Assessment of the Career Development Needs of Persons with Visual Impairment in Kaduna State

Persons with visual impairment face distinct career development barriers in Nigeria, including inadequate vocational guidance, employer discrimination, and inaccessible career information systems that compound existing disability-related employment challenges. This study assessed the career development needs of persons with visual impairment in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria. A needs assessment descriptive survey was conducted among 120 visually impaired persons aged 18 to 40 from the Kaduna School for the Blind and two community blindness rehabilitation centres. The Career Needs Assessment Scale adapted for visually impaired populations was administered through verbal interview format. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were applied. Results showed that career information access was rated as inadequate by 88.3 percent of respondents. The highest priority unmet needs were assistive technology for workplace access (91.7 percent), employer sensitisation support (83.3 percent), skills-matching career guidance (79.2 percent), and follow-up job retention support (76.7 percent). Only 17.5 percent had ever accessed formal career counselling. Employment rate among respondents was 22.5 percent. Younger respondents expressed stronger desire for career guidance compared to older peers. The study recommends accessible career counselling services using audio-based and Braille materials, disability-inclusive career guidance training for counsellors, and advocacy for employer inclusion policies in Kaduna State.

Keywords: career development, visual impairment, persons with disabilities, Kaduna State, inclusive counselling