For many young people with vision loss, the journey into work can feel uncertain – not because they lack talent or ambition, but because the path isn’t always clear.
That’s why it’s such a privilege for us to share stories like Riley’s and Rae’s.
They’re two young people whose journeys remind us why Blind Low Vision NZ’s youth pathways and graduate intern programmes matter, and what can happen when someone is given the chance to step into work feeling supported, confident and valued.
Meet Riley and Rae
Riley joined Blind Low Vision NZ as a graduate intern last year after applying for more than 300 jobs without success. Living with low vision, they’d encountered barrier after barrier – often before even getting the chance to show what they could do.
What stood out to Riley when they started with us was simple but powerful: accessibility wasn’t something extra. It was just how things worked.
Having Riley on the team has been a joy. We’ve watched their confidence grow day by day as they take their first steps toward full-time employment – something that once felt out of reach. Being part of a workplace that recognises strengths, encourages learning, and values contribution has helped Riley begin to imagine a future in work that feels genuinely possible.
We’ve also been celebrating a wonderful milestone for Rae, who completed a graduate internship with us last year.
Rae has since secured a permanent full-time role at Hachette, and her employer shared just how impactful that opportunity has been.
“Rae very quickly made herself an integral part of our team. So much so, we couldn’t imagine having to go back to life without her. We managed to create a new permanent full-time position for her, and a massive thank you to BLVNZ and the graduate programme – we would not have had this opportunity for Rae without it.”— Sacha, Hachette
Stories like Rae’s show what’s possible when workplaces see potential first. For many young people with vision loss, the biggest barrier isn’t ability, it’s opportunity. In fact, 75% of employed disabled people need no additional equipment or support to do their jobs. What they need most is the chance to get started.
Using strengths to build careers
Another big part of helping young people into work is shifting the way they see themselves.
That’s why Blind Low Vision NZ uses the Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment as part of our youth pathways and employment support. The assessment helps people identify their top strengths and begin focusing on what comes naturally to them: whether that’s creativity, relationship-building, problem-solving, or leadership.
Those insights are then explored through one-on-one coaching, alongside practical support like CV writing, interview preparation, and professional development sessions as part of our Work Ready programme.
For many young people, this can be a turning point. One of the BLVNZ tertiary students had this feedback:
“I used to focus on what I can’t do, but Strength Finder flipped my thinking around. Now I’m confident to focus on my strengths, not my deficits.”
Another participant shared how empowering it felt to finally have language for what they bring to the table:
“I found Strength Finder really useful – I now know how to talk confidently about my strengths in my CV and in interviews. It’s definitely helped my confidence.”
Employment is about more than earning an income. It’s about independence, confidence, connection, and feeling part of the world around you. We’re so happy to be a part of young people’s journeys into the next big stage of their lives.
Please donate generously to help more young people with vision loss access employment opportunities and build futures they’re proud of.
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