Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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As visually impaired, how you got the job? (self.Blind)
submitted by ScarReincarnated
I’ve been looking for a job for a while now and had no luck. Were you helped by blind services or any other services? Or did you find one your own way?
Any tips appreciated.
Any tips appreciated.
SightlessSenshi 8 points 4y ago
Purely on my own. When I got my job, I had no help from blind services. What you have to do is know your field inside and out, and show your would-be employers that you can hit the ground running, that hiring a disabled person will not slow them down at all. You have to be twice as competent and twice as sociable as any sighted applicant so that the interviewers focus on you and not your disability.
Amonwilde 6 points 4y ago
This. It also helps if you're looking for better jobs, unfortunately. Blue collar, entry level, etc. is much harder for the blind to get and to do well in for a number of reasons.
tattooedducky 4 points 4y ago
So there is not a lot of hope for me? I've been a stay at home mom for the last 8.5 years. No college degree, but almost 100 hours of college credit. Recently v.i., going through occupational and mobility training. My child is graduating this spring and it's time for me to go back to work. Any advice??
Amonwilde 3 points 4y ago
There is always hope! I would double down on your technology skills and your social skills. They're what make it possible to do well at a modern workplace while VI. If you're low vision, there may be a wider variety of low-level jobs available to you. You may also need to do a vocational program for something like massage that you know you'll be able to do. Basicaly, I would go in this order:
1. Office, clerical, white-collar, or professional work, if you have these skills.
2. Something entrepreneurial and flexible, like an online store or a consultancy.
3. Pick a specific profession that suits your background, then retrain for that role. Get in touch with your state's agency for the blind who may be able to offer assistance.
4. Finally, look for programs for lower-level jobs or talk to employers that don't need skills training. This is not ideal for us, though, as low-level jobs tend to have more inflexible requirements and you have lower leverage to ask for accomodations.
That's my take.
1. Office, clerical, white-collar, or professional work, if you have these skills.
2. Something entrepreneurial and flexible, like an online store or a consultancy.
3. Pick a specific profession that suits your background, then retrain for that role. Get in touch with your state's agency for the blind who may be able to offer assistance.
4. Finally, look for programs for lower-level jobs or talk to employers that don't need skills training. This is not ideal for us, though, as low-level jobs tend to have more inflexible requirements and you have lower leverage to ask for accomodations.
That's my take.
ScarReincarnated [OP] 2 points 4y ago
I like this.
fastfinge 4 points 4y ago
Getting referred by friends is what seems to work best, in my experience. Especially in the case of small businesses. If you have friends who own a small business and are looking for employees, or who know people who are, get them to introduce you. Your friends can be your best advocate; they know you're capable, and an employer may ask his/her friend questions about your abilities that he/she would be uncomfortable asking you directly during the interview process.
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