{"id":71390,"date":"2023-09-21T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/?p=71390"},"modified":"2023-09-21T09:26:49","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T16:26:49","slug":"blind-institute-technology-trailblazer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/blind-institute-technology-trailblazer\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;True Equity&#8217;: Why a Trailblazer Left His Six-Figure Job to Start a Nonprofit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Quick take:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Legally blind since childhood, Trailblazer and Golden Hoodie winner Mike Hess leveraged his successful career and experience to found the Blind Institute of Technology (BIT).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BIT, a global nonprofit staffing and recruiting agency exclusively dedicated to professionals with disabilities, joined forces with Salesforce\u2019s Workforce Navigators program to make careers in tech more accessible.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Together, BIT and Salesforce are working to close the employment gap for people with disabilities.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>As a young child, Mike Hess had no idea what being \u201cblind\u201d meant. It was something that his mom and doctors said would soon affect him, but the true nature of being blind was far beyond his mind\u2019s grasp.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And although Hess grew up knowing his sight would continue to fail, he put off that reality as long as possible. As he entered the workforce, Hess would even pretend to be sighted when interviewing for jobs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGrowing up, the systemic stigma of being part of the blind community was pretty bleak. I heard about social security and disability. Career guidance was to stay on government assistance,\u201d shared Hess. \u201cI needed to get a job. I was married with two kids. So I was afraid to share my disability until after I had a job offer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I needed to get a job. I was married with two kids. So I was afraid to share my disability until after I had a job offer.<\/p>\n<cite>Mike Hess, founder of the Blind Institute of Technology<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>As his degenerative retinal disease worsened in his early 20s, Hess could no longer \u201cfake\u201d it. He struggled with the concept. And he began to wonder, \u201c<em>Why<\/em> am I blind?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-finding-purpose-in-pain\">Finding purpose in pain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>That question remained unanswered over the next 20 years as Hess built a successful career in the private tech sector. During that time, however, Hess shared that he always felt like the \u201ctoken blind guy.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEven after making it into corporate America and succeeding, there\u2019s this internal conversation in your head saying you don\u2019t deserve to be there,\u201d said Hess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Even after making it into corporate America and succeeding, there\u2019s this internal conversation in your head saying you don\u2019t deserve to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>Mike Hess, founder of the Blind Institute of Technology<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The feeling left him again thinking about the \u201cwhy\u201d of his disability. Was there something he could do to help others in a similar position?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fueled in part by this question, Hess decided to take a bold new step. He left his career to pursue a greater purpose: leveraging his experience with blindness in the workforce to help others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A new purpose, forged from a career\u2019s worth of insight<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2013, Hess founded the Blind Institute of Technology (BIT), with a goal of reducing the unemployment rate for the blind and visually impaired community.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOne of the greatest untapped human resources on the planet is the blind and visually impaired community, and broader disability community,\u201d said Hess.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Statistics support that claim. According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/news.release\/pdf\/disabl.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a>, in 2019, fewer than 20% of people with a disability were employed. This disparity extends to people who are blind; with unemployment <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fastcompany.com\/90418293\/the-challenges-of-being-blind-in-the-workplace#:~:text=The%20most%20recent%20data%20from,4.8%25%20for%20people%20without%20disabilities.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">among this group at 10%<\/a>, about double the national average.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vidyard wp-block-embed-vidyard\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" async src=\"https:\/\/play.vidyard.com\/embed\/v4.js\"><\/script><img decoding=\"async\"  style=\"width: 100%; margin: auto; display: block;\"  class=\"vidyard-player-embed\"  src=\"https:\/\/play.vidyard.com\/aZcbCzTq2xEA1yeEvKrPq1.jpg\"  data-uuid=\"aZcbCzTq2xEA1yeEvKrPq1\"  data-v=\"4\"  data-type=\"inline\"  data-width=\"500\"  data-height=\"281\"\/>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Hess saw an opportunity to close this gap by ensuring technology training was fully accessible. His experience gave Hess a unique perspective about the potential of people like him to succeed with the right tools.