For decades, our Job Readiness & Independent Living Program has helped thousands of individuals who are blind or visually impaired build the skills to navigate daily life with confidence and succeed in the workplace. If you’ve recently experienced significant vision loss or have been away from the workforce and are ready to reenter it, the Job Readiness & Independent Living Program at The Carroll Center for the Blind is designed for you.

In this 12-week residential program, our expert team of vision professionals will provide the skills, training, technology, and support you need to live more independently and return to work with confidence. Whether you’re rebuilding foundational skills or preparing to pursue new employment goals, you’ll receive personalized instruction and practical tools to build a more independent future!

Donna T.

“The Carroll Center has an amazing ability to fit a square blind person into the round peg of life with such dignity that it felt like that’s how it should be.”

Program Benefits

• Personalized Instruction: Receive comprehensive training based on your current skills and goals.
• Expert, Caring Instructors: Learn from certified professionals who are highly trained, compassionate, and deeply committed to your success.
• Community: Build lifelong connections with peers who understand the journey of vision loss. Room and board are provided for eligible participants.
• Technology You Keep: Receive a free laptop with personalized assistive technology—yours to keep after graduation.
• Ongoing Tech Support: Stay connected and confident with weekly virtual tech support during and after the program.
• Real-World Readiness: Build essential skills needed for successful employment and greater independence.
• Continued Learning: Return for no-cost refresher training (space permitting).

What You’ll Learn

You’ll work one-on-one and in group settings with our experienced team to build the essential skills needed for employment and independent living, including:

• Orientation & Mobility: Learn to travel safely indoors and outside, navigate public transit, unfamiliar routes, and workplace settings independently.
• Technology Proficiency: Explore adaptive tools to use computers, tablets and mobile devices independently for personal and work tasks.
• Daily Living Skills: Learn adaptive methods to complete daily living tasks and independently manage your home, school and work environments.
• Adjustment and Self-Advocacy: Receive counseling and support to build confidence and enable you to advocate for yourself within your family, community and workplace.
• Time Management & Organization: Learn to stay organized with accessible calendars and task-tracking tools.
• Workplace Readiness: Learn to use adaptive tools to manage finances, build a resume, search and apply for jobs, while identifying the tools and accommodations you need to be successful on the job.

Assessment and Individualized Planning

All clients participating in our 12-week residential Job Readiness & Independent Living Program begin with a 2-week comprehensive assessment on the Carroll Center for the Blind campus in Newton, MA. This allows our team to better understand your current skills and goals, and determine how we can best support your success throughout the program. Based on this assessment, our team develops an individualized instructional plan, ensuring each client gets the support they need to grow.

Get Started

Whether you’re returning to work, changing career paths, or just beginning your journey after vision loss, our Job Readiness & Independent Living Program can help you regain confidence and independence to achieve your goals.

Not sure if you’d benefit from training at the Carroll Center? Complete our quick pre-assessment, and our team will help you explore your next steps to find the right path forward.