29 November 2024
The number of potential jobs for blind people keeps rising, a trend that will likely continue. That's because new technologies and changing attitudes are opening more and more doors for visually impaired people in the workforce.
The variety of careers for people with visual disabilities is just as amazing as their quantity. For instance, you've probably heard of famous blind people who are performers, such as Andrea Bocelli and Stevie Wonder. And you may know that legally blind chef Christine Ha won the third season of television's Master Chef. But did you know that some people who are visually impaired also succeed as photographers, architects, ballet dancers, lawyers, physicians, nurses, and much more?
Now that you know that jobs for the blind exist, you can take a proactive approach by thinking about which jobs you want to do. Then, research any accommodations or assistive technologies to help you achieve that goal.
This article lists several examples of jobs that allow people with visual impairments to use their special strengths. You'll learn about some barriers blind people can face when entering the workforce. You'll also discover how to overcome those challenges. Plus, you'll learn about the laws that protect people with visual impairments and the assistive technologies that help when you're on the job.
What Jobs Can Blind People Do?
Elderly woman in wheelchair smiling at young nurse outdoors, with hands clasped in a caring gesture.Don't limit your career options based on your visual impairment. Instead, think about—and value—your unique interests, skills, experiences, and ambitions. Remember that workers with visual disabilities are found across all industries.
It's true that some jobs require more accommodations than others, but your career possibilities are probably more varied than you realize. And you can create your own path. Let the following careers inspire you. They all stand out as being good opportunities for blind workers.
1. Applications software developer
Screen-reading software and other adaptive technologies allow visually impaired professionals to code and perform the other work in developing apps and computer programs. A 2022 survey found that almost two percent of computer programmers are blind.
2. Network engineer
Network engineers (also called computer network architects) must be adept at imagining complex networks and routers often set up in other locations. Many people with visual impairments have learned to excel at this type of internal visualization. A bachelor's degree in computer science or networking can help you get started.
3. Occupational therapist
Have you ever been helped by occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants as part of your journey toward becoming self-sufficient? Would you like to help other people with disabilities or chronic illnesses acquire more independence so that they can live full lives too? Your own experiences with obstacles that get in the way of independent living can provide excellent insights into your clients' challenges.
You'll need to earn a master's degree, and all states require certification.
4. Speech-language pathologist
Communication is complex. And you've probably experienced some of the nuanced challenges of communicating with a disability in your own life. So why not use some of the skills you've acquired in dealing with those challenges to treat others' speech difficulties?
5. Web developer
Want to help organizations make their websites accessible to everyone? You could specialize in areas like accessibility auditing, user-interface design, or backend development.
6. Marketing specialist
Would you like to advise companies on the best ways to sell their products and services? By conducting research, interviewing potential customers, and gathering and analyzing data, you could help shape sales strategies and promotional campaigns.
People with visual disabilities also form a largely untapped but potentially huge market.
7. Teacher
Visually impaired teachers can thrive at every education level. In fact, blind teachers have their own association that provides resources, support, and job postings.
8. Social worker
Has your disability taught you how to navigate the world of social services? Do you want to use your experiences to help others overcome their own challenges? You can specialize in many different areas of social work, including medical social work.
9. Massage therapist
Your ability to pay close attention to tactile sensations could help you deliver effective massage treatments. (Although it's considered a myth that the other senses become more enhanced with vision loss, people with visual impairments often learn to pay more attention to sensations like touch.)
10. Counselor
Well-developed empathy and the ability to learn from life experiences are two qualities that help counselors relate to their clients and provide effective emotional support. That's why many people with visual impairments thrive in this kind of role. (They have learned to be careful listeners, which is a valuable skill for counselors.)
11. Customer service representative
Customer service reps often work over the phone or via live online chat to answer customers' questions and solve problems. If you're friendly and tech-savvy, this could be a great job option that also offers flexibility. (Some people in this career get to work at home.)
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https://www.trade-schools.net/articles/jobs-for-blind-people