Career Resources for Blind Veterans, Visually Impaired Veterans
Navigating the job market as a blind or visually impaired job seeker, especially a veteran, presents unique challenges. Many organizations and programs are dedicated to providing resources and opportunities to empower blind and visually impaired veterans in their career pursuits.
These agencies work to close the gap between employers and job seekers, to provide equal access to job opportunities and career development. This is not a comprehensive list, and should be considered a work-in-progress as we add more resources to this space.
Read next: Disabled Veteran Guide
Career Resources for Blind Veterans and Visually Impaired Veterans
Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
The VA offers counseling, training, education, and job placement services. These can be customized for visually impaired and blind veterans to help them get job training, reasonable workplace accommodations, resume development, and resume coaching.
Blinded Veterans Association (BVA)
Offers resources, support, and advocacy for blind veterans, including assistance with job placement and workplace accommodations.
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) CareerConnect
Offers career exploration tools, job search resources, and mentorship opportunities for blind individuals, including blind veterans seeking employment.
National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled
This organization provides resources, training, and support for blind individuals, including blind veterans, to access employment-related materials and information. It also operates a free national library program that supplies braille and recorded materials for the visually impaired. This agency includes services for blind Americans overseas.
Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)
Matches employers with college students and recent graduates with disabilities, providing job search resources and internship opportunities for blind individuals, including blind veterans.
Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults
Offers vocational rehabilitation services, job training, and career development support for deaf-blind individuals, including deaf-blind veterans. Help is available for new workers, those returning to the workforce after an absence, and those who need education resources to begin or further a career.
National Federation of the Blind Career Center
Offers job search tools, career development resources, and employment support for blind individuals, including blind veterans seeking meaningful employment opportunities.
According to the National Federation of the Blind, “blind people can achieve careers based on their dreams, talents, and abilities.” The National Federation of the Blind provides blind working-age employees “with an opportunity to compete in the workplace on terms of equality.” The agency helps job seekers build the skills and confidence needed to successfully apply for and interview for a new job. This agency also helps employers “recruit, hire, train, and promote competent blind employees.”
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
Provides guidance and information on workplace accommodations, including resources for employers and employees to support successful employment experiences for blind and visually impaired employees. JAN offers support for employers who want to make their workplaces more accessible.
American Council of the Blind (ACB)
Provides resources, advocacy, and support for blind and visually impaired job seekers, including blind veterans. ACB is an advocate organization “for equality of people who are blind and visually impaired, inspires community, and connects you with education, resources, and each other to support your independence.”
American Printing House for the Blind CareerConnect
Offers career exploration resources, job search tools, and mentorship opportunities for blind individuals, including blind veterans, pursuing employment opportunities.
The official site says, “Career Connect features information on self-awareness, career exploration, finding employment, interviewing, and maintaining employment” for blind and low-vision students and adults.
A network of organizations serving the blind and visually impaired, offering resources, support, and employment assistance for blind individuals, including blind veterans. From the official site, this agency is described as a “consortium of US and Canadian organizations and their leaders working collectively to advance the field dedicated to serving people of all ages with blindness and low vision.”
Read next: Disabled Veteran Guide
About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