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLess than 10% of websites globally are accessible digitally with screen readers,\u201d shared Hess. \u201cTechnology has the ability to level the playing field, in turn providing more employment opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Building upon that simple truth, Hess, at the helm of BIT, set about to do just that. Already familiar with the Salesforce platform, Hess designed a virtual training series to enable anyone, anywhere in the world, regardless of visual impairment, to become a Salesforce admin.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Partnering for good<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Around the same time, Salesforce\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/company\/accessibility\/overview\/?d=cta-body-promo-8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Office of Accessibility<\/a> was launching a new workforce development program. <a href=\"https:\/\/workforcenavigators.salesforce.com\/?d=cta-body-promo-8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Workforce Navigators<\/a> aimed to support job seekers with disabilities who were interested in a career in the Salesforce ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, the company could not do it alone. Sarah Mark, Senior Program Manager of Workforce Navigators at Salesforce, needed to partner with a nonprofit focused on employment for people with disabilities \u2014 and it wasn\u2019t easy to find.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"more-from-block more-from-block--2 alignfull wp-block-newsroom-moreontopic\">\n\t<div class=\"more-from-block__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"more-from-block__title\">Related<\/h4>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"more-from-block__cards more-from-block__cards--2\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\n<article\t\t\titemscope=\"\"\n\t\titemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Article\"\n\t\tdata-card-id=\"89190\"\n\t\tclass=\"content-card content-card--large-inline is-entire-area-clickable content-card--is-boxed\"\n\t\t\tdata-clickable-area-link=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/military-veteran-program-announcement-2025\/\"\n\t>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"content-card__image-container\" itemprop=\"image\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t<img 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AI\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div itemprop=\"readTime\" class=\"content-card__read-time\">\n\t\t\t\t5 min read\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<article\t\t\titemscope=\"\"\n\t\titemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Article\"\n\t\tdata-card-id=\"88509\"\n\t\tclass=\"content-card content-card--large-inline is-entire-area-clickable content-card--is-boxed\"\n\t\t\tdata-clickable-area-link=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/best-places-to-work-disability-2025\/\"\n\t>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"content-card__image-container\" itemprop=\"image\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t<img width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/Salesforce-Celebrates-Its-Seventh-Time-Topping-Best-Places-to-Work-for-Disability-Inclusion-List.png?w=1024\" class=\"content-card__image\" alt=\"Man in Salesforce Trailblazer hoodie walks through San Francisco with his guide dog.\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/Salesforce-Celebrates-Its-Seventh-Time-Topping-Best-Places-to-Work-for-Disability-Inclusion-List.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/Salesforce-Celebrates-Its-Seventh-Time-Topping-Best-Places-to-Work-for-Disability-Inclusion-List.png?w=300&amp;h=169 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/Salesforce-Celebrates-Its-Seventh-Time-Topping-Best-Places-to-Work-for-Disability-Inclusion-List.png?w=768&amp;h=432 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/07\/Salesforce-Celebrates-Its-Seventh-Time-Topping-Best-Places-to-Work-for-Disability-Inclusion-List.png?w=1024&amp;h=576 1024w, 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class=\"pagination-fallback\">\n\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71390\/page\/2\/?bc=OTH#section-title\">\n\t\t\tOlder Posts\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/noscript>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe started the program right when COVID-19 hit. It was difficult to plan and launch it when everyone was focused on adjusting to a new way of life brought about by the pandemic,\u201d she explained.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After she became aware of BIT, though, Mark knew they had found the right partner. \u201cWhen I met with Mike, I learned that he had already been successful in running a training series for Salesforce Admins in a completely virtual environment. He was confident they could facilitate training regularly and sustainably,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A successful partnership built on shared values<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, BIT is the strategic partner for Workforce Navigators, providing a diverse talent pipeline to the Salesforce ecosystem. BIT is responsible for facilitating the training offered through Workforce Navigators, while Salesforce employees may volunteer to mentor <a href=\"https:\/\/workforcenavigators.salesforce.com\/mentorship\/?d=cta-body-promo-8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">trainees<\/a>. Working closely with the Workforce Navigators team, BIT also created customized Trailhead instructions for screen readers to enable a more seamless experience for blind and low vision professionals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBIT has been an incredible partner,\u201d said Catherine Nichols, VP of the Office of Accessibility at Salesforce. \u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to have found an organization so aligned with the values of the Office of Accessibility \u2014 to create an even playing field in the world for people with disabilities. We can\u2019t accomplish this alone, so we\u2019re thrilled to have Mike and his team at BIT by our side.