My Seeing Eye classmates Denise, Marcus, Carlos--and me--and Steve, our trainer.
Jessica and Julia, two grad students from IIT’s Institute of Design, are working on a class project to come up with a product that will help people who are blind. They contacted me as part of their research, and one of the many, many, many questions they asked during an interview was whether there is one career that is common for people who are blind. Truth is, very few people who are blind have jobs at all. From a story in Forbes:
Despite the technical advances made to help blind employees, there is still a staggering unemployment rate among that population. Several organizations, including the American Foundation for the Blind, put it at 70% among people of employment age, a number that has stayed constant for many years.
I know firsthand how difficult it can be to find work if you are blind. That’s one (of many reasons) I’ve been so impressed when I’ve gone to the Seeing Eye to train with a new dog. All three times – first with Pandora, then Hanni, and now Harper — most of my fellow students there were employed. An article in Make It Better magazine puts it this way:
In fact, while 7 of 10 blind individuals are unemployed, 7 of 10 Seeing Eye graduates are working—a huge difference.
Which comes first? Do people who are blind get Seeing Eye dogs, then find work? Or do they find work, then realize they’d benefit from having a Seeing Eye dog? I don’t know the answer to that one, but I thought I might be able to answer Jessica and Julia’s question by telling them about the students I met when I was training with Harper.
Sixteen of us graduated with Seeing Eye dogs last December. The youngest of us was 24 years old, the oldest was 81. One woman had just graduated from massage therapy school, another was a computer programmer for the city of Madison, Wis. One had retired from teaching at a school for the blind, another was teaching blind students in the public schools. A musician had founded an arts school for urban kids. One man worked for the IRS, one woman was a social media consultant. A number of students were social workers. One woman counseled inmates at a prison, and another social worker worked with Vietnam vets at a VA hospital. “My last dog was a shepherd named ‘Nixon’” he laughed. “No way could I show up at work with a dog with that name!” When he got home, he introduced his dog to others as “Dixon.”
The Seeing Eye divided us into four groups with four different trainers, and I got to know the three others in my group especially well. In our class photo Steve, our trainer, is way over there on the right. He’s the one without a dog – he’s not blind! And then, from left to right are
- Denise and Wonder. Denise was born blind, received her doctorate from University of Wisconsin and speaks fluent French and Spanish. She is a Federal employee and works in Washington, D.C. for the Department of Agriculture.
- Marcus and Garrett. Marcus is a motivational speaker. He had just started college in Missouri and was out with friends, sitting in the passenger seat, when a drunk driver slammed broadside into their car. The accident left Marcus blind. He speaks about alcohol awareness at college campuses all over the country and hopes to attend grad school at Columbia in New York this Fall.
- Carlos and Exon. Carlos is the Technological Services Specialist at the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and moonlights as the overnight switchboard operator at his local VA hospital. He grew up with low vision from retinal problems but attended regular school. “Doctors told me not to play sports or get into fights or I might go blind completely,” he said with a laugh. “You show me a kid growing up in East Orange who doesn’t get into fights!” He went totally blind when he was 17 and told me going to college with a Seeing Eye dog made him a chick magnet. (Marcus concurred.)
- Me and Harper. You know about us.
Blindness affects people from all walks of life, and, when allowed, we do all sorts of work. Last Friday Harper and I took a train to speak at the Wisconsin Vision/O&M Teachers Annual Conference. Their focus this year was on technology, and they asked me to talk about my career in writing and radio. Before my speech I had the privilege of meeting one-on-one with a junior in high school who is blind and can’t decide whether she wants to be a writer or a lawyer. We were just about done with our meeting when an elementary school kid who is blind burst into the room. He’d already written four books, he told us. “I’m going to charge a dollar a page and get rich!” His vision teacher at school taught him to use an accessible personal digital assistant (PDA) with a Braille input keyboard to help him write his books. A quote in that Forbes article from Barry Honig, who is blind and president of Honig International, a Manhattan-based executive search and management consulting firm, says it all.
Honig, the executive recruiter, says the current knowledge-based economy produces exactly the type of jobs blind people are easily able to do. In many cases, it’s a matter of getting the software that enables the computer to “speak” to the user. “With technology today, there is no excuse to not be able to get a job,” he says. “We’re in a unique time for blind people because employees aren’t only laboring with things requiring vision like working with a saw or drill. Most people sit in front of a desk with a computer and a phone.”
Amen.
Very interesting post Beth, and very unusual that so many of the people you trained with have jobs.
