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Competitive Edge Workplace Program

This Program Reveals the Untapped Resource for the Workforce That Will Give Companies the Competitive Edge


Discover the Thriving Blind Academy Competitive Edge Workplace Program, a trailblazing initiative that sparks a paradigm shift in the corporate landscape. This program serves as a powerful catalyst, illuminating the myriad advantages of hiring individuals who are blind. By showcasing their unparalleled skills and abilities, this program demonstrates how these remarkable individuals contribute a distinctive competitive edge that propels your company ahead. It's an opportunity to shatter preconceived notions and tap into untapped potential. Join us on a transformative journey that promises to enrich your workplace and amplify your success. Sign up for a call today to delve deeper into the benefits that await your organization through this program!

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Level the playing field...together.

young blind male walking with his white cane

The Crisis Is Real.

A 2021 Cost of Illness Study by Retina International found that the cost of NOT thriving with blindness to the US and Canadian economies is $31.7 billion.

A critical element of that cost is the unemployment rate in the blind community. 70% of the blind are unemployed. 

Blindness is not the cause of the high unemployment rate. A negative bias and inaccessibility are the root causes. The creators of this film know that because they are living proof that when access is available, succeeding without sight is possible.

This film, and the work of all partners involved, will change the negative bias against blindness and inspire employers to make the workplace accessible to level the playing field for blind employees. Experiencing this film will open your eyes to accessibility as The Greatest Equalizer and will reveal a key ingredient to having the competitive edge.



This film is for:

Employers/Corporate Teams/DEIA Professionals

Forget about checking your DEIA employment initiative boxes - this film will show you how hiring workers that are blind gives you the competitive edge and will answer your "how" questions with real examples. YOU can be a catalyst for ending the unemployment crisis for the blind!

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  Philanthropic Individuals & Organizations

The work of Thriving Blind Academy depends on generous supporters. This film will show you how we are solving a decades long crisis and empowering blind individuals to build the lives of their dreams. Everything is in place to crush the crisis. YOU can be the game changer and catalyst for a new era for the blind!

Book a Screening

Blind/Low Vision Individuals and BVI Organizations

If you are living with blindness/low vision and are NOT thriving in the career of your dreams, this film will show you that you CAN succeed without sight and will connect you to the resources to do so. Take responsibility to live the life of your dreams. Thriving begins with YOU!

Book a Screening

Production Partners of THE GREATEST EQUALIZER

FIlm crew of the greatest equalizer with co=creators, mike hess and kristin smedley


Although the film industry does not offer a surplus of opportunities for women or people with disabilities, The Greatest Equalizer was created and produced by a team of men and women that are blind and sighted. It stars a nearly all blind or visually impaired cast. (Production crew pictured on left on set in Denver, Colorado)

The following companies/organizations came together to create this message of inclusion:



Blind Institute of Technology Logo
Thriving Blind Academy logo
Salesforce logo
Insight Global Logo

About Thriving Blind Academy

At Thriving Blind Academy (TBA) we empower people that are blind or low vision to thrive in school, business, and life.

With online courses, coaching, and mentorship, the mission of Thriving Blind Academy is to solve the unemployment, literacy, and financial crisis of the blind community.

Become a Member
thriving blind academy logo on a laptop, ipad and phone

"Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much." - Helen Keller

Meet Thriving Blind Academy Presenters

Kristin smiling huge with long black hair and a blue denim jacket

Kristin Smedley, Co-Executive Producer, Resident of Newtown, PA

Kristin is the mom of three children, two of which were born with the rare blindness CRB1-LCA/RP. She is a TEDx speaker, nonprofit CEO, and best selling author of Thriving Blind: Stories of Real People Succeeding Without Sight and Brilliantly Resilient: Reset, Rise and Reveal Your Brilliance. Kristin is the Co-Founder of Thriving Blind Academy, a success strategies organization that is solving the unemployment, literacy, and financial crisis in the blind community. Kristin's children thrived in Council Rock schools and the greater Bucks County community.

charlie collins smiling wearing a dark sport coat and light blue shirt

Charlie Collins, Co-Founder

Thriving Blind Academy

Charlie is Co-Founder of Thriving Blind Academy and the SuccessAbility channel on YouTube, a certified Success Principles speaker/coach, and author of the book Tripping Into the Light. Charlie has been featured in two of Jack Canfield's The Success Principles books. Charlie was diagnosed with Stargardt's Disease in his teens and is legally blind.

LA Williams headshot

L.A. Williams,

Business Leader

L.A. Williams is the Vice President of Dealer Synergy. He has 10+ years of automotive sales experience. LA has trained thousands of Automotive Sales professionals, Internet/BDC professionals, Sales Managers, General Managers and Dealer Principals. LA is also a very successful music producer. He has produced tracks for Dr. Dre, Lil Wayne, Katy Perry, Karina Bradley, and scores more. L.A. is blind and attended Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia, PA

Headshot of mitchell smedley in a black tuxedo

Mitchell Smedley

Mitchell is a resident of Newtown, Bucks County. He was very successful in Council Rock schools and scored in the top 3% of high school students in the country that took the SAT test. He is now a sophomore in the Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Honors Program where he is studying Communications and Philosophy. He is host of two popular radio shows on campus; one is sports talk and the other a country music show. Mitchell was born blind due to CRB1-LCA.



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