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Accountant with visual impairment

Jun 6, 2024
6
0
Hello everyone,

I am a 33-year-old qualified accountant (Bachelor of Applied Accounting/ACCA/CPA) with experience working as an accountant companies. I have a visual impairment that limits my job options, but I can still move around independently.

I'm interested in immigrating to Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), specifically the New Brunswick Student Connection Stream. I thought of immigration to canada because i felt Canda is one of countries where people with these conditions are welcomed . A university in Moncton has offered me a one-year master's program that qualifies for the PNP.
Since I'm not currently in Canada, I'm seeking guidance on:

* Potential challenges with my plan, considering my visual impairment.

* Difficulty of settling in Moncton, relying on public transportation.

* Availability of part-time bookkeeping jobs while studying.

* Job prospects for accountants or bookkeepers after program completion.

I understand the financial implications of this decision, and I would appreciate any insights to help me navigate this process.

Thank you for your time and reading my story.

Muhammad naveed
 

armoured

VIP Member
Feb 1, 2015
17,241
8,861
Hello everyone,

I am a 33-year-old qualified accountant (Bachelor of Applied Accounting/ACCA/CPA) with experience working as an accountant companies. I have a visual impairment that limits my job options, but I can still move around independently.

I'm interested in immigrating to Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), specifically the New Brunswick Student Connection Stream. I thought of immigration to canada because i felt Canda is one of countries where people with these conditions are welcomed . A university in Moncton has offered me a one-year master's program that qualifies for the PNP.
Since I'm not currently in Canada, I'm seeking guidance on:

* Potential challenges with my plan, considering my visual impairment.

* Difficulty of settling in Moncton, relying on public transportation.
If your visual impairment is such that you can still read and work with computers without too serious limitations (with whatever technical accommodations you use), etc., then I don't see much trouble overall.

As for specifics of Moncton, it's not a big city but the largest in New Brunswick. There is public transit but likely still quite 'car-based' - like much of North America - and relatively compared to larger cities. But with a university around you can likely survive fine on foot with transit. To get more details on living in Moncton you're really going to have to look up locally-focussed sources and sites. Universities usually have fairly active social media/student sites/community sites if you search a bit.

Note that if you go the PNP route, while you're expected to initially live in the province (and they want you to stay there of course), you're not forced to live there forever. You can of course go anywhere in the province, and after a year or two, anywhere in the country. But the economy of Moncton is supposed to be not bad and housing likely cheaper than other parts of the country (but I'm not a local).
 
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canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
55,575
13,515
Very unlikely to get a part-time bookkeeping job while studying. There is no shortages of accountants in Canada plus software options for smaller businesses/individuals so if you have a good job already I would be reluctant to come to Canada. Is there a medical reason for your visual impairment? That may also be a factor. In general Canada is a very car dependent country so also may not be an ideal country to move to with a visual impairment. Your level of visual impairment may also be a factor that should be considered especially in a new country without any friends or family. Many services/equipment for the visually impaired are also not paid for by the government so without an extended benefit plan from an employer which could cover some costs (not available in all jobs) there are significant financial costs that people typically have to absorb.
 
Jun 6, 2024
6
0
If your visual impairment is such that you can still read and work with computers without too serious limitations (with whatever technical accommodations you use), etc., then I don't see much trouble overall.

As for specifics of Moncton, it's not a big city but the largest in New Brunswick. There is public transit but likely still quite 'car-based' - like much of North America - and relatively compared to larger cities. But with a university around you can likely survive fine on foot with transit. To get more details on living in Moncton you're really going to have to look up locally-focussed sources and sites. Universities usually have fairly active social media/student sites/community sites if you search a bit.

Note that if you go the PNP route, while you're expected to initially live in the province (and they want you to stay there of course), you're not forced to live there forever. You can of course go anywhere in the province, and after a year or two, anywhere in the country. But the economy of Moncton is supposed to be not bad and housing likely cheaper than other parts of the country (but I'm not a local).

Thanks Allot your insight was really helpful, Can you tag any who is from the monton so he could give some me valuable information. but is overall acceptance of the visually impaired individuals in the societly.
 
Jun 6, 2024
6
0
Very unlikely to get a part-time bookkeeping job while studying. There is no shortages of accountants in Canada plus software options for smaller businesses/individuals so if you have a good job already I would be reluctant to come to Canada. Is there a medical reason for your visual impairment? That may also be a factor. In general Canada is a very car dependent country so also may not be an ideal country to move to with a visual impairment. Your level of visual impairment may also be a factor that should be considered especially in a new country without any friends or family. Many services/equipment for the visually impaired are also not paid for by the government so without an extended benefit plan from an employer which could cover some costs (not available in all jobs) there are significant financial costs that people typically have to absorb.

Thanks, Canuck. I understand that accountants are quite abundant in Canada. I currently have a good job in Dubai, but my contract is ending later this year. This means I'll need to find another job in Dubai, and even if I succeed, I won't get permanent residency and will eventually have to return to my home country.