That statistic is similar here in Ireland. I think its quite sad that some people think there’s no chance of them getting a job because they can’t see, so they give up looking or even trying. I believe the majority of the time, we have to work harder than fully sighted people to prove we can do things just as well. That makes me more determined to do things, but I know it puts other people off.
Thankfully people have moved away from the idea that you have to work as a massage therapist or answer phones. Not saying there’s anything wrong with those jobs at all, but you know what I mean? People will try and achieve their ideal career now, rather than the one they think their disability should dictate.
I’ve been really lucky, because I’ve had work for the last 4 years since I finished college. A lot of that was due to meeting the right people at the right time, as my degree didn’t help my career choice, and there aren’t many job opportunities near where I live. People were always willing to let me try things and do what I needed to make my job accessible.
I found it hard during school because friends had part-time jobs during the summer or at weekends. I didn’t know what I wanted to do and couldn’t get work experience, so although it took me longer than most to get my first job, I appreciated it when I got it.
Waw, what a long comment! Sorry!
No need to apologize, I like long comments, especially when they are as thoughtful as yours is here. So interesting to hear experiences of people who are blind and live in other countries, thanks for keeping up with my blog, Jenny.
nice post. very inspirational!
The statistics are baffling as like you listed I know so many who are blind and in various professions. They have been my mentors of which I am very grateful for. Very insightful post. Thank you.
Great post, Beth!
I started out with a BSW in Social Work, but never got a job in the field. I was a Switchboard Operater at a Savings and Loan for four years post graduation, and then went back to school and got a second major in radio and TV production. I never worked in that field either, but in the middle of that school experience, I went to The Seeing Eye for my first Seeing Eye Dog. There I met two women who were working as Social Workers, and together we founded a non-profit that provides personal growth and blind cultural programming for blind men and women, Candle In The Window.
Though I never got a job in the fields I majored in, (sending resumes isn’t the way I found works for me to get jobs) I used the skills I acquired from those areas of study in everything I did moving forward. My Social Work and media knowledge helped me as the President of our organization.
I would say that two big things have been important in my employment history, the confidence my dogs have given me to try new things, and the abilities I have to use my social network (long before it was popular) to make contacts in the areas of work I had interest. I also believe in creating work that I love to do, just like you.
I think many blind people could benefit from non-traditional ways of finding employment, but their VR counselors are not trained to help them in these ways.
Interesting to read that you, like Jenny above, didn’t find work using the degree you studied for in college. I wonder if that is common among people who are blind, or hey, maybe that’s just common among average college graduates!
Great post, and thanks for publishing that photo. Those are four good looking dogs.
Did Julia and Jessica come up with a product for the blind? What was it?
I think they’re still working on coming up with the idea. As a sidenote, they also interviewed Sandra Murillo, who has written guest blog posts here. They even drove down to Champaign-Urbana to interview her in her dorm room. I’m impressed with the diligence they are putting into the research.
Beth! Thanks for the shout out. Julia and I ar making some progress. We’ve narrowed our focus down and will be building and testing soon. We will definitely keep you posted, and hopefully you can feature our handiwork on your blog when we are finished 🙂
Jessica and Julia
Okay, here’s my two cents. My pal Dawn has a non-traditional job—she is an investigator for the NY State Office of Crime Victim Services. I read to her at work, where she is among 10 others who have the same job title. From what I know and can observe, she is way under-employed. She has a Masters in Public Administration from NYU. No one else at her pay level has a Masters. But she’s great at the job and her facility at it frees her to take care of family business. She has three young children. Her husband Fred has (what he calls) a “blind job.” He has a newsstand in a Federal Building. The other blind person I know (knew) up close and personal was my piano tuner, Gene. He considered that a “blind job” too. But he was so skilled that he was the house tuner at Carnegie Hall.
Of my three blind friends, only Gene had a dog, two, in fact, that I knew: Lindy and Fanny.
I look forward to learning anything you can tell us about new technology for blind psople. Thanks, Beth.
After one of my previous blog posts someone left a comment suggesting I write a book about technology and how/how much it helps people like me who are blind. Only trouble is, the technology changes so quickly the book would be out of date by the time it was published!
What a handsome trainer. Haper is quite handsome as well. Smile. Hope you’re doing AWESOME with the boy.
Yes, I was going to mention after Bob’s comment above that not only are the dogs in that photo good looking, but the people are, too.
