When participants from VISIONS Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired arrived at the Salesforce Tower in New York City in June 2025, the atmosphere buzzed with curiosity and connection. As attendees explored the space — guided by audio-enabled elevators and wide ADA-accessible doors — they discovered more than an office tour. They found a glimpse into a future where technology, accessibility, and opportunity intersect.

This all-day networking and learning event was hosted by Salesforce Workforce Navigators, a program that empowers professionals with disabilities through Salesforce skills training, assistive technology support, and job placement resources. 

VISIONS Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people of all ages who are blind or have low vision live independent, active lives. Through rehabilitation training, employment development, and community education, VISIONS equips individuals with the tools and confidence to succeed at home, at work, and in the world.

VISIONS has been collaborating with Salesforce for several years through mentorship programs, certification training, and networking opportunities designed to help participants gain skills for today’s agent-powered workplace. Several VISIONS staff members have even become Salesforce certified administrators, helping guide job seekers through learning the platform and earning credentials that strengthen their résumés.

Abilityforce is the Salesforce Employee Resource Group for people with disabilities, their loved ones, and allies. Its mission is to create a culture of belonging where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued — regardless of ability. The group advocates for accessibility in both the physical and digital workplace, promotes education to reduce stigma, and extends its impact beyond Salesforce through partnerships that advance inclusion across industries.

For Abilityforce, partnerships like the one with VISIONS are part of a broader vision: to use Salesforce’s platform and community to expand access to technology and career pathways for people with disabilities around the world.

This year’s event marked the second time VISIONS participants visited Salesforce Tower. While the previous session focused on college students exploring internship opportunities, the most recent  gathering centered on adult job seekers actively preparing for employment or career transitions.

Attendees spent the day networking with Salesforce employees, exploring hands-on learning with Trailhead, and participating in presentations on AI, accessibility, and the evolving world of work. Volunteers from Abilityforce shared their own experiences navigating their careers at Salesforce and the accommodations and inclusive practices that make those journeys possible. 

The event also included baked goods from Invictus, a culinary organization that provides job opportunities for people with disabilities.

For many participants, the event expanded what they imagined was possible in tech careers.
“When people hear ‘Salesforce,’ they often think you need to be a programmer,” said Deanna Calamusa, Director of Career Services for VISIONS. “But this event helped people see how many different paths exist — from administration and customer success to project management and accessibility advocacy.”

Attendees also learned about Trailhead, the Salesforce free learning platform, which offers accessible, screen-reader-compatible modules that allow users to learn at their own pace. Several participants followed up afterward to begin Trailhead badges or apply for the Salesforce mentorship program — building momentum that continues long after the event.

Interest in AI was another key theme. Participants were eager to understand how artificial intelligence is shaping the workforce and how Salesforce technology can make AI tools more inclusive for people with disabilities.

These collaborations leave a lasting impact on both VISIONS participants and Salesforce employees.

“The energy in the room is always hopeful,” says Madison Rosen, an Executive Talent Manager at Salesforce. “You can see people realizing, ‘I didn’t know this was possible for me.’ That sense of possibility is what makes this work so meaningful.”

For Joelle Ramiandrisoa, Associate Technical Consultant at Salesforce, accessibility is central to innovation. “It reminds me that accessibility isn’t just about compliance — it’s about making sure everyone can fully participate.”

VISIONS participants agree. “Hearing employees share their own stories about working at Salesforce — and the resources available — is incredibly powerful,” says Calamusa. “It shows our community that accessibility and opportunity truly go hand in hand.”

This collaboration has already produced measurable outcomes. Through Workforce Navigators mentorship cohorts, over a dozen VISIONS job seekers have gained professional guidance, earned Salesforce certifications, and secured meaningful employment.

For Salesforce, the partnership reinforces how accessibility and innovation fuel one another. “It’s a good reminder that accessibility needs to stay at the heart of how we build our products,” says Rosen. “It’s not just about technology — it’s about people.”

Both organizations are eager to continue growing their partnership, with Workforce Navigators playing a key role in maintaining and strengthening the connection. Looking ahead, the evolution includes  more hands-on demos of assistive technology, expanded mentorship opportunities, and sessions on topics like AI for inclusion and accessible product design.

“The goal,” Calamusa explained, “is to keep showing our job seekers that they have a place in the tech industry — and that companies like Salesforce are working to make sure accessibility is built in from the start.”

At its core, the Abilityforce and VISIONS partnership,with the support of Workforce Navigators, is about more than careers. It’s about connection: using technology and community to remove barriers and create opportunities.

As Rosen sums up, “Giving back and helping others get their foot in the door is one of my core values. Seeing people leave inspired and hopeful — that’s what inclusion in action looks like.”

Together, Salesforce and VISIONS are proving that when organizations unite around accessibility, they don’t just open doors — they build pathways to independence, opportunity, and belonging.