11 Great Jobs for Blind People: How to Succeed With a Visual Impairment
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?
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.
Salary information is based on 2023 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics unless otherwise indicated. All yearly median earnings are rounded to the nearest thousand.*
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.
- Median salary: $132K
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.
- Median salary: $130K
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.
- Median salary: $96K
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?
- Median salary: $89K
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.
- Median salary: $85K
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.
- Median salary: $75K
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.
- Median salary: $60K (for all education, training, and library occupations)
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.
- Median salary: $58K
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.)
- Median salary: $55K
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.)
- Median salary: $54K
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.)
Check out the National Telecommuting Institute (NTI), which offers training and helps connect people with disabilities to work-at-home customer support jobs.
- Median salary: $40K
Facts and Myths About Visual Disabilities
Despite advances in assistive technology opening the doors to more jobs for visually impaired workers, the employment rate for people with limited vision or legal blindness remains relatively low. (In 2022, about 51 percent of people with a visual impairment were employed.)
So, what holds people with low vision back? Misinformation is one significant barrier. For example, some employers have outdated concerns about workplace safety, productivity, and the cost of accommodations. But many disabled workers make valuable contributions, and studies have found that:
- Disabled workers have comparable safety records to workers without disabilities.
- According to the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), about half of the accommodations requested by workers with disabilities cost nothing.
The main barrier for people with visual disabilities is that many hiring managers aren't aware of how much visually impaired people can do. They may not know about the assistive technologies available.
What Rights Do I Have? (Laws and Resources)
All Americans have the right to fair treatment at work. Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to state and local governments and companies with 15 or more employees. It forbids discrimination based on a disability if a person can perform the essential functions of a job. That means a disability doesn't constitute valid grounds for not hiring someone or firing an employee.
Under the ADA, a person with a disability must be treated the same as a person without a disability. Workplaces must also accommodate workers' disabilities by providing the things they need to do their jobs.
How does the ADA apply to people with visual impairments? A visual impairment is considered a disability because it interferes with normal life activities. People who see clearly with glasses or other corrective lenses aren't usually considered to have a disability.
To help understand the ADA, workplace accommodations, and other issues, check out organizations like the American Council of the Blind (ACB) or the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN).
Assistive Technologies and Accommodations
Remember: Under the ADA, an employer with 15 or more employees must provide reasonable accommodations if you have a visual disability. But you play the key role in determining what those accommodations are. However, if you're not sure what you need or just want to try something out before committing to it, you should find an assistance technology center (AT3 Center). This kind of service center offers training on different devices and lets you rent an assistive device before purchasing one.
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) offers free advice on accommodations. Their database of proven tips is searchable by type of limitation, disability, or work-related function.
Some possible accommodations include:
- Adjusting lighting or reducing glare from windows.
- Using file formats that are easy for screen-reading software to interpret, such as accessible PDF files.
- Labeling workplace equipment, tools, or other items with labels in large print, braille, or another format.
- Providing magnifying devices as needed.
In addition, exciting developments in assistive technology continue to help visually impaired workers with all sorts of tasks. Some of these technologies include:
1. Screen-reader software
Screen-reader software reads the information on a device's screen and converts it into synthesized speech. That information can also be rendered to a refreshable braille display on a separate external hardware device. Screen-reader software also provides alternate ways to navigate a screen, often through a keyboard or by speaking into a microphone.
Because different screen-reading programs use different commands, most people find a system they like and stick with it. (Screen-reader software programs are available for all common operating systems.)
2. Screen-magnification systems
Screen-magnification software makes text or graphics appear larger. The process is more complex than changing the settings on a computer monitor. It works like a magnifying glass traveling across the monitor under a user's guidance. This kind of software also often has voice capability.
3. Video magnifiers
You can use screen-magnification software to read documents on a computer. But what about printed materials? Video magnifiers use cameras to put a magnified picture of a printed document or book onto a screen or monitor.
4. Braille devices
Workers who read and write in braille can use a variety of devices on the job:
- Refreshable braille displays connect to a computer and display information in braille.
- Braille notetakers enable workers to take notes during meetings or while performing other tasks.
- Braille printers produce braille documents.
5. Optical character recognition (OCR) systems
These systems scan printed documents and convert the text to speech.
Job-Search Tips for People Who Are Visually Impaired
Visually impaired job seekers are a diverse group of people with a huge range of abilities and work experiences. Some people have been in the workforce for a long time but are now starting to experience vision loss. Others were born blind and are now exploring potential jobs for visually impaired adults for the very first time. But no matter where you are on your own career path, the job-search process is mostly the same for people with disabilities as it is for those without a disability.
Here are five tips to help you shine:
1. Use the resources that are available to you.
Help is out there. In addition to popular online job sites, check out resources that are aimed specifically at workers with disabilities, such as:
- National Industries for the Blind (NIB)
- ABILITY jobs
- The ACB Job Connection
- Our Ability: Skills-Based Job Matching
2. Find a mentor.
When you're breaking into the workforce, nothing beats having guidance from someone who's faced similar situations and thrived. A mentor provides priceless guidance based on real-life experience. To find mentors in your field, check out these tips from the American Printing House for the Blind.
3. Stay positive about your abilities.
It is up to you whether you talk about your disability when you apply for a position. Focus on what you can do and how you could contribute to a successful workplace.
4. Know your rights.
Under the ADA, employers aren't permitted to ask applicants about health issues, including vision problems. But they can ask you whether you would need any accommodations. They can also request a non-medical test of your ability to do a job. That might include a vision test if your ability to see would be relevant to your job duties.
Potential employers are also permitted to request medical exams if they have concerns about workplace safety.
5. Don't just rely on job postings.
Telling other people you're looking for a job is a great way to draw on your network of connections. Volunteering can also be a great way to make connections, gain valuable experience, and help you meet people who might know about open positions.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Some careers listed may be part of a combined occupation profile (visited November 7, 2024).
