Careers for Blind and Low Vision Individuals
This content is also available in:
Español (Spanish)
People who are blind or have low vision choose their career paths based on their interests, skills, and values—just like their sighted peers. While some job tasks may require adaptations or assistive technology, individuals with vision loss can pursue meaningful and successful careers across all industries.
Are there specific job opportunities available for people who are blind or have low vision?
People often wonder what types of jobs individuals who are blind or visually impaired can do. The truth? Almost anything. There is no separate list of jobs or careers specifically designated for people who are blind or have low vision. In the United States, individuals with vision loss work in every sector, including marketing, human services, business management and administration, health science, law, and agriculture, among many others.
Job seekers with vision loss often assess their capabilities (what they’ve learned and practiced), their talents (natural strengths), and their values (what matters most in a job or work environment) to make informed career decisions.
Blind and Low Vision Individuals Hold All Types of Jobs
Here are just a few of the jobs and careers blind and low vision individuals currently hold:
- Customer service representatives
- Journalists and podcasters
Explore the journey of Steve Elliot, a blind Administrative Law Judge who has dedicated his career to advocacy and justice.
Many advance their careers and are promoted to supervisory and management leadership roles. They work in the private sector (including nonprofit and for-profit organizations), local, state, and federal government, as well as in self-employment as entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurship
People with visual impairments can also be entrepreneurs. A unique avenue for individuals who are blind or have low vision to pursue entrepreneurship is to apply for the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) through their state’s vocational rehabilitation agency. The BEP was created under the Randolph-Sheppard Act and provides business opportunities for individuals to run vending stands in the lobbies of government buildings, in rest areas along state highways, and occasionally on military bases.
Careers in Computer Coding
Technology is a rapidly growing field with numerous opportunities, and individuals who are blind or have low vision are increasingly making their mark in careers such as computer programming, software development, and IT support. Just as with any career, success in coding begins with interest, skill-building, and the right tools. For visually impairmed job seekers, assistive technologies such as screen readers, braille displays, and magnification software make it entirely possible to learn, write, and test computer code.
Coding is a great example of how accommodations and accessibility open the door to high-demand, competitive careers. The same digital tools that make everyday communication and workplace tasks accessible also enable professionals to work effectively in technology-related roles. From building websites to developing software applications, blind and low vision professionals are helping shape the future of technology.
Explore the career path of a blind senior software engineer. Read his blog and watch his video interview.
Job Accommodations
You may wonder how someone can succeed in a job without sight. Many make their work accessible and efficient using reasonable accommodations.
People who are blind or low vision have varying degrees of functional vision and use a range of techniques to complete their work tasks. Some rely on vision-based strategies, while others work more efficiently using non-visual methods. Most benefit from accommodations that enable them to work competitively with their sighted colleagues.
Job accommodations are adjustments to a task or work environment that enable individuals with vision loss to fulfill their job responsibilities. Employers are generally required to provide reasonable accommodations. If an accommodation would cause undue hardship for the employer, vocational rehabilitation services may help cover the cost. Common, affordable, and effective accommodations include:
- Glare reduction and adjustable lighting
- Computers equipped with screen readers, magnification software, and OCR (optical character recognition)
- Braille displays, large monitors, or digital cameras
- Large print, tactile, or talking tools such as scales, tape measures, thermometers, calculators, and money identifiers
Find more information on workplace accommodations here.
APH CareerConnect offers a comprehensive suite of tools, guides, and resources for both active job seekers and hiring managers. Our organization, along with many others, works daily to educate and inform the public about what is possible. Together, we are helping to reduce the unemployment rate among working-aged blind and low-vision adults.
Impact of Laws on Employment
Accommodations are often made possible because of legal protections that safeguard the rights of people with disabilities in the workplace. Civil rights laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) also protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination in all phases of employment—from application to promotion. These protections apply to state and federal positions, as well as to private employers with 15 or more employees. In addition, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 provides funding and support for vocational rehabilitation services. As a result, individuals who are blind or low vision have access to training programs and resources designed to prepare them for employment and help them succeed in the workplace.
Learning about Workplaces
In addition to legal protections and training services, individuals who are blind or low vision benefit from early exposure to different work environments.
Teens and adults with vision loss may not learn about career options the same way sighted individuals do. Because they cannot visually observe people at work, they may be unaware of the full range of career possibilities. To address this, individuals with blindness or low vision benefit from career exploration experiences, such as workplace visits, informational interviews, job shadowing, volunteering, and internships. These opportunities help build awareness of job roles, tasks, required skills, and training pathways, empowering individuals to make informed career choices.
Job Exploration Process
Everyone, regardless of vision, learns about their preferences through job exploration. Identifying what you enjoy—and what you don’t—is a critical part of career planning. For instance, if you are interested in retail but dislike extreme weather conditions, you might choose to work in a clothing or grocery store instead of at an outdoor garden center. Understanding your environmental preferences and personal comfort helps you narrow your job options productively.
Blind and Low Vision Workers Thriving
As individuals identify their interests and preferences through exploration, real-life employment stories offer both mentorship and insight into how people with vision loss navigate their career trajectories and work.
Visit Employment Stories and Career Conversations to hear directly from blind and low vision professionals. These real-life accounts highlight how people succeed in diverse careers and provide insights into how they navigate their jobs with or without accommodations.
Conclusion
Individuals who are blind or low vision can pursue successful careers in any field with the right support and accommodations. As more people thrive in roles across industries, they challenge outdated assumptions and show that vision loss is not a barrier to meaningful employment.
Additional Resources
Check out 5 Courses for Career Success with the Job Seeker’s Toolkit