Each state has a State Department of Rehabilitation or a State Commission for the Blind/Vision Impaired that is responsible for vocational rehabilitation. These agencies have counselors, also called Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, who are assigned to help individuals with disabilities to reach their employment goals.

Some counselors will be experienced in assisting people who are blind or have low vision, while others may have had limited or no experience with people who are blind or have low vision and, depending upon your location, will have limited access to resources. 

For these reasons, it is vital for you to play an active role in researching the employment options that are the best “fit” for you.  The lifetime skills you’ve acquired are valuable and transferable in ways a counselor might not fully understand. 

Always remember that it is your skills, education, experience, and interests that will be your most effective guide when seeking employment.  If you require additional skills to perform your desired job because of your vision impairment, be sure to seek and ask for the specific skills you’ll need.  Individuals who are blind or have low vision successfully work side-by-side with fully sighted people in all kinds of work situations. Set your work or career goals high and pursue them!