For many people who are blind, finding supportive and accessible workplaces can be a challenge. It may feel like jobs for the totally blind are hard to come by as many employers have not considered accessibility for people who are blind.
At APM we believe everyone has the right to a safe and accessible workplace. In the right role and with the right support, people who are blind can perform many of the same duties as people who can see.
People who are blind excel in a diverse range of job roles and industries.
Below we look at 6 great job ideas for people who are totally blind. You may also find it helpful to talk with an APM Employment Consultant who can help you brainstorm job types that might be a good fit for you.
6 job ideas for the totally blind
1. Copywriter
If you enjoy writing and have good language skills, there are many flexible writing jobs. A copywriter is someone who writes for the purposes of marketing. For example, they might write advertisements, blog posts, articles or website content. Copywriters can work for a marketing agency or in a freelance capacity, often from home.
A similar type of role is editing. Editors read texts to spot any mistakes and make improvements. There are many accessible technologies such as screen readers and braille displays that can be used for writing, editing and research purposes.
2. Counsellor
If you have an interest in helping others, there are many roles in the healthcare and mental health industries, including counselling. Counsellors help people work through personal and emotional problems. This might involve listening to a person and helping them form strategies to cope with or overcome their situation.
As a person who is blind, you may be able to create a safe, non judgemental and accessible space for others to share their thoughts and feelings. Counselling sessions can be done face to face, online or over the phone.
3. Teacher
People who are legally blind can qualify and work as teachers in primary, secondary and tertiary education. In-person and online tutoring jobs are also a possibility.
There are many ways to make teaching more accessible for a blind person. For example, a blind teacher may take the roll from braille cards and use braille flash cards or posters to present visual information to the class. They may ask students to speak their name when raising their hand and get students to correct each other’s homework. A blind teacher may have an assistant or reader to help with tasks such as marking, report writing and supervising tests.
4. Telemarketer or customer support
Many people who are blind work in phone based jobs such as telemarketing, customer support and market research. These types of jobs can often be done from home or in a call centre. There are many assistive technologies that can help make these jobs more accessible such as braille displays, text to speech software and adapted phones which allow you to call with shortcuts.
5. Kitchen hand
If you have a passion for food, you might enjoy working in hospitality as a kitchen hand or undergo training to become a chef. Kitchen hands complete tasks such as running an industrial dishwasher, putting dishes away, preparing food and cleaning work areas. In the right environment, many of these routine tasks can be performed using the senses of touch and hearing.
In Australia, there are also a number of chefs who are blind. They rely on memory and non-visual sensory information to prepare dishes. They may also have an assistant who helps them in the kitchen with locating items or operating equipment.
6. Factory worker
Factory work tends to involve repetitive and routine tasks which may be suitable for people who are blind or visually impaired. For example, attaching labels, sorting and packaging products. Naturally, some factory work involving machines or power tools may be dangerous without vision. Some workplaces may be able to modify their machines to be safe for use by people who are blind.
Looking for a job? APM can help.
If you’re having trouble finding a job, support is available. You could be eligible for Disability Employment Services, a government funded program to help people living with injury, illness or disability find work and feel confident in the workplace.
When you register for Disability Employment Services with APM, a dedicated Employment Consultant will work closely with you to find job opportunities that line up with your interests, skills and experience.
We can also help you with writing resumes, preparing for job interviews and accessing any extra support you might need. When you get a job, we’ll celebrate with you and make sure you have the support you need to succeed in the workplace long term.
Get in touch today and let’s get to work.