I recognize Exon as one of the golden retriever models who’s photo the Seeing Eye sent me to use to create designs for their greeting cards (now on sale in their on-line gift shop). Very handsome dog!
Hava’s name was so unusual I was afraid her comment might be spam. But you know what? I seem to recall that while we were training at the Seeing Eye someone there mentioned Exon was featured on one of the greeting cards. I bet it’s true. Everyone tells me how handsome that Golden looks in this photo!
Me spam? Never touch the stuff! Not kosher you know!
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Beth Finke, Fred's Head Feeds. Fred's Head Feeds said: Google: What kind of work do blind people do? « Safe & Sound blog: He grew up with low vision from retinal probl… http://bit.ly/gqDPyx […]
Beth, I am so glad that you wrote about how few blind individuals are employed in this country. I have been working at the jail for ten years this moth. My advice to anyone is be persistant and offer to volunteer if all else fails. That is how I was able to convince the warden at the time to give me a chance. My parents were right when they said that I could do anything if I set my mind to it.
Three cheers for cool parents! Michelle, I am so intrigued by the work you do — and you’ve been at it for a decade, you must have some stories to tell.
And here a note for Jessica and Julia –Of *course* I will publish a blog post when you finish your “handiwork.” Can’t wait!
Hey, all!
I came across this article and I just wanted to say that I know blind people can do most jobs anybody can do despite not having vision.
I’m a driver at the local auto parts store. I deliver parts to various mechanics around the area. When I first started, I was amazed to meet one of the mechanics that I deliver parts to.
He’s completely blind and yet he’s one of the best mechanics I’ve ever met! I’ve watched him pull apart a car and put it back togehter perfectly. He’s been able to diagnose and fix problems that had other sighted mechanics scratching their heads!
I never thought that was something somebody could do without vision and yet, here’s a great example of someone who’s blind but is still doing what he loves to do, and he’s damn good at it!
I want to encourage anybody who’s blind and thinks because of that fact they can’t work to reconsider — sure there are some things that are simply impossible without sight but if you love something and want to do it, blindness shouldn’t be the deciding factor!
Very uip lifting words and advice,as I am blind from PPMS
Forced to leave marine officers career and constantly seeking work
From your email address, it looks as though you are from Britain? I wonder, what are unemployment rates there amonst people who are blind, do you know? Good luck with the job search, it’s not easy, as you arew sadly well aware…
I always emailed this web site post page to all my friends, since if
like to read it then my friends will too.
Hence you should create the social networking software on your own only if
you are sure that you will be able to fix any errors
that may occur. You will not have a successful social media campaign if you do
not have a good understanding of your target audience.
, and the social bookmarking sites like Digg, reddit,
Stumble – Upon, del. She is now considered one of the
leading authorities on how to use this service to promote your services
and affiliate products. Business companies, who want to promote their businesses online,
especially through internet marketing, want to hire SEO services including Social networking from a reputable SEO company.
Also, make sure those pages are frequently maintained with
current articles, products and offers.
First off I would like to say excellent blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you do not mind. I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your head before writing. I have had a tough time clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out there. I do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are generally wasted just trying to figure out how to begin. Any recommendations or tips? Thank you!
Have you ever considered writing an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs?
I have a blog centered on the same ideas you discuss and would
really like to have you share some stories/information.
I know my visitors would appreciate your work. If you’re even remotely interested,
feel free to send me an e mail.
There’s certainly a lot to know about this topic.
I love all the points you have made.
Towards this approach the company can offer its clients a wide range of services that are available to meet the specific nutrition
communications needs a client’s project may
require. Gain Fast 3100 comes featured with muscle boosters, digestive enzymes,
muscle optimizers, natural plant sterols, EFAs and performance
factors. Some parrots will acquire to one kind and not
one more.
If you’ve had a job for a long time, than you meet the minimum criteria that will get
you the money that you need fast. With up to $1,000 a month left over, you should easily be able to pay off your student loans and save money for when you return home.
The issuer of the property bad credit personal loans provider, but with the backing of a government organization, the danger is removed – thus ensuring cost-effective loans are on hand.
school social work jobs
What kind of work do blind people do? | Safe & Sound blog
Do you have a spam problem on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have created some nice
methods and we are looking to exchange solutions with other folks, why not shoot me an email if interested.
enterprises doing Website
What kind of work do blind people do? | Safe & Sound blog
[…] source: https://bethfinke.wordpress.com/2011/02/21/what-kind-of-work-do-blind-people-do/ […]
Leave a Response