Tags: #NDEAM, blindness, Braille, orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation
Bell, E. C. (2010). Competitive employment for consumers who are legally blind: A 10-year retrospective study. Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development, 47(2), 109-116.
Finding a job that pays a living wage (or more) when you have vision loss can be tough, but things are looking up. Rates of employment for people with vision loss have been steadily increasing from 27% in 1997 to 37% in 2007.
What are some factors that can improve the outcome for someone to find stable employment with a competitive wage?
A recent literature review in the Journal of Blindness Innovation and Research and recent survey conducted by the Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness at Louisiana Tech University provides some interesting insight into the factors that have shown to be important in a person’s chances of finding and maintaining employment.
Employers, of course, are half the equation. Here are some traits they feel make a successful employee with vision loss:
The research also noted other factors that contribute to successful and sustained employment:
If we can help with any of the skills above or advice on getting started with vision rehabilitation, give us a call at Second Sense. We’re here to help you reach your goals!
Kathy is the Community Engagement Specialist and Volunteer Coordinator at Second Sense.