EMPLOYMENT STATUS & EARNINGS OF  WORKING 

AGE PERSONS  WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS

Data on the employment status of persons with visual impairments 

presented in this document was obtained from two sources:  the Survey 

of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), and the National Health 

Interview Survey on Disability (NHIS D).  Please note each source uses a 

different definition of vision impairment and includes different age 

categories of working age adults. 

Data From the Survey of Income and Program Participation

Nationally, among persons age 21 to 64 who have a visual impairment 

(

defined as difficulty or inability to see words and letters in ordinary 

newspaper print even when wearing glasses or contact lenses)

, only 

41.5% are employed; among individuals 

unable to see words and letters

, 

this figure decreases to 29.9%   This proportion is significantly lower than 

the estimated 84% of persons in this age group without any kind of 

disability who were employed (Figure 2) (McNeil, 2001). 

Figure 2

Employment Status Among Persons age 21 64

 with and without a Visual Impairment, 1997

100%

84.4

80%

70.1

58.5

60%

41.5

40%

29.9

15.6

20%

Percent Employed

0%

No Disability

Vis. Impaired

Severe V.I.

(overall)

Employed

Not Employed

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