The National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision (NRTC) has released a new resource designed to support service providers working with transition-age youth who are blind or have low vision (B/LV). Titled Job Interview Training: Transition-Age Youth: Implementation Guidelines for Youth who are Blind or Have Low Vision, the guide offers practical strategies on how to use an interactive training program aimed at improving job interview skills for youth with disabilities.
The guide centers around the use of JIT-TAY with Rita Muniz and Travis Bishop, a virtual job interview platform that was developed at the University of Michigan in partnership with SIMmersion. JIT-TAY provides an immersive learning environment where users between the ages of 15 and 26 participate in mock job interviews with virtual hiring managers from a fictional company called Wondersmart. While the original program was created to support individuals on the autism spectrum, it was adapted to meet the needs of youth who are B/LV as part of an NRTC research study.
Implementation Guidelines for Youth who are Blind or Have Low Vision is tailored for vocational rehabilitation counselors, transition specialists, and other professionals supporting B/LV youth. The guide provides a comprehensive overview of the JIT-TAY platform, including program features, implementation tips, and troubleshooting advice. It also includes instructional strategies that address the unique accessibility needs of students who are B/LV and outlines how service providers can integrate the tool into their existing programming.
The guide assists service providers by addressing practical considerations like technology access and instructional pacing. In addition, the document outlines options for providing technical assistance and includes tips for supporting users as they navigate the software.
Among the many benefits of JIT-TAY are reduced anxiety about job interviews and enhanced readiness for competitive employment. In the NRTC’s study, B/LV youth participants demonstrated improved ability to describe their strengths, communicate effectively, and be honest about their abilities in an interview setting. These improvements contribute to stronger self-advocacy and increased confidence—both of which are critical for a successful transition into the workforce.
This resource is available now on the research project’s page of the NRTC website. Service providers are encouraged to explore the guide and consider how this innovative training tool can be incorporated into their work with B/LV youth.
The NRTC focuses on employment outcomes of people with blindness or low vision (B/LV), providing training, technical assistance, and resources for professionals and people with B/LV interested in employment through funding from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research grant #90RTEM0007. To learn more, visit our About page and the NTAC-BLV website.