Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Visually Impaired soon to be Graduated College Student Seeking Assistance for Job Search (self.Blind)
submitted by Mister-c2020
Hello, I hope everyone’s well in this group. I am a blind individual who is soon to be graduated from my undergrad. I’m searching for some advice. I’m trying to search for a job for after completing my undergraduate degree, the possibility of me receiving a job directly from the commission for the blind as an assistive technology specialist are low. not because of me, the market for them is pretty small over here. As an alternative, I have searched for help through a local blind organization, my commission counselor and career services. None of which, have provided me with The best advice. They all seem to send me in a direction that I don’t really feel like I wanted to go. And, I really feel like I can’t do this on my own. It’s very overwhelming and I don’t know where to start.
I would really appreciate the help from someone who understands the post graduate worklife and me with my blindness. I would also really appreciate if someone could send any recommendations or attempt to properly assist me with looking in the right direction for job offers and career pathways.
For reference, I am graduating with a degree called interdisciplinary studies at my college. You sub major in three topics, for me, its communication arts, computer science and behavioral science. As you could probably tell from my interest, I really like people. But I also love tech! However, when I was referring to people not pointing me to the right direction. I was referencing that I don’t like 9 to 5 coding jobs. However, I love accessibility work because I genuinely feel like I’m making an impact. However, as I’ve learned I’m not really a big fan of web accessibility because I find it limits me a lot! I love working in operating systems because I feel like it impacts how you use a device more! I also wanted to add, I’m seriously into game accessibility. I love playing video games that are accessible and wouldn’t mind testing them to see if they’re of quality.
The organizations that I’ve asked for assistance have only pointed me to 9 to 5 back end jobs, accessibility office jobs at colleges which I don’t qualify for and not much else. I just hope my feelings are valid and that someone could hopefully help me somewhere!
Thank you so much in advance!
Tldr- visually impaired individual who is soon to be graduating from college needs helpful career advice on looking for jobs.
I would really appreciate the help from someone who understands the post graduate worklife and me with my blindness. I would also really appreciate if someone could send any recommendations or attempt to properly assist me with looking in the right direction for job offers and career pathways.
For reference, I am graduating with a degree called interdisciplinary studies at my college. You sub major in three topics, for me, its communication arts, computer science and behavioral science. As you could probably tell from my interest, I really like people. But I also love tech! However, when I was referring to people not pointing me to the right direction. I was referencing that I don’t like 9 to 5 coding jobs. However, I love accessibility work because I genuinely feel like I’m making an impact. However, as I’ve learned I’m not really a big fan of web accessibility because I find it limits me a lot! I love working in operating systems because I feel like it impacts how you use a device more! I also wanted to add, I’m seriously into game accessibility. I love playing video games that are accessible and wouldn’t mind testing them to see if they’re of quality.
The organizations that I’ve asked for assistance have only pointed me to 9 to 5 back end jobs, accessibility office jobs at colleges which I don’t qualify for and not much else. I just hope my feelings are valid and that someone could hopefully help me somewhere!
Thank you so much in advance!
Tldr- visually impaired individual who is soon to be graduating from college needs helpful career advice on looking for jobs.
quanin 11 points 1y ago
The kind of job you're looking for doesn't exist. Or rather, it exists, but it's basically a 9-5 coding job. Accessibility testers are people with the coding skills to not only test the software, but point out which part of the thing they're testing is actually causing the problem. It's one thing to say "this widget isn't accessible in its current form", but now you need to be able to describe what its current form is, and what new form would make it accessible.
Source: When I'm not doing my full-time job I'm an accessibility tester for the people what pay me.
Source: When I'm not doing my full-time job I'm an accessibility tester for the people what pay me.
