How can I decide what I want to do vocationally?

Vocational Assessment

A formal vocational assessment [1] can be conducted by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor [2] from your State Department of Rehabilitation or State Commission for the Blind/Vision Impaired [3], or by a private or public agency qualified to administer such an assessment. These assessments can help you learn more about the types of jobs that are the best match for your abilities, interests, and skills. Vocational assessments are usually administered in your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor’s office, but can also take place at One-Stop Career Centers [4], community agencies, or work evaluation centers within your state. Most vocational assessments address the following areas:

• Achievement level: How strong are your reading, writing, math, and technology skills? If you are stronger in some areas than in others, this can help guide your vocational interests.
• Interests and aptitude: If you are blind or have low vision, it is helpful to obtain information about a variety of jobs and employment settings from people who are actually doing the work, especially if they are blind or have low vision themselves. Many high school programs offer career exploration classes to help you learn more about the kinds of jobs that might be a good match for your interests and abilities.
• Personal preference: Even though you may have the ability to perform a job, as well as an interest in the actual job tasks, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the job is a good fit with your interests and lifestyle. For example, if you enjoy both working with numbers and people contact, you might not be a good match for an accounting job that provides limited interaction with other people.
• Job availability: It is important to know what jobs are in demand and where they are located geographically. One-Stop Career Centers [5], coordinated by the US Department of Labor, can provide job market information and help you access a wide range of government assistance programs.

While a vocational assessment focuses on those areas critical in determining a career direction, you should also consider the daily living skills you’ll need at home and in the workplace, such as indoor and outdoor travel [6], financial management [7], assistive technology [8], communication skills [9], and personal self-care [10]. If you think you need additional training in any of these areas, ask your classroom teacher, special education teacher, school guidance counselor, or Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor [2] to help you find additional resources.