A study funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
People with blindness or low vision face persistent barriers to finding and keeping employment and nearly half of people with visual impairments are out of the workforce. Studies show that mentoring and self-employment can improve employment outcomes for people with visual impairments. However, vocational rehabilitation (VR) staff, who normally provide support to job seekers with visual impairments, may not know how best to support these job seekers in accessing and pursuing these options.
Researchers at the NIDILRR-funded Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Employment of People Who are Blind or Have Low Vision explored whether people with visual impairments not in the workforce were offered mentoring or self-employment options as part of their VR services; whether they considered taking these options--either through VR or on their own; and what their thoughts and experiences were on these options.
Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 30 adults with visual impairments who were neither currently employed nor actively seeking work at the time of the study. Most of the participants were female and White, and about half had some functional or low vision while the remainder were totally blind. The researchers found the following results:
Mentoring
Most participants had never worked with a VR agency on mentoring or had a mentor. Participants reported that VR was often not helpful in finding networking or mentoring opportunities, leading a few to start their own mentoring groups or relationships.
Eight participants had mentors through structured VR mentoring programs and other sources, including six employment-related mentors.
Among participants with mentors, some reported that their mentors provided encouragement, accountability, and job leads, while others reported that their mentors did not understand visual impairment or other health challenges.
Among participants without mentors, most said mentors could help build confidence, provide advice, or problem solve, but some were unclear about what mentoring should look like.
Although most participants were connected to blindness-related organizations that might offer mentorship, some were unaware they offered such programs, and some older participants noted a lack of support for those with later onset visual impairments.
Self-employment
- Most participants had never worked with a VR agency on self-employment. Some participants discussed self-employment with their VR counselors, but said their counselors restricted their options or denied support for their choice of work.
Two-thirds of participants considered self-employment, but few actively pursued it. Only one had a history of self-employment as main employment, and several had side jobs such as selling crafts, tutoring, or writing.
Participants who were interested in self-employment cited benefits like greater control over schedule and work environment, fewer transportation challenges, and avoiding difficulties with employer-provided accommodations.
Participants who were not interested in self-employment cited worries about income instability and its potential effect on disability benefits along with apprehension about managing the financial responsibilities of self-employment.
The authors noted VR providers may be hesitant to suggest mentoring and self-employment options because they may have limited knowledge about such programs or organizations that can connect people with visual impairments to those supports. The authors recommended that VR agencies expand adult mentoring programs, use structured mentoring tools to guide counselors and mentors in supporting job seekers, and connect clients to such programs through blindness-related organizations and peer networks.
Though some participants tried self-employment or had a side job, concerns about financial stability or job options may have kept them from actively pursuing it further. VR staff may need additional training and resources to support clients in developing viable self-employment plans. The authors also suggested that benefits counseling may help address financial uncertainties of self-employment. Expanding these supports could encourage greater workforce participation, reduce isolation, and increase economic security among people with visual impairments.
To learn more:
The National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision offers many resources for current and future employees, employers, and employment professionals, including an Employment Mentoring Manual for consumers and providers interesting in finding a mentor or starting a mentoring program.
The Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities has a Vocational Rehabilitation Self-Employment Guide and other resources for people with disabilities and VR counselors to assess self-employment readiness and develop a business plan.
To learn more about this study:
Crudden, A., Steverson, A., Sergi, K. (2025). Mentoring and self-employment: potential strategies to promote labor force participation. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation. doi.org/10.1177.10522263251326404.