Mister-c2020 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Thanks for the info! I was considering looking into applying for a job with a bigger company like Apple, Microsoft or Google. Since from what I hear, they have plenty of jobs, they hire many people with disabilities and they all have good quality of life for their employees. I was considering asking for help from someone in human resources in these companies mentioned and beyond. Since the database of all the jobs they offer are pretty lengthy. Hopefully, I could find something that has someone mentor me at first then I could familiarize myself with the job more.
quanin 7 points 1y ago
Those companies do have accessibility people, but again, they're 9-5 coding positions. And they're super small teams. Plus, and I mean correct me if I'm wrong, Apple at least seems to be somewhat moving away from accessibility these days. Just ask anyone who uses MacOS. LOL
Mister-c2020 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Yeah, I have a Mac! It’s rough. Oh well, at least they have not broken the iPhone yet! Let me not jinx anything!
quanin 3 points 1y ago
Just a matter of time, my friend. Old Steve must be spinning in his goddamn grave.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
It exist but it is still coding work. And it’s at companies.
quanin 1 points 1y ago
That's... basically what I said, but with fewer words.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
Wondering if they were looking for more specific at companies though is my point.
quanin 1 points 1y ago
I think they were looking for an accessibility position with a mainstream company. AT companies work on their own stuff, but the only company actively making their own gear accessible (ish, with varying degrees of success or consistency) is Apple. To a lesser extent Google, but I mean Apple's accessibility people will at least talk to you.
paneulo 6 points 1y ago
Two pieces of advice: Work the jobs you don't like, to help you gain experience to be ready for the jobs you do, and http://a11yjobs.com
Mister-c2020 [OP] 4 points 1y ago
Anyone seeing this post have experience working for any of the blind specific assistive tech companies? Perhaps Humanware, Freedom Scientific and Perkins? I was told by a former TVI of mine that these places might have nice jobs for people who share interests like mine.
TechnicalPragmatist 2 points 1y ago
I will be working for a small or at least pretty small telecommunications and assistive tech company in the summer, and beginning to learn code and work on a project. Maybe you can find one. This one just fell in my lap basically.
I guess I can say it here. There’s a little advice.
Make friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ll say it again make friends!!!!!!!!!! Connections are really everything and what gets you places, as much as I hate to say it. Merit is nice. Really cool. Book smartch yeah, great. I love knowledge to and studying. But friends are wonderful. Both of my jobs fell in to my lap without looking. I’ve never done formal job searches. Just made friends, a good impression, connect, network and keep going.
Also volunteer your time, or help out in the community. Both jobs had people in them that started out noticing me and my enthusiasm and how good I was at things.
They said to me, I like what you’re doing, I like your enthusiasm for accessibility. Or wow you’re good at this. The second one I was just helping out in the blind community and he noticed who I was and how I helped everyone out of the goodness of my own heart. Started talking to me and within a few days actually it was a great birthday present he offered me an internship later a job but we’ll see. He said well if the internship goes well and you like it I don’t mind hiring you.
Make friends,and get involved in the community, volunteer at places you like. Make some friends of assistive tech people if you like to teach you can be an assistive tech trainer be friend them and other assistive tech people. If assistive tech coders make friends and maybe something will come maybe not but at least you have a network.
Sort of how you play the game of life.
I guess I can say it here. There’s a little advice.
Make friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ll say it again make friends!!!!!!!!!! Connections are really everything and what gets you places, as much as I hate to say it. Merit is nice. Really cool. Book smartch yeah, great. I love knowledge to and studying. But friends are wonderful. Both of my jobs fell in to my lap without looking. I’ve never done formal job searches. Just made friends, a good impression, connect, network and keep going.
Also volunteer your time, or help out in the community. Both jobs had people in them that started out noticing me and my enthusiasm and how good I was at things.
They said to me, I like what you’re doing, I like your enthusiasm for accessibility. Or wow you’re good at this. The second one I was just helping out in the blind community and he noticed who I was and how I helped everyone out of the goodness of my own heart. Started talking to me and within a few days actually it was a great birthday present he offered me an internship later a job but we’ll see. He said well if the internship goes well and you like it I don’t mind hiring you.
Make friends,and get involved in the community, volunteer at places you like. Make some friends of assistive tech people if you like to teach you can be an assistive tech trainer be friend them and other assistive tech people. If assistive tech coders make friends and maybe something will come maybe not but at least you have a network.
