Personally, I would like the system to be one based on the fundamentals of living. I am tired of the "employment is everything" mindset. I don't even know how to function within a household setting. I'm almost thirty years old and I have no practical daily living and life skills as a blind person.

How am I supposed to be focused on school or finding a job if I spend my school break wondering what I'm going to eat (because I don't know how to grocery shop, cook, or budget for food), how I'm going to do my laundry (because I just throw all my clothes into one load and I guess you're not supposed to), and how to manage my appearance (because I don't know how to care for hair, keep hygiene products, or tend to skin care, etc).

I feel like a number. Rehabilitation Services for the Blind has actually let slip, to me, that they are trying to get me employed so they can close my case. Nice!

I am not involved with any groups like NFB, AFB, ACB, etc because I can't pay dues. I don't have a job, so no money. Hahaha.

It's not just the systems, but it seems it's society as a whole. The previous comment about being patronizing applies to pretty much any blind adult not employed, along with the stuff that was said about the jobs being offered wouldn't be enough to pay for anything at all. I'm in an odd situation myself, and I keep running into this line of thinking, that employment is all there is. but then they will give a list of jobs that I could do that won't really pay much, or worse, offer no solution at all, but just continue to bitch at me for not being productive. I could comment more, but I'll leave the rest of the rant for a private conversation, or possibly another thread. Just know you're not the only person dealing with this.

I’m not blind, but I am a social worker with the visually impaired population. I can tell you that I am just as frustrated with the system as you are. It all comes down to funding. The government pushes federal money on vocational rehab, employment, case closures, etc and it’s really ineffective. I can’t identify who I work for, but I can say that it’s an issue we’ve brought to the funding sources several times and keep getting shot down. I am sorry that you haven’t worked with anybody whose gone the extra mile with you instead of just pushing a case closure. The best thing I can recommend you do is call the office on disability and/or blindness in your state (if you’re in the US) and ask to file a formal complaint on their services. I’m sorry that we’ve failed you and countless others as well. This is what happens when we try to put price tags on people.

I was a stay at home, homeschooling mom as well. People seemed to think I had it easy and didn’t know what hard work was. Working a 9-5 job is much easier!

It is a complicated matter but a lot of it is an issue of prioritizing funding on a very limited budget. A lot of disabled folks don’t have sufficient supports and the active school of thought is employment is the best option for independent and success. It would be great if there were other endeavors to support those under age 55beyond employment, but the current political climate of resource allocation does not enabled this

I find myself in a similar position as you. I became legally blind at age 38. I am married with two children, have a graduate degree (in a field that I can no longer work in due to my visual impairment), and left my last job right about mid-career. I own a home in an extremely area with no public transit, so going back to work before we are able to move closer to a town would be a hassle because my wife would have to take me back and forth. I guess I’m lucky that I’ve worked my entire adult life and had a decent job before I got sick, so I receive a little more than the average SSDI amount and disability retirement benefits from my pension (even though it is nothing to write home about). I plan on returning to work once my circumstance change, but it’ll likely be a low level part-time position.

Are you involved with any organizations of blind people, such as the NFB? I know they have a "blind parents of sighted children division" that may offer some useful suggestions.