Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Job advice (self.Blind)
submitted by wradam
Hello. I have an advanced\\extreme glaucoma and it is not impossible that I will become blind before I die. At the moment I still have good enough vision to do my current work, but I am sure during my next/one of the next medical examinations they can deem me unfit for the job as I know the requirements and have to lie to stay at the job. The job is high pay but I can't say that I like it and I think I don't want to continue.
I have no mortgage, own apartments, my personal needs are quite low, my wife works and our kid is 7 y.o. I am 41 by the way. Financial situation is stable (as it can be in these turbulent times). I don't need a high-pay job anymore. Basically I need something to pay for utility costs, food, clothes and have a lot of time with family. I already have qualifications of psychologist and translator, which are some of the possible opportunities I hear, but I would prefer to get something more or less "hand-on" with as little interpersonal communication as possible. I have burned out from working with hu-mans.
I will appreciate any generic advice as "what blind people do for a living" and a more specific one.
I have no mortgage, own apartments, my personal needs are quite low, my wife works and our kid is 7 y.o. I am 41 by the way. Financial situation is stable (as it can be in these turbulent times). I don't need a high-pay job anymore. Basically I need something to pay for utility costs, food, clothes and have a lot of time with family. I already have qualifications of psychologist and translator, which are some of the possible opportunities I hear, but I would prefer to get something more or less "hand-on" with as little interpersonal communication as possible. I have burned out from working with hu-mans.
I will appreciate any generic advice as "what blind people do for a living" and a more specific one.
redmarus 3 points 1y ago
As another commenter suggested, working with animals is great. I was a dog walker and trainer long before I started having vision problems but it adapts over very naturally as most commands cause certain noticeable pulls on the leash. In addition, Audible has On the Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell which was invaluable for me.
achromatic_03 3 points 1y ago
How about working with animals? Woodworking is a possibility-- there is this workshop I always wanted to do in northern California, where they teach blind woodworking. Could you do translation of written materials like novels? That would involve less talking with ppl. Coding could by another possibility if you're into tech, but that can be an ageist field from what I've heard. If you're open to freelance, you could write articles on Medium about psychology.
wradam [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Sounds good, thanks. I would have liked translations but I don't know what kind of hardware would I need for that. Braile dotted keyboard & screen reader?
achromatic_03 3 points 1y ago
Yeah, I'm not going to be the expert there, but there are a lot of great threads and resources for getting the right tech setup for your specific situation... if you're in the US, you should even get free assistance with that setup from the state and/or organization that serves the blind community. I have done those a few times, myself, and I've found it helpful. I am confident you can make it work!
wradam [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Ok, thanks, you have given me a direction.
TechnicalPragmatist 2 points 1y ago
For translation work depends what you are comfortable with do you need braille or to read it. But first you need to learn braille if so. Can you do the translation just by listening and do it with a screen reader? It could be just a computer and a speech to text or screen reading software. Like jaws or nvda. Or on the mac voice over.
wradam [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Thank you for the advice. That is more options to the pool. I think it will be better to aim for something with more of verbal communication and now considering an option of being a teacher/lecturer.
TechnicalPragmatist 2 points 1y ago
That’s right. Usually blind people do translation that way just listen then translate I don’t know how many people just use braille strictly for this.
That’s an interesting option too.
Like I said elsewhere I wouldn’t throw away your current career if you don’t need to.
That’s an interesting option too.
Like I said elsewhere I wouldn’t throw away your current career if you don’t need to.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
What is it that you do now and why can’t you make acomodations and continue working or doing it even after you lose your vision. Most things you can adapt or modify pretty well.
wradam [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I can adapt of course, but there are certain limitations on certain medical conditions for certain jobs. Like, working in remote locations where qualified medical assistance can not be provided fast enough requires one not to have certain chronic diseases with potential acute conditions. Glaucoma is one of those unfortunately.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
So wait, you’re saying you need someone who can care for you there or address your issues?
What do you mean by what you are saying and how does certain jobs have limitation? I don’t understand. And what does glaucoma and eye pressure have to do with your job?
What do you mean by what you are saying and how does certain jobs have limitation? I don’t understand. And what does glaucoma and eye pressure have to do with your job?
wradam [OP] 1 points 1y ago
No, I am just saying that advanced/late stage glaucoma is a ground for failing annual medical examination at my work which in turn means mandatory dismissal as per labor laws for my own good.
It is not related to occupation but rather to remoteness of work site and rotational work basis.
It is not related to occupation but rather to remoteness of work site and rotational work basis.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
That’s terrible there is a visual eye test? Can I ask what do you do and why is vision so important, can you fight this? You can’t discriminate against me what does this job have to do with vision arguments. Also depends on country. Some countries have better protections and you actually can’t do this and whoever does it need to go out of business. Heck any company like this anywhere in the world should but yeah.
I mean blind people can obviously not do some things it makes sense. But those are limited. Blind people obviously can’t fly planes, drive cars, probably be a firefighter though I would like to see someone blind try there’s a blind police officer before, surgeon perhaps but there is a blind doctor, etc. but you could probably adapt most things. Maybe construction but that’s debatable, probably not most construction sites but I’d like to see a blind person try. That would be cool.
I mean blind people can obviously not do some things it makes sense. But those are limited. Blind people obviously can’t fly planes, drive cars, probably be a firefighter though I would like to see someone blind try there’s a blind police officer before, surgeon perhaps but there is a blind doctor, etc. but you could probably adapt most things. Maybe construction but that’s debatable, probably not most construction sites but I’d like to see a blind person try. That would be cool.
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