Sort of how you play the game of life.
shesonfleek 3 points 1y ago
Not sure where you are located, but maybe you would be interested in going a little different route? I work in accessibility in higher education and there is a really huge push for accessible education. I get to work with students teaching them how to use adaptive tech so their educational skills get better, we get to do "programming" which means we get to plan campus wide events for students like films, games, etc, and my dept always has an accessibility spin on it, I get to work with faculty to teach them how to create accessible media and get consulted when it comes to potential software and hardware purchases from IT. In my state we also have a new position required by law at all state schools in Washington State called a "Policy 188 Coordinator" which is like a tech person on campus that makes sure everything on campus is accessible for students, faculty, visitors, staff, etc and if it's not, research alternatives. I know several Blind program specialists in my field as well that love what they do. It's not really exactly what you went to school for, but I think you may have the skills for it if you're interested.
Mister-c2020 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
That sounds extremely interesting, I’m intrigued. I’m a naturally social person so this interest me. I’m located in the north eastern United States. I could probably Google this but, just for the heck of it I might as well ask someone personally. What sort of requirements are required for a job like this after grad school?
shesonfleek 2 points 1y ago
There are accessibility related jobs in higher education all around the country. Pretty much every job in the field is posted on $1.
As for requirements, it really depends on what the specific school needs. The link above has hundreds of listings from accessibility coordinators to disability services directors. I might suggest reading through some of the job descriptions to see what sounds interesting to you and then go off of the requirements from there.
When I first started, I didn't even have my associates degree completed, but I had personal accessibility experience and work and volunteer experience. I've since finished undergrad and gotten a promotion and have about 8 years of experience in the field now. Some schools are more picky about requiring masters degrees, some are more flexible.
Another thought I was thinking if you're in NE area, do you have an Easterseals or AT distribution program near you? If nothing else, maybe you can volunteer or intern for awhile to get that experience on your resume.
As for requirements, it really depends on what the specific school needs. The link above has hundreds of listings from accessibility coordinators to disability services directors. I might suggest reading through some of the job descriptions to see what sounds interesting to you and then go off of the requirements from there.
When I first started, I didn't even have my associates degree completed, but I had personal accessibility experience and work and volunteer experience. I've since finished undergrad and gotten a promotion and have about 8 years of experience in the field now. Some schools are more picky about requiring masters degrees, some are more flexible.
Another thought I was thinking if you're in NE area, do you have an Easterseals or AT distribution program near you? If nothing else, maybe you can volunteer or intern for awhile to get that experience on your resume.
Mister-c2020 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Reading everyone’s replies, I was considering interning for a little bit. Hopefully finding some sort of work before going to grad school for lmsw to work in the office of accessibility at colleges. most colleges require the minimum a graduate degree.
TechnicalPragmatist 2 points 1y ago
Been basically doing this for 10 years and volunteering my time at least some of it haha! I like it and it’s fun. But I may be going more the assistive tech route but happy to keep this at the very back of my mind.
WorldlyLingonberry40 2 points 1y ago
E-mail all of your professors and ask them for job leads that they could refer you too. Also, go ask for a meeting from the career office. And ask for guidance from your vocational rehab counsiler.
asj38 2 points 1y ago
I work at a large tech company, though I am not familiar with positions you are looking for. Could you DM me some examples of jobs you are seeking? I can refer you to a similar position if that exists at the company I work for.
WorldlyLingonberry40 1 points 1y ago
I recently read an article that talked about your career interest. A dude called Rattlehead is a pro gamer, who is blind. He has been doing consultations with vidio game developers, but that profession is still being developped.
ErtaySh 1 points 1y ago
We might be able to find something for you. I would recommend starting the candidate process at https://blindinstituteoftechnology.org/
Mister-c2020 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thanks for the help, it appears the website you sent me does not work. Is it possible the link is broken?
ErtaySh 1 points 1y ago
Oops looks like our redirect is not configured properly try this https://blindinstituteoftechnology.org/
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
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petite4eyes 1 points 1y ago
I would advise you to have an open mind. The job you first get out of undergrad - regardless of whether you have a visual impairment - will often have its drawbacks. I’d focus on finding a job that will start you off with a strong financial base. For example, go for something with a good 401(k) match.
Mister-c2020 [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Good pointers, yeah I’ve been doing some reading on Financial basics. And I really want to find a job with a good 401(k). With hopefully a high match rate!
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