Suraweera, T.Dunuwila, V. R.2025-10-172025-10-172019-10-17Peradeniya International Economics Research Symposium (PIERS) – 2019, University of Peradeniya, P 68 - 71978955589284123861568https://ir.lib.pdn.ac.lk/handle/20.500.14444/5520Introduction People with visual impairment and blindness (VI&B) represent the majority of the differently abled population in most communities (WHO, 2011) where social inclusion in the workplace has always been a challenge. They are more likely to be overly sympathized, negatively viewed or even teased which results in them being excluded from society (Zainol et al., 2018). Social inclusion of diverse communities is a key element of social sustainability coming under UN Global Compact principles. Thus, a high priority has been given to studies dealing with social inclusion, which include the improvement of orientation & mobility and social acceptance aimed at empowering employees with VI&B. This paper focuses on the challenges associated with social inclusion encountered by the employees with VI&B in the workplace. Employees with VI&B do not enjoy full integration in the workplace due to the lack of social support. Inability to navigate through social venues, failure to recognize co-workers, inability to obtain food and drink without assistance and the need to rely on colleagues for assistance are some of the barriers that exclude them from socializing (Naraine & Lindsay, 2011). Alma et al. (2012) highlight personal value attached to participation and the size of their social network as major determinants of social inclusion, while factors such as self- perceived vision and degree of visual impairment has no relationship to social inclusion of the visually impaired adults. Thus, it is imperative to investigate the issues of social inclusion of employees with VI&B for implementing new policies, support services and intervention programs towards enhancing their social inclusion (Hagiliassis et al. 2014) and in turn to guarantee social sustainability.enSocial InclusionVisual ImpairmentBlindnessWorkplaceArticle