Breaking stereotypes and creating job opportunities for the visually impaired 

“We organised school events before, and the principal was grateful that students had the rare opportunity to meet visually impaired persons.” These experiences have taught Winnie, who is also visually impaired, the significance of connection and understanding. “When you get along with the visually impaired, you will realise they are no different besides their eyesight.” To create more opportunities for the visually impaired, she launched the social innovation project VI Career Advocates. “Give us a chance to show what we are capable of.”

Advocates for jobs and showcase

When we talk about the underprivileged and employment, the focus is often on job hunting. Winnie’s project not only helps the visually impaired to seek freelance work and meet potential clients, but also recruits them as “advocates” to organise various events. A series of 6 workshops was held last year, including music, coffee and Rubik’s Cube, which allows the visually impaired to showcase their lesser-known skills and work abilities.

May their capabilities be known

“The visually impaired are not limited in terms of professions, we can be doctors, software engineers, secretaries, couriers, and even PhD holders. It’s normal for people to be skeptical, as they are not one of us to know what skills we possess.” Being one of them, Winnie is amazed by their abilities. “I have heard about a hospital secretary who is blind but worked for many years, with a wealth of experience. When we finally got to meet at a gathering, I couldn’t help but think more people should know about these achievements.” 

Turning pain into power

Through her project, she offered IT and digital marketing training for visually impaired freelancers, so that they could enhance their work efficiency and better promote their services. Moreover, the visually impaired instructors could gain teaching experience and hopefully find more teaching opportunities afterwards.  Winnie also shared her personal experience, “Back then I felt hopeless, I didn’t realise that I could master assistive computer tools in advance, before my eyesight deteriorated.” Regardless of the type of training and activities, the spotlight is on expanding the job market for the visually impaired. She hopes to build a network in which visually impaired freelancers from different industries can share their clients with each other.

Giving back to the community 

Winnie studied engineering but took on various roles previously, including assistant engineer, textbook editor and houseparent. As one of the Incubatees of MakerBay Foundation’s Impact Innovation Lab, receiving The Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund, it is her first time establishing a social enterprise. After half a year, she admits there is still room for improvement. For her, promotion is the most challenging, as being visually impaired makes it hard to handle visuals, like taking photos and videos. It is also difficult for them to beat sighted freelancers in being the first to reply to clients’ inquiries on online freelance job referral platforms. Despite these challenges, she continues to serve the visually impaired community. “I am a dedicated person, and gave my all for studies, but life works in mysterious ways. I learnt that my eyesight would deteriorate when I was in my 30s. The many resources spent on me would be a waste, if I don’t realise my full potential.” Looking ahead, Winnie believes that there is no formula for success; she will take her time going forward, and figure out how to play to her strengths.