Hints for prospective employers

What is visual impairment

When the better eye carries tested vision at below 0.3, or when the visual field of the two eyes is less than 20 degrees, then it is a case of visual impairment. When the better eye carries tested vision above 0.03 but below 0.3, then it is a case of low vision. When the better eye carries tested vision at or below 0.03, then it is a case of total blindness.

Visual impairment may be congenitally or non-congenitally caused, resulting in structural or functional impairment of the visual organ (including the eye, the optic nerve, the optic path, and the vision centre in the brain), which even after due treatment still renders the affected person unable or having difficulty to visually perceive external objects and events.

Persons with low vision account for the majority of visually impaired persons.

Visually impaired population in Hong Kong

According to Special Issue Report No. 62 published by the Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Government in December 2014,  there were as of then over 174,800 “persons with vision difficulties”, of whom an estimated 40% or about 70,000 persons were visually impaired.

What is understood by “persons with vision difficulties”

This refers to any and all persons who claimed during the relevant census period that one or both of their eyes had persistent vision difficulties when not wearing corrective spectacles or contact lenses, or that they were at the time using some special vision aids or rehabilitative tools.

Career options for visually impaired persons

Provided there are job opportunities, the right vision aids, suitable training, and coordination in the workplace, visually impaired persons can take up a wide range of positions, including social worker, teacher, translator, masseur/masseuse, beautician, secretary, lawyer, market researcher, phone-based salesperson, customer service supervisor, musician, project supervisor, programmer, courier, receptionist, nurse, etc.

How to coordinate with a visually impaired employee?

The employer may provide the visually impaired employee with braille display or magnifying machine, or install computer software with screen magnifying or screen reading function. Furthermore, the employer may communicate beforehand with its other staff members, giving them guidance and encouragement, with the aim of enabling the visually impaired employee to get started happily and smoothly, while establishing an inclusive workplace for all.

Tips for communicating with visually impaired employees

Do: Speak clearly in moderate speed, while facing them during the speech.

Do: Mention your name before talking, and let them know if you are to leave them.

Do: When leading them to walk, let them touch your arm or elbow, while correctly describing to them the direction and distance.

Do: When leading them to sit down, place their hand on the back or seat of the chair, whereupon they will sit down by themselves.

Do: In case of any change in the workplace, tell them in advance the details of the change.

Don't: When leading them to walk, do not pull their hand, and when describing a location, do not use such expressions as “this side” or “that side”.

Don't: Avoid the use of terms like “see” or “watch”.

Don't: Do not assume that they need assistance in all aspects of their daily life, or else it would give them the feeling of being unduly pitied.

Support facilities

The most common support facilities for visually impaired persons include: magnifying machine, screen reading software, screen magnifying software, braille display, braille input method, etc.