UNLOCKING OPPORTUNITIES for Careers and Transitioning Krista M. Davis, O.D. Columbia Lighthouse

Statistics  119,386,252 total USA population  4,453,200, population over 40, with vision impairments and blindness  Approx. 82,000 children in public schools with vision impairments  16 million patients in USA with Diabetes  Diabetes leading cause of blindness in working age adults in USA Obtained 2000 census and Prevent Blindness America

Top Five Barriers to Employment  POVERTY – 96% listed as number 1  Employer discrimination – 59%  Lack of education and resources – 48%  Employers lack of awareness – 44%  Lack of necessary technologies – 35% Obtained through the Journal of Vision Impairments and Blindness (JVIB)

Addressing Barriers  Educating employers Show success stories and utilize technology to decrease employer concern Know the technology and how to access it Know the cost!  Training employees  Working with resources to obtain technology/ equipment

Creating Partnerships  Identify the employer’s need  Know the cost and expectations  Identify external KEY partners  Identify the necessary technology and cost  Know your candidate pool and identify their strengths  Establish new training programs to increase the skill sets of candidates  Create a WIN-WIN-WIN situation  FOLLOW THROUGH!

Track Your Candidates  Know your market and your candidates.  What types of employment are your candidates looking for?  How do you access them?  What skills to they have?  Do they meet the employers need? If not… How can you assist them? What programs and training do you offer?

CLB Success Stories  VAMC Switchboard  State Department Mailroom  Arrow Financial Services  Jackson and Campbell  Andrews AFB  AAA MidAtlantic  Supply Cart Stores

Transitioning  Job or further education?  Skill level?  Career interest inventory

Transition Strategies  Support groups  Summer programs –Social skills –Academic enrichment  Identification of available programs –NASA Goddard summer jobs  Volunteer opportunities  Internships

Additional Resources  Scholarships and grants  Available community resources –Rehabilitation Services –Para transit –Alternate formats

Navigating the Rapids of Life  Videotape and booklet from APH –Focuses on employment success for young people with visual disabilities  Teaches incidental learning, organizational skills, compensatory skills and social skills  Available as part of Transition Tote system –Assists high school students as they explore and prepare for the world of work