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).   

15