Learner’s Goal:

To understand the changing work environment and how this affects older persons with visual impairments.

At the end of the module, you will be able to discuss future trends in the work environment and the current status of employment of older persons with visual impairments.

"Two facts stand out: (1) older people will need the financial support of work; (2) the economy will need older workers because the growth of the workforce has slowed. Before the full effect of the aging of our population on our work force is felt, it is important that policy makers, legislators, employers, and older workers look at ways to plan and assure that we do not waste the valuable resource of older, disabled workers" (Cisco, 1991, pp. 11-12).

The U.S. Department of Labor’s forecast calls for total employment to grow by 1.3 percent through year 2006–not counting the added demand for replacement workers for retirees or those changing occupations. The supply of workers is expected to increase by only 1.1 percent annually. This translates to a shortage of about 4.5 million workers (Radtke, 1999).

"As a nation, we are growing older, and so is our Workforce. Today, there are 49 million workers in American aged 45 years and older–approximately 35 percent of America’s labor force–and by 2008 that number will grow to 62 million, or about 40 percent of the workforce. One in four Americans between the ages of 65 and 69 has at least a part-time job and 80 percent from the "baby boom" generation intends to keep working past the age of 65. Increasingly, older Americans want to work and for most, the opportunity to work adds not only to the length but also to the quality of their lives" (Clinton, 2000).

Currently only half of all working age people with disabilities are employed. The situation is worse for older persons with visual disabilities. A study of VR closures in 1998 ( Cavenaugh & Rogers, in press) showed that 24 percent of a sample (n =2102) of consumers with visual impairments aged 55 years of age and older were closed in competitive-sector employment (competitive, self-employed, or Business Enterprises Program (BEP).

The employment of people with significant disabilities has improved recently and the projected tight national labor market coupled with computer technologies and acceptance of home-based work should help to change the work status of older people with disabilities.

1. Conduct a literature review of JVIB and other journals to find articles about older workers and write a summary of what you find.

2. Interview 2-3 people who are under 65 and over 65. How do people in each age category feel about work? How about continuing to work (full or part-time) after retirement?

3. Find out about technology training programs available for older workers in your area.

Congratulations!

You have finished Module 1.

Now go on to the key points section to review what you have learned. You will find these at the end of each module.

1. When the economic picture improves, it is projected there will be a shortfall in the supply of workers in the workforce within the next decade.

2. The numbers of older workers who are visually impaired are not keeping pace with the numbers of older workers in general.

You will find a self-check section at the end of each module to allow you to find out what you have learned and help you identify sections you may need to review before moving on to the next module.

Please answer each True or False and check Appendix A for answers.

____1. Only 10 percent of older persons who are visually impaired currently work.

____2. Older persons are not interested in working.

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