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The study (n = 261) focused on employment chances of Swedish visually impaired persons aged 25-45 years at the onset of their visual impairment, and who were employed at that time. It concerned persons who became visually impaired after 1974, the year when the Act on Security of Employment was passed. Although the Act has had an impact on employment opportunities, it is, however, no guarantee per se. Factors in the work environment accounted for improved chances of keeping the pre-disability employment. Individual factors were decisive in a person's chances of obtaining new employment. The least competitive groups of visually impaired were, in spite of the law, 'eliminated' from the labour market.

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This article presents a research program which examined the employment conditions of Swedish visually impaired persons, aged 25–45 at the onset of their visual impairment, who were employed at that time. A conceptual framework, through which the adaptive process necessary for the visually impaired individual to make, is addressed. The return to work did not necessarily mean that the person had been truly rehabilitated, since many of these workers were underemployed. Major qualitative changes of job characteristics also impacted dramatically on the workers.

In a long-term study of 14 visually impaired adults, 11 of whom had diabetes, the concept of “the short life”—a limited life span—emerged as a prevalent theme. It was found to be important for understanding the changing priorities, adaptive strategies, and general life planning of the participants, many of whose lives were marked by gradually deteriorating health and aggravated disabilities.