INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR BLIND WORKERS
SOME FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW


     Misinformation about insurance coverage for blind workers
deprives many businesses of the contributions blind workers could
make.  Job Opportunities for the Blind (JOB) wants you to know
the facts.  Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked
questions about insurance and the blind.

Q:  WILL MY INSURANCE RATES GO UP IF I HIRE A BLIND PERSON?  
A:  NO.  Accident insurance rates are based on the actual
experience of a company, compared with the experience of other
companies in the same type of business. Individual
characteristics of workers are not considered when determining a
company's insurance rates.

Q:  ARE BLIND WORKERS A HIGHER INSURANCE RISK?
A:  NO.  Every study which has ever been done indicates that the
safety records of blind employees equal or exceed those of
sighted workers. In the terminology of the insurance industry,
there is no actuarial evidence that blind workers are a greater
risk.

Q:  SOME JOBS ARE CONSIDERED DANGEROUS FOR ANYONE. WOULD BLIND
WORKERS BE INSURABLE FOR THOSE JOBS, TOO?
A:  YES.  It is reasonable to assume that a blind worker faces
the same risk as a sighted worker. Problems arise when employers
assume that the blind are in greater danger. Simple alternative
techniques exist which make it possible for blind people to do
things which most people use sight to accomplish. Today blind
workers operate power tools and other heavy industrial machinery
safely and efficiently. Their employers do not pay higher
insurance premiums.

Q:  DO BLIND WORKERS QUALIFY FOR WORKMAN'S COMPENSATION ON THE
SAME BASIS AS OTHER WORKERS?
A:  YES.  An employer who hires a blind worker may not be charged
higher workman's compensation rates. Naturally, workers who are
already blind when they are hired cannot collect workman's
compensation based on blindness.  It is equally true that, if a
blind worker is injured on the job, blindness may not be used as
a reason for denying benefits which would otherwise be payable.

Q:  DO I HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO INFORM MY INSURANCE COMPANY THAT I
HAVE A BLIND EMPLOYEE?
A:  NO. Since blindness is not a lawful consideration in
determining liability or accident insurance rates, your insurance
company has no reason to know or care that you have hired a blind
person. Blindness is as irrelevant to insurance coverage as race
or religious affiliation, and questions about it from insurance
companies are discriminatory. 

Q:  IS THERE SOMETHING I CAN DO IF MY INSURANCE COMPANY REFUSES
COVERAGE OR CHARGES A HIGHER RATE BECAUSE I HAVE HIRED A BLIND
WORKER?
A:  YES.  Give your agent a copy of this pamphlet and suggest
that he or she consult officials at the insurance company's
headquarters. The question of insurance for blind workers arises
infrequently; this may be the first time your agent has dealt
with the issue. Fear of exceeding authority may be at the heart
of your agent's adverse decision.  
     If the insurance company's response is still negative, we
can help.  Job Opportunities for the Blind (JOB) staff and
volunteer field service representatives are experienced in
matters of insurance, non-discrimination law, and blind workers.
We would be happy to provide your insurance company with complete
information so that the company may make a lawful decision.
     Discrimination against the blind is generally based on
misinformation, not ill will. Most insurance companies will be
glad to reassess their decisions when they know the facts.

Q:  WHAT IS JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BLIND (JOB)?  
A:  Job Opportunities for the Blind is a project
of the National Federation of the Blind in partnership with the
U.S.  Department of Labor. The National Federation of the Blind
is the nation's oldest and largest organization of blind persons.
Because JOB is managed by the blind themselves, we can draw upon
the experiences of blind individuals in all walks of life. These
people volunteer their time and talents to help their fellow
blind find employment.
     That same expertise is available to employers. If you want
to know whether a blind person can do a particular job, chances
are good that we know blind people engaged in similar work.

Q:  HOW CAN JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BLIND HELP EMPLOYERS? 
A:  JOB can help you find qualified blind applicants to fill
vacancies in your company.

    *  JOB can help you and your blind employees devise simple,
often cost-free alternative techniques.
    *  JOB can provide you with the most current information
about computers and other specialized devices used by blind
workers.  
    *  JOB can conduct workshops for your staff to provide them
with correct information about blindness.

Q:  HOW CAN AN EMPLOYER CONTACT JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BLIND?
A:  WRITE OR CALL:

          Lorraine Rovig, Director
          JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BLIND 
          1800 Johnson Street
          Baltimore, Maryland 21230 
          In Wats (800) 638-7518
          Dial Direct (410) 659-9314

HIRING THE BLIND
GOOD LAWS ENCOURAGE IT!
GOOD SENSE RECOMMENDS IT!
GOOD BUSINESS DEMANDS IT!
AND INSURANCE IS NO BARRIER!



INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR BLIND WORKERS:  SOME FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Job Opportunities for the Blind
A Joint Project of the National Federation of the Blind
and the 
U.S. Department of Labo