Most of us spend at least one-third of our time at work. Because of this, our job does more than pay the bills—it challenges, shapes, and helps define us throughout our lives.

For adults with vision loss, it is especially important to stay engaged, active, and financially secure. A successful career can help with all of these. Achievement at work can also help overcome loss of self-confidence, optimism, and independence, which are often experienced by people with vision loss. Diminished sense of self can also contribute to social isolation and increased depression and anxiety. But a rewarding career and employment services can help!

What Are Employment and Vocational Rehabilitation Services?

Employment services, also called vocational rehabilitation (VR) and career services, are designed to help people with vision loss overcome professional, personal, and practical obstacles on the road to gainful employment.

Guided by employment specialists and vocational rehabilitation counselors, adults with vision loss can access a wide array of training, technology, and support to maintain an existing position or secure a new position.

Who is Eligible for Employment Services?

People living with blindness and low vision are usually eligible for employment services. An eye report following a comprehensive eye exam will confirm if a person meets the criteria for legal blindness or low vision. Depending on your level of vision loss, you may be eligible for specialized employment training and other government and state support.

Clients participate in a thorough evaluation of their goals, interests, and abilities. The counselor will determine which compensatory skills, tools, and technology may be required to help them achieve their employment goals. Services may include:

On-the-Job Support helps maximize success once employment begins, assisting clients as they assume new responsibilities, identifying which innovative hardware or software is best, examining workplace accommodations and adaptive equipment, and more.

• Career Counseling and Exploration help the job-seeker weigh options, establish goals, and create strategies for current and longer-term success.
• Orientation and Mobility Training (O&M) teaches people with vision loss to navigate the physical world safely and effectively at home and on the job. O&M training typically includes white cane training. Because travel presents people with blindness or low vision with unique challenges, O&M also helps adults with vision loss access and navigate public and private transportation, and use travel tech such as GPS, smartphone apps, and electronic travel aids.
• Access Technology, Assistive Devices and training provide clients with the latest hardware, software, and apps they need to work safely and effectively. These include common assistive devices and software, such as screen readers, braille keyboards, screen magnifiers, voice assistants, smartphone and tablet accessibility features, and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology.
• Job Development & Placement Services guide clients entering the workforce for the first time, transitioning to a new career, or re-engineering an existing position. From marketplace analysis and resume writing to job search and interview prep, the focus is on highlighting the client’s unique skills and any challenges they may experience.

Independent Living Skills Training

In addition to job-specific training, adults with vision loss benefit from daily living skills training for increased confidence, safety, and autonomy. This training helps adults manage all aspects of life at home and work. Training, devices, home modifications, and other skills help with essential daily activities. 

Work enriches us all in so many ways. For people living with vision loss who want to work—whether entering the job market for the first time or returning to a career later in life—employment services provide the crucial training and support needed to overcome barriers and achieve meaningful, rewarding employment for life.