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>We\u2019re thrilled to have found an organization so aligned with the values of the Office of Accessibility \u2014 to create an even playing field in the world for people with disabilities.&#8221;<\/p>\n<cite>Catherine Nichols, VP of the Office of Accessibility<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Just three years into the launch of Salesforce\u2019s Workforce Navigator\u2019s program, 141 job seekers have completed training (26 Salesforce<strong> <\/strong>have been certified), and 33 have been placed with employment. Hess credits the technology platform and company\u2019s alignment with his own values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI chose the Salesforce platform because the company has a solid understanding of the importance of accessibility. They welcome blockers encountered and prioritize resolving any issues we find related to accessibility,\u201d said Hess.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finding new opportunities with AI<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, Hess and Salesforce are focused on the future: artificial intelligence (AI). Perhaps most importantly, they\u2019re looking at how this technology can help continue their mission of closing the disability employment gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFrom the beginning of design, Salesforce embeds accessibility into its technology. If AI is leveraged effectively, we can get clear descriptions of what a visual picture actually looks like. Salesforce and AI have the ability to allow people like me to take their career to the next level,\u201d Hess said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Salesforce and AI have the ability to allow people like me to take their career to the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>Mike Hess, Trailblazer, Golden Hoodie winner, and founder of the Blind Institute of Technology (BIT).<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>And at AI\u2019s biggest event, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/dreamforce\/?d=cta-body-promo-8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dreamforce 2023<\/a>, Hess was awarded one of the highest honors in the Salesforce Trailblazer Community: a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/blog\/golden-hoodie-tradition-inspires\/?d=cta-body-promo-8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Golden Hoodie<\/a>. The award recognizes those who exemplify inspiration and innovation \u2014 a perfect fit for someone who has dedicated his career to helping others with technology.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"6300\" height=\"4200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-71424\" data-id=\"71424\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9234.jpg?w=1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9234.jpg 6300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9234.jpg?w=300&amp;h=200 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9234.jpg?w=768&amp;h=512 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9234.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=683 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9234.jpg?w=1536&amp;h=1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9234.jpg?w=2048&amp;h=1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9234.jpg?w=264&amp;h=176 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9234.jpg?w=500&amp;h=333 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9234.jpg?w=678&amp;h=452 678w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9234.jpg?w=150&amp;h=100 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9234.jpg?w=290&amp;h=193 290w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9234.jpg?w=1218&amp;h=812 1218w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 6300px) 100vw, 6300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Mike Hess received his Golden Hoodie at Dreamforce 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"6300\" height=\"4200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-71425\" data-id=\"71425\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9251.jpg?w=1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9251.jpg 6300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9251.jpg?w=300&amp;h=200 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9251.jpg?w=768&amp;h=512 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9251.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=683 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9251.jpg?w=1536&amp;h=1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9251.jpg?w=2048&amp;h=1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9251.jpg?w=264&amp;h=176 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9251.jpg?w=500&amp;h=333 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9251.jpg?w=678&amp;h=452 678w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9251.jpg?w=150&amp;h=100 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9251.jpg?w=290&amp;h=193 290w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9251.jpg?w=1218&amp;h=812 1218w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 6300px) 100vw, 6300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Mike Hess received his Golden Hoodie at Dreamforce 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"6300\" height=\"4200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-71426\" data-id=\"71426\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9256.jpg?w=1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9256.jpg 6300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9256.jpg?w=300&amp;h=200 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9256.jpg?w=768&amp;h=512 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9256.