On April 26, IBF Foundation held the first session of the Empowering Visually Impaired Workers Seminar in Tokyo: Learning Career Development from an HR Professional. The event featured lecturer Ms. Hisako Kaneko, an IBF Foundation council member and long-time corporate HR specialist. A total of 12 participants joined – six in person and six online.
The attendees ranged in age from their 20s to 50s and included company employees, government workers, licensed massage therapists and acupuncturists. Notably, over half of the participants were in their 20s, highlighting young people’s strong interest in actively shaping their career paths.
Career insights from an employer’s perspective
The first half of the seminar featured a 50-minute lecture by Ms. Kaneko, who shared insights through personal experiences in parenting and her professional career, creating a safe and welcoming atmosphere.
Ms. Kaneko covered five key topics:
- Employment status of people with disabilities.
- Perspectives of hiring managers.
- Job opportunities for visually impaired individuals.
- Important points in job interviews.
- Approaches to career development.
Participants found it eye-opening to learn about hiring practices and internal corporate processes from an employer’s perspective. Ms. Kaneko also offered practical advice, such as the importance of preparing a “personal guide” to outline information on the considerations you need to make and what support you can do if you have it, which helps reassure employers.
Deepening Understanding Through Q&A
The second half of the session featured a Q&A where Ms. Kaneko answered participants’ concerns and challenges. Through tailored advice, attendees gained a clearer understanding of realistic career options and hiring considerations from a corporate viewpoint, fostering valuable discussions among participants.
A young adult-focused initiative with broader impact
Designed primarily for young adults uncertain about their careers, the seminar incorporated concerns heard in previous Business Practical Knowledge Workshops and feedback from visually impaired IBF Foundation staff. However, it also proved meaningful for individuals seeking to rebuild their careers after later-life vision loss, effectively addressing a broader range of needs.
Participant Feedback
“The lecturer truly empathized with visually impaired individuals and offered practical insights. Expressing our accommodation needs clearly is difficult, but the discussion reinforced how important that is.”
“It was valuable to learn about employment expectations and challenges from an experienced HR professional.”
“The open and candid discussion about corporate realities was great, but incorporating more engagement tailored to participants’ specific issues could have enhanced the seminar.”
“Through Ms. Kaneko’s personal stories, I gained a deeper understanding of diversity and inclusion efforts in Japan and an HR perspective on disability employment—an otherwise difficult topic to access.”
Future sessions planned with diverse topics
The Empowering Visually Impaired Workers Seminar series will continue, covering different themes to support visually impaired individuals in building fulfilling careers. IBF Foundation remains committed to helping people who are blind or partially sighted to harness their strengths and participate fully in society.