I have a genetic eye disorder that impairs my vision and is likely to worsen over time. I live alone in Dubai, although my wife and two children are back in my home country. This is why I'm hoping to settle in Canada. I already have a visit visa and can manage on my own for at least a few years. I wouldn't need much assistance from government services initially.

I'm concerned about the hiring culture in Canada. Whenever I mention my visual impairment to potential employers, they become hesitant. Could you provide some insight into how employers in Canada typically handle such situations?
 

Copingwithlife

VIP Member
Jul 29, 2018
4,479
2,254
Earth
Thanks, Canuck. I understand that accountants are quite abundant in Canada. I currently have a good job in Dubai, but my contract is ending later this year. This means I'll need to find another job in Dubai, and even if I succeed, I won't get permanent residency and will eventually have to return to my home country.

I have a genetic eye disorder that impairs my vision and is likely to worsen over time. I live alone in Dubai, although my wife and two children are back in my home country. This is why I'm hoping to settle in Canada. I already have a visit visa and can manage on my own for at least a few years. I wouldn't need much assistance from government services initially.

I'm concerned about the hiring culture in Canada. Whenever I mention my visual impairment to potential employers, they become hesitant. Could you provide some insight into how employers in Canada typically handle such situations?
What type of Government assistance are you referring too ?
 

Kaibigan

Champion Member
Dec 27, 2020
1,043
407
The OP got in ahead of me, but just what I thought, except the "s.s" applies to U.S.

Slug it out for a few years, then collect for life. Not a bad deal.
 

canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
55,575
13,515
Thanks, Canuck. I understand that accountants are quite abundant in Canada. I currently have a good job in Dubai, but my contract is ending later this year. This means I'll need to find another job in Dubai, and even if I succeed, I won't get permanent residency and will eventually have to return to my home country.

I have a genetic eye disorder that impairs my vision and is likely to worsen over time. I live alone in Dubai, although my wife and two children are back in my home country. This is why I'm hoping to settle in Canada. I already have a visit visa and can manage on my own for at least a few years. I wouldn't need much assistance from government services initially.

I'm concerned about the hiring culture in Canada. Whenever I mention my visual impairment to potential employers, they become hesitant. Could you provide some insight into how employers in Canada typically handle such situations?
The fact that you have a genetic condition could also lead to denial on medical reasons if there is a concern you may no longer be able to work. Although Canada is more accepting of disabilities than other countries there is still a high unemployment rate for disabled people. Disability does not at much so not really something I would count on. Does your wife work. In general it is difficult to live off of one income in Canada but living off of disability as a family is extremely difficult and most will rely on charity just for basics like food.
 
Jun 6, 2024
6
0
The fact that you have a genetic condition could also lead to denial on medical reasons if there is a concern you may no longer be able to work. Although Canada is more accepting of disabilities than other countries there is still a high unemployment rate for disabled people. Disability does not at much so not really something I would count on. Does your wife work. In general it is difficult to live off of one income in Canada but living off of disability as a family is extremely difficult and most will rely on charity just for basics like food.
Yes she also works she is a teacher in home country at college level but for her to attain job in Canada would also require her to do some local courses but immigrating to canada is really expensive so i'm wondering is it really worth it
 

Kaibigan

Champion Member
Dec 27, 2020
1,043
407
The fact that you have a genetic condition could also lead to denial on medical reasons if there is a concern you may no longer be able to work. Although Canada is more accepting of disabilities than other countries there is still a high unemployment rate for disabled people. Disability does not at much so not really something I would count on. Does your wife work. In general it is difficult to live off of one income in Canada but living off of disability as a family is extremely difficult and most will rely on charity just for basics like food.
You are right about off of that, but then, there are some who have become masters of playing the game.

I know one fellow, now in his 50s, who, for more than 30 years, has lived on a BC persons with disabilities pension. He's not supposed to leave BC for more than 30 days in a row. But, every year, for 6 months, he travels the world. When home, he grows and sells pot, paints houses, lots of jobs. Lives on his boat, or with a GF (women love him, for some reason). Not disabled at all, except to demonstrate that he does not do well with book learning. He laughs at us working fools.
 

Copingwithlife

VIP Member
Jul 29, 2018
4,479
2,254
Earth
Hello everyone,

I am a 33-year-old qualified accountant (Bachelor of Applied Accounting/ACCA/CPA) with experience working as an accountant companies. I have a visual impairment that limits my job options, but I can still move around independently.

I'm interested in immigrating to Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), specifically the New Brunswick Student Connection Stream. I thought of immigration to canada because i felt Canda is one of countries where people with these conditions are welcomed . A university in Moncton has offered me a one-year master's program that qualifies for the PNP.
Since I'm not currently in Canada, I'm seeking guidance on:

* Potential challenges with my plan, considering my visual impairment.

* Difficulty of settling in Moncton, relying on public transportation.

* Availability of part-time bookkeeping jobs while studying.

* Job prospects for accountants or bookkeepers after program completion.

I understand the financial implications of this decision, and I would appreciate any insights to help me navigate this process.

Thank you for your time and reading my story.

Muhammad naveed
You do realize many people in Canada with disabilities live in poverty ?