Whether you need or want to continue working with Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), vision loss can present challenges, even if self-employed. However, many continue their careers by utilizing adaptations for low vision and finding suitable, less visually demanding roles. Awareness of legal protections in the workplace is also crucial.
If you’re qualified to do your job because of your skills and experience, your employer is required to make “reasonable accommodations” in the workplace for changes in your vision. “Reasonable accommodations” are changes that don’t cause “undue hardship,” such as a significant expense. Your company is required to pay for adaptations and put them in place. If you have or are starting to have symptoms of macular degeneration, it’s a good time to work with your employer to make adjustments.
The ADA offers the same protection to job applicants as it does to people who are already employed. You can’t be turned down just because of your vision if you’re qualified and reasonable accommodations would make it possible for you to do the job. It may help to come to the interview prepared to explain how you can manage the job with some simple adaptive devices.
Some work tasks and environments lend themselves to accommodations better than others. But especially if you work mainly in an office, a number of tools and adjustments are available that fall within the definition of “reasonable accommodations”—in other words, they should be covered by your employer. Here are some examples of adjustments you can make at work or in your home office:
If you’re struggling with your work, get proactive about finding solutions. Make the assumption that challenges can be overcome so you can keep doing your job. First, make a list of tasks you must accomplish in your work that are impacted by your vision. Then find someone who can advise you. Your first option might be a local low-vision center. In many towns and cities, you can find a nonprofit that provides people with visual impairments free training.
You may be surprised at what you can still manage with some simple tips and adaptive devices. People have managed to continue operating power tools and painting in their jobs, even with vision impairment.
See Tools & Resources
There’s a wealth of information on ADA adaptations at the Job Accommodation Library
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