Presented by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) are background information and a policy statement on the employment of blind and otherwise visually impaired persons. Briefly traced are the former graditional employment of blind persons in sheltered facilities and in occupations such as piano tuning; the emergence of the blind as an effective labor force during World War II; and subsequent enlargement of employment opportunities (largely resulting from veterans' blindness) through governmental action such as the 1954 Vocational Rehabilitation Act. The stated AFB policy recognizes the progress made in empolyment opportunities and proposes that institutions of higher learning and other training facilities offer the visually handicapped the same opportunities offered other students for learning, preparing for a career and meeting performance standards. In addition, the statement maintains that any attempt by statute, regulation, or practice to bar a visually handicapped person from employment due to visual loss is arbitrary, discriminating, and inharmonious with the current social concept of equal opportunity. (MC)