Looking for a new job can be quite a stressful and time-consuming process – particularly for disabled professionals. However, utilizing some of the many available career resources can help make the job search process a bit easier, quicker and more successful for blind and visually impaired professionals.
This comprehensive list features dozens of organizations, websites and federal programs and other useful resources for blind and visually impaired job seekers.
Job Openings
Searching for job openings? The following websites and agencies feature employment opportunities for blind, visually impaired and disabled professionals.
National Industries for the Blind Careers
The NIB is always looking to hire talented professionals for a diverse range of positions – from IT jobs at their office in D.C., to customer service jobs at NIB-associated agencies (like ours!) which are located across the country.
ACB Job Connection
American Council of the Blind’s Job Connection board features nationwide job announcements listed under a variety of categories.
Here at ibMilwaukee, our goal is to provide meaningful employment opportunities to blind and visually impaired professionals. While our headquarters are in Milwaukee, we always have plenty of opportunities available throughout the United States.
Operated by the United States Office of Personnel Management, this is the official website for finding and applying for a job with the U.S. federal government. USAJOBS has additional resources available to individuals with disabilities.
National Industry for the Blind’s CareersWithVision site is an employment resource created to serve people who are blind and seeking employment with NIB associated nonprofit agencies.
Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)
WRP is a government-sponsored recruitment program that connects federal sector employers nationwide with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities. Opportunities range from summer internships to permanent jobs.
The American Federation for the Blind’s job board features openings for blind and visually impaired professionals in a wide variety of locations and industries.
Think Beyond the Label’s motto is “labels get in the way, disabilities rarely do.” Their job board features a wide range of opportunities from employers looking to hire disabled professionals.
EOP’s Diversity and Inclusion Career Center
Equal Opportunity Publications’ Inclusion Career Center connect employers dedicated to hiring a diversified workforce with qualified job seekers in all career backgrounds.
Since 2002, disABLEDperson.com has been one of the most active independently-run job boards dedicated to employment opportunities for disabled professionals, with over 250,000 open jobs at any given time.
GettingHired’s mission is to empower job seekers with disabilities. In addition to their job board, they also have a wide variety of useful resources.
Sponsored by The Sierra Group Foundation, Recruit Disability is a job board dedicated to connecting disabled professionals with companies wishing to hire them.
Sponsored by ABILITY Magazine, ABILITY Jobs (formerly JobAccess) has been one of the country’s largest career sites dedicated to the employment of disabled professionals for over 20 years.
Part staffing agency, part employment training service, the mission of BIT is to provide educational and vocational opportunities for the blind community. Click here to learn more about Blind Institute of Technology.
Bender Consulting Services partners with corporations and federal agencies in order to recruit, screen, and hire individuals with disabilities in a variety of competitive career fields. They offer job openings in a wide variety of fields.
LandAjob is an approved Employment Network under the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program, boasting over 500,000 active job openings across the country.
Job Opportunities for Disabled Veterans
JOFDAV is a non-profit job search website that works with Wounded Warrior Transition Command Centers, DVOPs, LVERs and multiple military organizations. The site features jobs for veterans who are disabled, boasting over 200,000 listings.
Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities
COSD connects college students and recent graduates with disabilities to employment opportunities across the country.
Lime is a non-profit organization that connects disabled college students and alumni with scholarships, internships, and full time careers with their corporate partners.
Our Ability Connect is an online professional networking site where disabled professionals can create profiles and connect with professional mentors and employers.
Beyond Vision is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing employment to qualified individuals who are legally blind. The organization offers a wide range of positions, from entry level to management positions.
Career Training & Assistance
The following organizations offer a wide range of career training and job search assistance. There are a wide variety of free resources available, whether you’re looking to acquire new skills or need help writing your resume.
Vocational Rehab Agencies
Each state has its own vocational rehab agency, which is designed to help job seekers with disabilities secure employment. These agencies are a great resource for anyone looking for assistance with their job search, as they offer a plethora of free training programs for blind and visually impaired professionals.
Independent Living Centers are located throughout the U.S., providing individuals with disabilities everything from job coaching and training to information on employers who wish to recruit blind and visually impaired professionals.
National Industries for the Blind provides a variety of employment training programs for people who are blind. Each program is primarily focused on specialized skills required by NIB-affiliated agencies.
Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Hadley Institute offers online courses for blind and visually impaired people of all ages. In addition to technology training, the Hadley Institute for Professional Studies (HIPS) provides courses on finding employment, business writing, self-employment, and more.
American Job Centers assist job seekers with finding employment. Many locations have Disability Program Navigators on staff who can help people with disabilities locate relevant employment services.
The Ticket to Work program is a federally-funded employment program designed to provide Social Security disability beneficiaries the support they need to enter the workforce and maintain employment.
Sponsored by disABLEDperson, Microsoft Imagine Academy provides free technology training for disabled American veterans.
Accredited by The National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving People with Blindness or Visual Impairment, World Services for the Blind offers a wide variety of career training programs ranging from computer courses to professional certification.
Employment Tips and Resources
The following websites feature career tips and resources geared specifically towards blind, visually impaired and disabled professionals.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, CareerOneStop (COS) offers a wealth of resources for disabled professionals.
ibMilwaukee Career Tips and Resources
Our HR Manager Connie Knutson offers a wide range of career tips and resources for blind and visually impaired job seekers.
CareerConnect is an in-depth employment resource developed by the American Foundation for the Blind providing employment information, career exploration tools, and job search support for blind and visually impaired professionals.
This private Facebook group is designed for young professionals (ages 35 and younger) with disabilities. Participants can network, ask for advice, and view job openings in both the federal and private sectors.
EEOC Tips for Disabled Professionals
Hoping to apply for a job with the federal government? The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has an in-depth guide featuring tips for applicants with disabilities who wish to apply for federal jobs.
Veterans’ Employment and Training Service
The U.S. Department of Labor’s VETS program is a great resources for wounded veterans, provides employment resources and opportunities geared towards military veterans.
Shares information on programs and employment resources geared towards teens and young adults with disabilities.
ADA / Equal Opportunity Assistance
Know your rights! The following organizations and websites can provide advice and assistance with any issues pertaining to the American with Disabilities Act or Equal Opportunity Employment violations.
JAN provides free consulting services for job seekers with disabilities, offering one-on-one assistance for anyone who may be experiencing issues with requesting job accommodations or anything else pertaining to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The EEOC is responsible for ensuring that employers in the United States maintain fair hiring practices. While you hopefully will never have to contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for help, it’s a good resource for everyone to know about.
Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
As a division of the U.S. Department of Labor, the Office of Disability Employment Policy is dedicated to promoting and advancing employment opportunities for disabled professionals. While the ODEP is geared mainly towards employers, it’s a useful resource for finding information on new government policies and programs that may benefit you.
For more career advice and resources geared towards blind and visually impaired professionals, bookmark the ibMilwaukee blog and follow us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/ibviorganization/
