This page is an excerpt from our book, Sailing Farther Than the Eye Can See.
1. What kind of work would you love to do?
Emma: I’d love to work in the field of human services or psychology, or else do something creative in music and poetry.
Juan: My field is technology, but I also work well with people. I would love to work in customer service, tech support, training, or installing software and hardware. I’ve been pursuing a certificate in Accessibility or Assistive Technology and so that may open up new possibilities for me.
2. What are your greatest fears about working and what obstacles do you anticipate?
Emma: I have trouble with time and executive functioning so I think that may be an obstacle. Transportation may also pose a problem because it’s not always reliable and I don’t always have access to it. I worry about disclosing my disability in an interview, and I worry that an employer may not think I can do the job because of my visual impairment.
Juan: As a blind Puerto Rican, I worry that my coworkers may not understand what I’m trying to say; they may not be able to relate to me culturally, both in terms of my blindness and in terms of my ethnicity. Transportation may also be a steep obstacle for me.
3. What strengths or resources do you think will help you in your working life?
Emma: My passion will help me, lending me motivation. I’m curious and investigative and I’m good at research. My mentor Karen has helped me a lot, as has Josh Pearson and my writing mentor, Kate Chadbourne, and Massachusetts Commission for the Blind in general.
Juan: I really understand technology and I’m good at teaching it to other people. I’m patient and detail-oriented. As far as support goes, my mother’s help and mentorship have been very important for me, as well as the support of my whole family and my friends. My membership in the NFB has helped me to grow as a leader and has provided me with company and helped me to gain confidence; I know that this organization will help me as I enter the workforce, especially in terms of advocacy.
4. What do you think Blind or Visually Impaired people bring to work that is different, valuable, or surprising?
Emma: Visually Impaired people have to work twice as hard as everyone else to prove themselves, so they are extra hard workers. They have a different perspective and can bring in new ideas of how to do things. Visual impairment is a superpower for me. Adapting to being VI hasn’t been easy and I had to work really hard and that has taught me not to give up when I face a new situation. I can adapt to changes in the work environment because I’ve learned to adapt to a whole different way of living.
Juan: A blind person has to remember a great deal and so develops a sharp memory. He or she is also a skilled navigator of physical spaces and work processes. A blind person also brings his or her culture to work – roots, traditions, heritage – and that can enrich the workplace for everyone. For instance, as a native Puerto Rican, I’m proud and eager to educate people about my heritage and to share the pride, independence, and commitment to hard work that is central to our culture.
5. How have your views about work changed over the course of this project?
Emma: Before this project, I was very nervous about finding employment and anxious about the perceptions of employers about VI people. But now after learning about all these VI people in the workforce, I feel more confident about working as a blind person. I found Barbara Black very inspiring.
Juan: Before I started working with the Trades Win team, I was in a dark tunnel that had no end; I had tried hard to find work but couldn’t find anything, and that was discouraging. When I found this internship, I felt excited to contribute to a great project and that I had purpose. Working on the project has enabled me to contribute to my own community which makes me truly proud. I’ve been inspired by the interviews and by all the people I’ve encountered through this project. At this point, I feel confident that I will be able to find work helping people connect with and make good use of technology which is my passion and my vocation.