It’s not uncommon for people who are blind or have low vision to face misconceptions about their abilities.
The workplace is just one area where this challenge is often encountered. Research shows that just 24% of Australians who are blind or have low vision are in full time employment.
There is no doubt employer attitudes need to change to address this and Ben Pettingill believes people who are blind or have low vision can play a significant role in this by being able to effectively communicate their value.
Ben lost 98 per cent of his vision overnight at the age of 16 and believes this gave him a new perspective on life and an opportunity to help others who are blind or have low vision
“Don’t bring yourself down due to something you can’t control,” Ben says.
“With the right skills and knowledge, limitations really don’t exist, they are only a need to do things differently,” he says.
Check out this video from Ben for more of his insights on how people who are blind or have low vision can confidently approach a potential employer and demonstrate the value they can bring to a workplace.
You can find more from Ben here, or check out the rest of the simple and practical advice to help people who are blind or have low vision empower themselves on Cornerstone, our new online resource hub.
If you think you need more support to find or maintain a job, you can request a call from our Employment Services team to discuss your options.