Khoo (left) aims to secure a part-time job to earn extra pocket money. Photos: The Star/Sheela Chandran

They share the same vision: To have the opportunity to earn a living, regardless of their visual impairment.

On Sept 10, nearly 140 blind individuals thronged to the MyFutureJobs Visually Impaired Persons’ Career Day 2024 at the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) Complex in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. The job fair offered a platform that catered specifically to their needs, providing them a chance to connect with potential employers and showcase their skills.

Visually impaired job seekers eagerly await their interviews at the fair.

The event, launched by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, was co-organised by MAB and Social Security Organisation (Socso) with the support of the Human Resources Ministry and Malaysian Employers Federation.

Many visually impaired individuals travelled from near and far for the fair, the first of its kind by MAB and Socso. For people with special needs, it was a good opportunity to secure meaningful employment. Most of them were in their 20s and 30s, with a few in their 60s and 70s.

To ensure he’d be on time for the fair, visually impaired Brian Khoo Chong Tian, 20, left his home in Klang, Selangor at 7am, and travelled on the commuter, MRT and monorail lines. He arrived at MAB by 9am, and waited patiently for the event to begin an hour later.

Armed with his resume, certificates and STPM results (with an impressive CGPA of 3.92), the former St John’s Institution student in KL was eager to secure a part-time job before enrolling in a public university.

“I attended the fair to find a part-time job and earn some extra pocket money. I truly appreciate this fair because it gives visually impaired individuals a chance to earn a living. Many people are struggling to find jobs, and it’s even harder for those with disabilities,” said Khoo, who was born blind.

“Many companies are hesitant to hire persons with disabilities (OKU), assuming we can’t handle certain tasks because of our limitations. But we can, if we are given the chance,” explained Khoo, who hopes to gain entry into Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia to pursue a degree in special education.

Thanks to the job fair, the blind have a chance to earn a living.

Khoo took the opportunity to put in his application at a web-based matching platform between sports player and sports coach, and an events management company.

“Despite my visual impairment, I can accomplish many tasks with online tools. I hope companies will recognise my skills and offer me an opportunity to work,” said Khoo.

At the event, candidates were screened as employers reviewed their resumes, assessing their experience and how they could fit the job roles offered.

Interviewers focused on the candidates’ skills, work history and what they could bring to the table within the scope of available positions.

Thanamalar (right) hopes to get a job that matches her skills and needs.

Johor Baru-based Thanamalar Narayanasamy, 34, who has glaucoma, took a bus from Larkin Sentral in JB at 11pm the night before and reached KL at 4.30am, several hours before the fair began.

With over a decade of experience as a hotel operator and sales assistant at a department store in Johor, Thanamalar is now seeking a new job in Kuala Lumpur. She has completed several vocational training programmes at MAB.

“I hope to secure a job in customer service, as I have over eight years of experience in this field. Nowadays, finding a job is challenging, so I’m open to exploring other opportunities as well. I believe it’s even harder for visually impaired people because many employers still have misconceptions about our capabilities. But we are adaptable, and we are willing to take on new challenges.”

Job seekers engage with potential employers at the fair.

In his speech, Sim said the programme was an important step in providing a dedicated career platform for job seekers with disabilities, especially the visually impaired.

“The job fair offers more than 321 job vacancies from 12 participating employers, providing much-needed employment opportunities for this community.

Alosious Lawrence, 74, who is blind, is hopeful of finding a job.“According to statistics released by the Department of Social Welfare, as of July 2024, there are 61,112 registered visually impaired individuals in Malaysia. Each year, around 3,000 visually impaired individuals benefit from various services provided by MAB, including career support and skill development. MAB has also successfully helped over 500 visually impaired graduates secure jobs in both the public and private sectors, based on their suitability and skills.”

MAB chief executive officer Datuk George Thomas expressed his satisfaction with the event’s success. He noted that the fair not only transformed lives but also contributed to creating a more inclusive job market, free from prejudice and discrimination.

“It was fantastic to see nearly 140 visually impaired individuals attending interviews, with five securing positions and 63 invited for second interviews. Kudos to the team for your hard work. My message to visually impaired individuals is to remember that your vision doesn’t define your future; your determination and skills do. And always keep that in mind. Every challenge is an opportunity – embrace your unique journey and let it lead you to success.”

A brighter future