An examination of data collected from the Survey of Income and Program
Participation 1991 1992 and 1997 indicate an increase in the proportion of
persons with a
severe vision impairment
who are employed (Figure 3).
During 1997, 29.9% of persons with a severe vision impairment were
employed, in comparison to 25.6% in 1991 1992. However, the proportion
of persons with a
vision impairment
overall who are working decreased
slightly from 1991 1992 to 1997 (45.5% and 41.5% employed,
respectively) (McNeil, 1993; McNeil, 2001).
Figure 3
Percentage of Persons with a vision impairment who are
Employed 1991 1992 v. 1997
45.5
50%
41.5
40%
29.9
25.6
30%
20%
10%
Percent Employed
0%
1991 1992
1997
severe impairment
overall impairment
Results of the National Longitudinal Transition Study indicate that only 29% of the
youths with visual impairments (between the ages of 16 and 21 years) were
competitively employed 3 5 years following secondary school. This figure can be
compared to 57% of youths with disabilities overall and 69% of youth in general
who are employed (Blackorby & Wagner, 1996).
Average Annual Earnings
Average annual earnings of individuals with visual impairments are about 31%
lower than those earned by persons without disabilities ($21,559 versus $31,053)
and persons who are severely visually impaired report average yearly incomes that
are approximately 37% lower than those earned by persons without disabilities
($19,714 versus $31,053) (McNeil, 2001).
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