Fig.1 – Rosa Henderson Wearing an eSight Eye-ware
I recently landed a full-time job living with permanent visual impairment. I couldn’t have done it alone without the support of some fantastic people.
My visual impairment was a huge dilemma. I was born visually impaired with Optic Nerve Atrophy, and at age 3, I got my first pair of glasses. I couldn’t see the classroom chalkboard in real-time. Handheld magnifying devices and CCTVs were the only tools to read textbooks, and I relied solely on my memory to get by. It was with a lot of struggle and lack of accommodations, but I did graduate high school. However, I lacked the confidence and motivation and did not see myself continuing to college.
I had held a job or two during high school, but this was always the dilemma. So, therefore, I started my journey to try to obtain employment. This in itself had a new set of struggles to overcome. “Do I expose myself and tell them I have a visual impairment? Or do I hide it because I might not get the job?”. Upon entering the workforce after high school, I approached it with both strategies.
Fig.2 – Example of Optic Nerve Atrophy
In most cases, when I disclosed my visual impairment, I was limited and not allowed to try and perform the job tasks. Then it became apparent that not disclosing it was the better option. My vision is sufficient enough that it is not evident just from seeing me. So, I could self-accommodate and hide it pretty well, or so I thought. In some cases, it was discovered, but I had been there long enough that I had befriended some co-workers, and they were willing to assist me and make the accommodations I needed which in most cases were minimal. For example, I simply needed a larger monitor to use my computer efficiently.
Fig.3 – Working the Problem of Visual Impairment without eSight Eye-ware
I was introduced to eSight, a wearable device that helps me to see in real-time. It made it so I could see things in real time easier. Not only that, but amazing people also surrounded me; co-mates, leaders, and coaches who believed in me and were open to possibilities. After training in the new technology, I was given the opportunity to work with the company. I was invited to attend events and welcomed by people who were unafraid to accommodate me when I needed it. I also gained confidence and helped create simple solutions so I could be an equal contributor just like any other employee. If I didn’t know how to do something, someone would show me, share their screen or adjust the contrast so I could see how it’s done. I started to build up my confidence and critical thinking skills. I started as a coach with eSight, and through my four years there, I also worked with sales and assisted with PR events. I attended conferences such as CES, and I have spoken at various public engagements and worked with various accessibility teams, co-presented with the CEO on a podcast, and even became the host of a weekly coffee chat!
“If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. But if you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.”
Fig.4 – Rosa Henderson with KLAS 8 Las Vegas on using eSight to navigate COVID-19 challenges
Looking back, it was human kindness that taught me how to fish. Using my eSight, I completed an associate degree in Business Administration. I developed new skills and no longer wait to be asked what I needed. Because of the confidence others have given me, I now know I have something to offer, and I have value to give to an employer and can contribute to their business being successful.
If there was something I can take away from all this to build a truly inclusive environment and promote open-mindedness:
Don’t assume what people can’t do. Let them show you what they can do.
A warm invitation can go a long way and encourage their participation.
Accommodating visual impairment ( or any disability ) isn’t always complicated. Sometimes the solution could be as simple as increasing the contrast or text size.
Let people show their abilities, and you’ll be surprised to see how they adapt.
You might be passing up on some fantastic talent because “you” feel that person may not be able to perform as is needed.
I have now been employed by another excellent company that was opened minded enough to hire me. They have technology that is sure to change the world, and I can be proud to say I am a contributor to that change.
