Disabilities In The Workplace

So you have a new coworker who is blind or visually impaired… now what?  It’s not uncommon to have honest questions.  Here are some simple tips on how to talk to, assist, work with and generally better understand a colleague who is blind or visually impaired.

• Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guarantee nondiscrimination and equal treatment in work-related situations—not “special treatment.”
• A person who is blind or visually impaired would not be in a certain job if he or she was not qualified.
• People who are blind or visually impaired may use a variety of assistive technology equipment on the job to access a computer, to read printed material, and to write and take notes. 
• With the proper accommodations, a person who is blind or visually impaired can and should be held to the same standards as other employees.

Many of these tips have been provided complements of the Chicago Lighthouse.

Quick Facts on Blindness and Visual Impairment
Quick Facts on Deaf Blind
How You Can Help
How to Communicate with Someone Who is Blind
A Summary