I agree. Go for the highest you can conceivably get. Braille readers are rare these days, and the demand is higher, so you can easily get a higher wage for that skill. Combine that with computer skills and you have a 1 - 2 punch.

As a computer specialist myself, I have been able to earn upwards of $65 an hour (privately). considering the almost 30 years of "in the field" experience I bring to the table, I would expect no less from an employer Even at 48 years old, I still have the ability to learn new tasks at nearly the same rate as a 20 year old. THis I see as an advantage that no employer should do without. If they don't hire me, then they are losing out (and costing themselves more money by having to train someone new to the job).

Anyway, thats my 2 cents worth.

-eric

On Nov 5, 2013, at 12:15 PM, Colin McDonald wrote:

> that is pretty ambiguous.
> is it a not for proffit organization?  if so, then monitary reimbursment 
> will be low.
> If you are working as a contracter, or consultant, then you can charge what 
> anyone in that field would charge probably $30 an hour for your skill set.
> Likely a not for proffit, so your more than probably looking at minimum 
> wage, or slightly higher due to their low operating budget.
> It has nothing to do with being blind, forget about being blind.  Ask for 
> what you think your computer skills, and proof reading skills, and braille 
> reading skills are worth to an employer.
> These are pretty specific skill sets that are not easy to find for an 
> employer.
> Don't low ball because some employers will think you don't value your skills 
> and abilities and are therefore less compitent.  Always shoot high because 
> that gives the employer room to negociate and it insures you will get what 
> you can from them as far as pay.
> They will have a range in mind.  What they will offer you will be based on 
> experience, knowledge skills and abilities and your ability to perform the 
> tasks and duties required in the job.
> If you feel confident that you can perform the tasks and duties fully and 
> with your braille reading experience and computer experience, you should 
> probably be at the top of that range.
> People that do similar jobs around here make between 22 and 28 bucks an hour 
> working for an organization.  As a private consulant or contracter, 30 an 
> hour is the minimum starting point and typically goes up from there 
> depending on the complexity of the work and other factors.
> That might sound high, but if you think about it, when you hire or employ a 
> person with very specific skill sets, you have to pay for those skills more 
> so than someone who has general skills or common skills.  When you have a 
> plummer come in to fix your dripping tap, does he charge 10 bucks an hour, I 
> don't think so.  Does he charge 50, more likely more than that even...and it 
> is accepted by most people because of the specialized knowledge and skill 
> set he brings.
> Reading braille, using braille translation software and other adaptive tech 
> is a pretty specific skill set that you bring to the table.  Make sure you 
> value that and get appropriately compensated for it.
> 
> Regards
> Colin
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Mark WZ0K" <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2013 11:56 AM
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Wages for Blind Employees
> 
>> Hi
>>   I am just wondering, since I am going in for an interview soon, what =
>> types of wages can I expect? The organization translates phone bills and =
>> other documents in to brail for blind people. They are looking mainly =
>> for a proof reader, as well as, someone with computer skills. I am =
>> excited about this opportunity, but it is hard to know what they might =
>> offer in monitory reimbursement.
>>   Any information, or insights are appreciated.=20
>> 
>> God bless,
>> Mark