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=683 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9256.jpg?w=1536&amp;h=1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9256.jpg?w=2048&amp;h=1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9256.jpg?w=264&amp;h=176 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9256.jpg?w=500&amp;h=333 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9256.jpg?w=678&amp;h=452 678w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9256.jpg?w=150&amp;h=100 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9256.jpg?w=290&amp;h=193 290w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9256.jpg?w=1218&amp;h=812 1218w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 6300px) 100vw, 6300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Mike Hess received his Golden Hoodie at Dreamforce 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"6300\" height=\"4200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-71427\" data-id=\"71427\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9263.jpg?w=1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9263.jpg 6300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9263.jpg?w=300&amp;h=200 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9263.jpg?w=768&amp;h=512 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9263.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=683 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9263.jpg?w=1536&amp;h=1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9263.jpg?w=2048&amp;h=1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9263.jpg?w=264&amp;h=176 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9263.jpg?w=500&amp;h=333 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9263.jpg?w=678&amp;h=452 678w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9263.jpg?w=150&amp;h=100 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9263.jpg?w=290&amp;h=193 290w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9263.jpg?w=1218&amp;h=812 1218w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 6300px) 100vw, 6300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Mike Hess received his Golden Hoodie at Dreamforce 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"6300\" height=\"4200\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-71428\" data-id=\"71428\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9310.jpg?w=1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9310.jpg 6300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9310.jpg?w=300&amp;h=200 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9310.jpg?w=768&amp;h=512 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9310.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=683 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9310.jpg?w=1536&amp;h=1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9310.jpg?w=2048&amp;h=1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9310.jpg?w=264&amp;h=176 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9310.jpg?w=500&amp;h=333 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9310.jpg?w=678&amp;h=452 678w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9310.jpg?w=150&amp;h=100 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9310.jpg?w=290&amp;h=193 290w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/09\/DF23-230912-JM1_9310.jpg?w=1218&amp;h=812 1218w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 6300px) 100vw, 6300px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Mike Hess received his Golden Hoodie at Dreamforce 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMe standing on the Dreamforce stage was a historic moment in time for all people with disabilities,\u201d said Hess. \u201cMarc Benioff said business is the greatest platform for change. For this community, that change means commitment to digital equity. Salesforce was the first tech company to commit to digital equity. In 10 years, I\u2019ll look back and remember this moment as the game changer that made it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hess has long since stopped questioning why he is blind.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI found the reason,\u201d he said. \u201cI was born blind to truly help create equity, true equity for professionals with disabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More information:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/workforcenavigators.salesforce.com\/?d=cta-body-promo-8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read about<\/a> the Salesforce Workforce Navigator program&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For more on BIT, <a href=\"https:\/\/blindinstituteoftechnology.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">go here<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Read more news and stories from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/collections\/dreamforce-2023\/?d=cta-body-promo-8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dreamforce 2023<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Quick take: As a young child, Mike Hess had no idea what being \u201cblind\u201d meant. It was something that his mom and doctors said would soon affect him, but the true nature of being blind was far beyond his mind\u2019s grasp.&nbsp;&nbsp; And although Hess grew up knowing his sight would continue to fail, he put [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":71412,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sf_subhead":"","sf_i18n_disclaimer":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"alternateThumbnailId":0,"sf_product_cta_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"sf_content_type":[1728],"sf_theme":[],"sf_topic":[1737,1766],"sf_product":[],"sf_industry":[],"sf_role":[],"sf_multimedia_asset":[],"sf_location":[1798],"sf_collection":[5619],"sf_visibility":[],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-71390","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","sf_content_type-snapshots","sf_topic-artificial-intelligence","sf_topic-equality","sf_location-global","sf_collection-dreamforce-2023"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - 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