All month long we have been talking about National Disability Employment Awareness Month and how #InclusionWorks in the workplace. We’ve covered resources for finding a job, the use and importance of the white mobility cane, steps in the employment process, and what employers need to know about hiring a person with a visual impairment. But you know what we haven’t shared with you yet? Stories of individuals with vision loss who have found gainful employment.
Blessing Offor: Stepping Into the Spotlight As a Blind Musician on NBC’s The Voice
Singer, songwriter, and musician Blessing Offor has the courage it takes to step into the spotlight as a visually impaired performing artist. Best known as a contestant on season seven of NBC’s The Voice, Blessing’s stunning sound and persistence is calling our attention to his growing career.
Blessing was born with congenital glaucoma, which affected the vision in his left eye. In pursuit of better medical and educational opportunities, Blessing and his family moved from Nigeria to the United States when he was five years old. A few years later, Blessing was in an accident and lost vision in his right eye. Today, he is legally blind, but that hasn’t stopped him from pursuing his career goals.
VisionAware Peer Advisor, Empish Thomas, had the opportunity to sit down with Blessing and ask him about his experience as a young musician.
Read this interview with Blessing to discover how he is making a name for himself in the music industry!