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Editor’s note: The following blog has been updated as of February 2025. It provides job seekers and employers with tips for reducing the unemployment rate of individuals who are blind or have low vision.
The blind and low vision community faces a significant hurdle. The unemployment rate among people who are blind or have low vision is three times the rate of people who are sighted. Additionally, a high percentage of people who are blind or low vision are not even counted as being in the labor force, even in this day of advanced technology and favorable laws.
Naturally, the question is, “Why?” If I tried to tackle all the “why” elements, I could write enough posts to fill a month. Instead, I would like to promote cooperation between our community and employers, especially hiring managers.
Conquering Unemployment for Job Seekers
Individuals who are blind or have low vision are achieving success despite misconceptions and skepticism in the workplace.
A statistic is a snapshot in time. However, you may feel hopeless when you are one of those stats. However, continued unemployment is not your destiny. Current unemployment does not define who you are or what you will be.
1. Complete all the training available to you.
There are likely many local services available where you live. State agencies and nonprofit organizations can help you with independent living skills, vocational rehabilitation, education, and job readiness.
Mastering the skills to live and work independently will set you up for success.
2. Become a mentor for others.
When you find employment, celebrate your success by helping others achieve it. Consider becoming a mentor to a person who is blind or has low vision and is looking for work in your field.
Share your success with APH CareerConnect by writing a blog or being interviewed on Career Conversations. Volunteer or give a testimonial to the vocational rehabilitation agency or nonprofit that helped you.
3. Work your way up.
Ask about internal promotions, additional responsibilities, or leadership training. If opportunities are limited, consider how your experience could translate into a better position elsewhere.
Read Unexpected Turns Led Russell Shaffer to a Rewarding, Executive-Level Career.
Employers, you can help.
Do hiring managers understand what to anticipate when a job seeker who is blind or low vision appears for an interview?
To help improve employment outcomes of people who are blind or have low vision, we need employers to be open-minded. How can this be done? An employer can become knowledgeable about the issues and various adaptations or accommodations used by people who are blind or low vision.
1. Expand your knowledge of the issue.
This one is easy. If you are an employer/hiring manager who seeks to learn more about the issue, visit the Employers section of the APH ConnectCenter website. It is a one-stop shop for learning all you need to know about hiring and working with job seekers who are blind or low vision. Other sources include the American Foundation for the Blind and the Job Accommodation Network.
2. Pave the way to success.
Review the Job Accommodation Network’s reasonable accommodations in your recruiting materials, webpages, job announcements, etc. Progressive human resources departments ought to be aware of the most common accommodations requested and used by people who are blind or low vision.
Take your recruiting efforts to state agencies and nonprofits serving individuals who are blind or low vision.
3. Become an advocate.
When you have a worker who is blind or has low vision at your company, share it (appropriately, of course). Learn from the experience and become an advocate. Consider giving a testimonial about the hiring process, the reasonable accommodations, and the employee’s level of performance. Find a way to spread the good word about great experiences. Sharing stories with other employers or hiring managers helps extinguish the skepticism and misconceptions employers may harbor about workers who are blind or visually impaired.
Allow Me to Summarize
Unemployment is a major challenge. Despite advances in technology and disability rights, the unemployment rate remains high.Those of us who are blind or have low vision must stay committed to job seeking, continually sharpening our skills to navigate and contribute to the workforce.
Employers can play a key role by learning how to support and accommodate employees who are blind or have low vision.
We cannot do this without the teachers, counselors, and other professionals who work with us. With persistence and collaboration, we can break down barriers and build pathways to employment success.