Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Worried that being unable to drive will bar me from getting a STEM Job. (self.Blind)
submitted by TwinPurpleEagle
I'm a freshman in college double majoring in environmental science and geology.
I was browsing some of the entry level field work jobs such as the ones posted on Texas A&M's job board. I noticed that every single position asks you to have a valid driver's license.
The problem is that I'm unable to obtain a driver's license. I'm visually impaired and my vision is too poor for me to drive safely. I simply can't drive even if I wanted to. It's just too dangerous for me. I'm completely blind in my left eye and have 20/100 vision in my right.
I really love what I'm learning, but I'm really worried I won't be able to get a job if I'm rejected from every single position I apply to simply because I don't have a driver's license.
In case it matters, I live in California and I'm thinking of maybe going into environmental consulting. I'm only a freshman so of course I may wildly change my mind. I definitely plan on going to grad school.
I really don't want to have to change majors, but I'm really worried I'm on a path to dig my own grave if I can't get a job even with a Master's degree.
I was browsing some of the entry level field work jobs such as the ones posted on Texas A&M's job board. I noticed that every single position asks you to have a valid driver's license.
The problem is that I'm unable to obtain a driver's license. I'm visually impaired and my vision is too poor for me to drive safely. I simply can't drive even if I wanted to. It's just too dangerous for me. I'm completely blind in my left eye and have 20/100 vision in my right.
I really love what I'm learning, but I'm really worried I won't be able to get a job if I'm rejected from every single position I apply to simply because I don't have a driver's license.
In case it matters, I live in California and I'm thinking of maybe going into environmental consulting. I'm only a freshman so of course I may wildly change my mind. I definitely plan on going to grad school.
I really don't want to have to change majors, but I'm really worried I'm on a path to dig my own grave if I can't get a job even with a Master's degree.
bright_side1977 9 points 4y ago
Ask potential employers about the DL requirement. Explain that you don’t have one because of a disability. It’s better to ask before you change majors.
ravenshadow2013 5 points 4y ago
As a job coach my advise to you is to talk to the professors and councilors they "should be able to answer your concerns and pave the way for you to be able to expand your career path. On a second note I am a VI job couch which requires me to travel I have worked out ways of getting around the state I live in , either public transit or I sometimes hire a driver to take me where I need to go, there are always ways around our disabilities sometimes we just have to work a little harder than everyone else, you got this dont ever give up
Amonwilde 6 points 4y ago
It's funny, I've very rarely had any useful help from a counsellor or professor about VI issues. Most of them know little or nothing about being VI. My own advice would be to take a hard and serious look at the jobs that are out there for that major in places you want to live that don't require driving. If there aren't people in big cities doing the job with public transportation, then you should either find a job in the same field or that uses the same major to shoot for that matches those criteria or you should consider switchingmajors. Remember that you can double major as a hedge against these eventualities in many schools. You might consider something highly employable if you can stomach it, such as economics, math, and CS. People will always tell you to chase your dreams because that's what they're supposed to do, but they're not the ones who have to deal with real consequences if you can't find a job. Do chase dreams, but you should also be hardheaded and pragmatic when thinking about doing jobs with VI.
ravenshadow2013 5 points 4y ago
I was a VI plumber for more than 30 years, family run business but for more than 15 years I ran a section of the business that held state contracts where I and my crews would do the work, I got the contracts I went to the sites and wrote up the estimates, I measured the pipe and fittings we needed. Now as a job couch and employment councilor I place the same Ideals I used back then to train and get my clients jobs that they are qualified for as well as see to it that they are paid the same as their peers. Sorry about the rant but I dont believe that any VI person should have to change for the world around them, when it's the world around them that needs to change
Amonwilde 3 points 4y ago
Sounds like great work and I agree with you in principle. My own personal experiences have led me to emphasize self-reliance, but I benefit every day from people who have advocated for change as it sounds like you have. So thanks and respect!
ravenshadow2013 1 points 4y ago
here in the next few days I am going to announce to the public the completion of a project I've been working on for a long time, I have decided to change careers
ENTJ351 5 points 4y ago
They should have acomodations or be willing to acomodate. There are blind scientists. Also, in many cases your major doesn’t always have to allign with your job.
beadaholic94 5 points 4y ago
If you don’t live in a city area it probably will and it sucks :(
pokersnek 3 points 4y ago
Driving is not the essential function of the job, the geology part it. According to the ADA, hiring a driver for you is a reasonable accommodation.
Amonwilde 5 points 4y ago
That's nice, but in practice I've never heard of this happening.
pokersnek 1 points 4y ago
I have a colleague who is an itinerant teacher. The district hired a driver to take them between schools for their job.
Sight404 3 points 4y ago
I would not approach a potential employer with demands, even if you are legally entitled. Remind them of innovations like Uber, Lyft, public transit and other ride sharing options.
pokersnek 1 points 4y ago
I would not call it a demand. I would call it an accommodation.
Sight404 2 points 4y ago
Why? Transportation has a cost for everyone else.
PractisingPoetry 1 points 4y ago
But it's an accommodation that makes you a significantly less appealing job candidate. They can make up any reason for not hiring you. It would be incredibly hard to prove.
pokersnek 1 points 4y ago
Ok. So never ask for an accommodation like a screen reader or a CCTV. See how far it gets you when you get fired for not being able to do your job.
These are your fears talking. Most employers know nothing of visual impairments. You have to educate them and show them that with this kind of accommodation, you can do the job just as well as any other candidate. If you never ask, you’ve already given up.
These are your fears talking. Most employers know nothing of visual impairments. You have to educate them and show them that with this kind of accommodation, you can do the job just as well as any other candidate. If you never ask, you’ve already given up.
penguin_rider222 2 points 4y ago
It will be hard in Texas or California for sure. I suggest looking in large cities like NYC or San Francisco. No reason for a license to be required there
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