Losing Vision Does Not Mean Having to Give Up Working

Many older persons who have experienced vision loss may wish to continue working.

Some reasons you may want to work include:

Additional income
The chance to be around other people
The opportunity to continue to learn new skills
Health insurance and/or other benefits
Feeling part of something again
Wanting to be productive

What Do You Have to Offer an Employer?

A proven work history and a strong work ethic
Life-long work-related skills
Job-related education and training
The capacity to learn
No earnings limitations after age 65
Typically no dependent children at home who require care
Interest and attention to safety issues (less likely to take chances which may result in injuries)

What Can You Do to Find Out About Employment?

Find out about low vision services and devices and vision rehabilitation services which can make it possible for you as the employee to learn adaptive techniques to carry out his/her job functions. By taking advantage of these services, you can avoid premature and unnecessary early retirement, and the employer can avoid losing a skilled, productive and reliable employee.

What Help Is Available to Make Work Possible?

Accommodations such as:

Additional lighting and/or lighting positioned directly on work tasks
Low vision optical devices such as hand-held or stand magnifiers
Devices such as talking clocks and watches, writing guides, large-print rulers (View a list of specialty product sources)
Adaptive equipment such as screen magnification systems which magnify the image for ease of reading, computers and other equipment with speech output
Services such as:
- Eye medical care
- Vision rehabilitation services
- Low vision services
- Job site modification
- Individualized orientation to the job and to the work site
- Job training or retraining

So keep in mind that you may continue to be a productive employee and still receive satisfaction from your job. Read these testimonials from people who have gone back to work after vision loss:

For more information about vocational rehabilitation services in your state, contact AFB's information line at (800) AFB-LINE (800-232-5463) or e-mail afbinfo@afb.net. Or check our online directory at www.afb.org/services.asp.

For More Infomation

AFB CareerConnect®. AFB's online information resource about employment can provide you with lots of information about remaining at work or returning to work, and many success stories about people who are working.