A long-term study followed 80 young people with vision impairment from the ages of 14 to 16 until they reached 25 to 27. Despite performing well academically compared to other groups with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), these individuals faced persistently low employment rates and were particularly at risk of becoming economically inactive. Many had initially hoped to pursue careers in social work, teaching, or psychology, but by the end of the study, few had secured paid jobs. The research highlighted several barriers specific to vision impairment, such as inconsistent support depending on location, poor preparation for adult life, limited access to assistive technology in workplaces, and a lack of skills for independent travel. Many participants also struggled with confidence in disclosing their disability and requesting necessary workplace adjustments. Participants described an inaccessible job market, where application systems and assessment processes were heavily visual and incompatible with their assistive technology. They also noted that HR teams and managers often lacked knowledge about making reasonable adjustments required by the Equality Act. One participant reported encountering accessibility issues with about a third of the 50 graduate programs he applied to, citing online tests that were not compatible with speech software. After completing their education, those seeking employment assistance from Jobcentre Plus faced discouragement from work coaches, some of whom believed it was "impossible" for someone with a vision impairment to find a job. Those who did find work encountered delays and errors when applying for Access to Work, a government-funded program that helps pay for specialist equipment and support for disabled workers. Recent data showed that processing times for Access to Work applications exceeded 100 days, far beyond the 25-day target. A government-commissioned review by former member of Parliament Alan Milburn described the increasing number of young adults becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training) as "an urgent national crisis." Milburn found that many young people are becoming detached from the labor market, with large numbers becoming economically inactive, raising concerns about broader social and economic consequences. The study recommends that the government formally recognize the Royal National Institute of Blind People's curriculum framework for children and young people with vision impairment. This framework outlines the support needed to ensure their educational and social inclusion and to help them leave education as independent as possible.