PEOPLE The Vision Council’s Report Starts the Diversity and Inclusion Conversation By Staff Monday, May 24, 2021 12:52 AM RELATED CONTENT Rising to the Challenge National Optometric Association Expands Its Voice on Behalf of Minority Optometrists Open Your Eyes Scholarships Support Students’ Path to Opticianry Schools Black EyeCare Perspective Expands Its Connections and Development on Many Fronts CEO Action Pledge for Diversity and Inclusion Signed by National Vision’s CEO Optometric Colleges Deepen their Diversity Commitments Opening Your Eyes! The First Look at the Industry’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Survey Range of DEI Courses and Discussions Are Slated for Vision Expo Orlando in June The Vision Council’s 2020 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Survey Report provides an in-depth analysis of the custom survey fielded to the vision care community in November 2020. The confidential survey, developed in partnership with Nonprofit HR, one of the leading full-service human resources firms focused exclusively on the nonprofit sector with expertise in DEI consulting, was designed to benchmark the vision care leadership landscape in order to help organizations within the industry identify opportunities they have to promote diversity, cultivate talent and improve their performance, the Council said. The Vision Council’s main goals in commissioning the survey included: to assess diversity, inclusion, and career perceptions within the optical industry; to understand if certain populations were experiencing the industry differently; and to obtain feedback on how The Vision Council and other network organizations can provide support in this area. The report provides an analysis and overview of the survey results in five key topic areas: DEI Commitment, Belonging, Inclusive Culture, Equity & Systems, and Rewards, Recognition and Advancement. The survey was open to all members of the vision care products and services industry and was fielded from November 9-24, 2020. The survey received 1,527 usable responses, all U.S.-based. The industry segment breakdown of the 1,527 respondents includes: Independent Eyecare and Retail: 37 percent Academia: 20 percent Supplier and Manufacturer: 19 percent Corporate Eyecare and Retail: 16 percent Industry group or other (includes buying groups, trade media, nonprofit organizations): 8 percent Additionally, of the 1,527 respondents, 61 percent identify as female, 38 percent as male and less than one percent as gender non-binary or non-conforming. The Vision Council noted, that when reviewing the report, the percentage scores indicate strengths or areas of opportunity. The scale below is provided to offer additional context and consideration for the results of the survey: Items above 85 percent are typically viewed as strengths. Items between 84 percent and 70 percent are a mix of emerging strengths or areas to be aware of. Items below 75 percent indicate areas of opportunity.