one is left behind.

25/06/2026

RBI continues to champion disability inclusion on an international stage. Mr. Marlo Lucas, our Program Head of Higher Education and Industry Inclusion, recently attended the "Empowerment Through Employment of Persons with Visual Impairment" meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, alongside partners the Yayasan Mitra Netra, Indonesia, and Sao Mai Center for the Blind, Vietnam.
This meeting was vital for auditing the impact of our 2026 activities and strategizing for the second half of the year. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to developing a trilateral framework for the next stage of the project, aimed at scaling our inclusive employment model. We are optimistic that this collaborative synergy will attract the necessary sponsorship to sustain our momentum. Ultimately, our mission is to empower the Filipino community by breaking down barriers to employment and ensuring that persons with disabilities have a seat at the table. Glory to God for this opportunity.