What can one learn about people who have vision impairments on the Internet? One can explore definitions of dozens of causes of vision impairments; learn about numerous adaptive technologies; find out what one needs to know to find and keep a job. The list seems endless.

Recently, surfing the Internet for resources on vision impairment and employment, I discovered the website of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), and was pleased with the site's wealth of information and opportunities. I reviewed other websites about vision impairment including the National Federation for the Blind, but the AFB's website was my favorite.

I am a Workforce Professional, helping people find jobs and secure training to qualify for jobs. So I am partial to tools that help individuals get jobs, and the AFB has a very exciting one. The AFB website features a free, online course called ‘Bridging the Gap.' It is intended for people like me who are, "professionals interested in improving their awareness and understanding of issues faced by adults who are visually impaired and have low literacy skills."

‘Bridging the Gap' is one of a myriad of resources on this website. It includes information addressing issues that arise when a person has vision loss. People can develop non-correctable vision loss at any age. I was 57 when I became so vision-impaired that I couldn't deny it anymore. I wish I had come across this website then. It has only been two years since I lost my vision but I could have used that knowledge earlier.

The section of the site entitled "Living Independently and Productively" includes topics such as Reading and Writing, Raising a Family, Having a Social Life, Traveling, Maintaining a Career or Launching a New One, Enjoying Recreational Sports and Games.

I had been wondering if I could join my daughter on her travels in Europe this fall without being too much of a burden to her. I was planning on taking my daughters and grandchildren to a cabin in the Sierras for the holidays and thinking that I wouldn't be able to ski because of the glare and not being able to see the ground well. My depth perception is bad. But this website leads me to think that there are strategies and skills for doing all these things. I just have to learn them. And now I know where to start.

For parents there is wonderful information on how to help your vision-impaired child get the most out of the educational system. The website says that less than half of visually impaired adults are employed. I have heard that figure is as low as 20 percent. In any case the point is that the number is low, too low. This site notes many strategies to improve the vision-impaired job seeker's ability to cope and develop the skills to get a job.

The ‘Where Can I Find?' page helps users identify agencies for training on adaptive technologies in the workplace; business/personal services; computer training; personnel preparation and lots of other services.

And, though limited, there is a section including basic information about vision loss in Spanish. I recommend this resource for people with vision loss and for everyone who is looking for concise, well-organized and easy-to-understand information about independent living for people with vision loss.

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