When an employer considers hiring a visually impaired person, there are always questions. A supervisor often is influenced by widely held misconceptions about what kinds of jobs a blind person can do. Today, thousands of blind or visually impaired adults are working successfully at interesting, meaningful jobs. Legally blind employees are successful in many types of employment. With the technology available today, or with minor and inexpensive accommodations, people who are visually impaired can function well in a wide variety of occupations.
People are people.
Many blind employees are more ambitious and efficient than some of their sighted peers. A nurse who retooled her skills to become a health educator A customer service representative at a bank who was recruited by a competitor at a time when most in the industry were downsizing. People who are blind or visually impaired learn to move about independently and safely by relying on other sensory cues in their environment. Some use white canes, and about 2 percent depend on guide dogs. After an initial orientation to the environment, a new employee who is blind will not require special assistance in the workplace.