The Dot Experience Cast: Khadija Bari

Khadija Bari is intentional, innovative, intelligent, and dedicated to ensuring that the people around her take full advantage of every opportunity presented to them.  

Early Life and Vision Loss 

Khadija, originally from Pakistan, was around the age of seven and living in Saudi Arabi when her second-grade teachers notified her parents that there was something concerning about Khadija’s vision. She was missing assignments and struggling to read the classroom board. After visiting a few eye doctors, she was prescribed glasses, but her vision continued to degenerate quickly.  

“I went from being able to read small text in a textbook to not being able to even see that textbook anymore in a matter of two years,” said Khadija. Her vision continued to degenerate until the age of 15, when she no longer maintained any of her central or peripheral vision. “I didn’t actually know about my official legal blindness diagnosis until the age of almost 23 when I moved to the U.S.,” said Khadija.  

Khadija had been misdiagnosed with conditions like Macular Dystrophy and RP (Retinitis Pigmentosa), but upon moving to the United States, she received her official diagnosis of Stargardt Disease. “After I came here a family member said, ‘Oh the government provides services to people with disabilities here, maybe you should look into it.’ So, I googled it, found The Lighthouse in New York, and went to them,” said Khadija. “They asked if I was legally blind, and I said, ‘I don’t know what that means.’” 

Two months after her arrival in New York, Khadija was able to receive genetic testing and resources to understand the cause of her vision loss, thanks to The Lighthouse’s resources and funds from private donors. 

Higher Education and Career 

Khadija moved to the United States at the age of 22 with her mother and younger brother. Arriving in the U.S. with a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics and no work experience, she determined the next best step was to enroll in a master’s program before entering an unfamiliar workforce. She pursued as many internships and volunteer opportunities as she could find.  

As she finished her degree, she began searching for a full-time position, which is when she heard about VISIONS – Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. At the time, they were launching a new program for college students and needed someone to create, manage, and run it. “I thought, let me just do this for a year or something and I’ll keep pursuing other job opportunities more in line with what I what to do. And then, I fell in love,” said Khadija. 

Over the past 8 years, the program she helped launch has grown to become a job she passionately dedicates herself to daily. Khadija is the current Director of Job Placement Services at VISIONS, where she and her team meet with students and young adults who are blind or low vision and are looking to enter the workforce. As someone who worked to find internships, job openings, and opportunities for a blind woman entering a competitive field, Khadija understands just how important it is for students to have access to the resources that VISIONS can provide. “I didn’t know about any of those things. I wish I had me when I was younger! It makes me even more passionate to tell my participants, ‘These are all the things you have a right to. These are services that you have a right to.’,” said Khadija.  

Khadija finds that she works with a lot of students who set low expectations for themselves, who believe that because of their disability their options are fewer. As someone who spent the first 22 years of her life undiagnosed without meeting another person who is blind, she understands the stigma these young adults surround themselves with. It makes her all the more passionate to ensure they understand their ability to live a successful, fulfilling, and independent life.  

“At the end of the day, having a degree is great. Right now, it’s the bare minimum,” said Khadija. “You can do jobs. You can go on vacation. You can have a family. Those were things I never dreamt for myself until I came here. And it’s like suddenly things were in front of me, and I wanted to grab it all.” 

Looking Forward 

Khadija currently serves as the board chair at Disability Belongs, a national disability advocacy organization, and is a coveted member of the APH Career Connect Advisory Board. APH is thrilled to have Khadija as a member of The Dot Experience Cast, as there is no doubt she will continue to use her position as an opportunity to provide resources and promote inclusion everywhere she goes.