Working Without Sight: Christian’s Story at TLT-Turbo

Christian, would you like to briefly introduce yourself - how long have you been with TLT-Turbo, and which department do you work in?
I’m 49 years old and live in Dortmund with my partner and our two young children (4.5 years and 12 weeks old). We live in our own house, which we purchased and fully renovated from the ground up.
I’ve been with TLT-Turbo since 1999. After two years in Finance, I moved to the HR department in 2001 and have been working fully remotely since 2020.
I was born completely blind, though I still had a small amount of residual vision for about 30 years. My partner is also blind. Our older daughter is sighted, and the chances are very good that our baby will be, too - but she’s still too young to know for certain.

How did you initially come to join TLT-Turbo?
I joined TLT-Turbo thanks to my mother and a former colleague. My mother worked here herself - also in the HR department - and remained with the company until she retired. She was the one who brought me into TLT-Turbo.

You are visually impaired - can you share how this affects your everyday life?
In my private life, I miss certain visual cues - especially in day-to-day life with my daughters. That’s why I use parental assistance, for example, to recognize rashes, small injuries, or changes in their skin. She is essentially our "eyes." She also helps when we’re out and about, such as during doctor’s visits.
At home, we use devices that operate acoustically or have tactile markings so we can navigate them independently.
I use a white cane when I’m out, and rely on accessibility in public spaces and at traffic lights. My partner is also visually impaired, so we both depend on this support. The assistant also helps us recognize what our kids put in their mouths or if something has fallen on the floor.

What tools or assistive technologies do you use to manage your workday?
I work with specialized hardware and software - most importantly the JAWS screen reader, a regular keyboard, and a Braille display. The display uses electronic pins to form tactile Braille characters, which I can read with my fingers. With these tools, I can handle my entire workday.

What does a typical workday look like for you? Which tasks do you particularly enjoy?
I usually start around 9:30 a.m., organize my emails, check my meetings, and join our short daily team call (about 15 minutes). After that, I work through my tasks.
I especially enjoy working with spreadsheets - for example, fluctuation reports or personnel data - and handling anything related to time tracking.

Are there tasks that are especially challenging due to your visual impairment - and how do you manage them?
Yes, absolutely. Tasks that rely heavily on visual structure are particularly challenging - for example, checking whether a document is properly indented or whether columns are cut off at the edge.
When working on a Word document, I can’t see whether the layout is visually correct.
Presentations and training sessions are also difficult to follow, since I can’t read slides or graphics. Many PDFs are hard to access, even with OCR, and PowerPoint visuals are usually not screen-reader friendly.
To give a comparison: While a sighted colleague can take in several lines or half a screen at once, I have to read line by line - which takes significantly more time.

How do you experience collaboration within your team - are there things you particularly appreciate?
Absolutely. I feel very comfortable in the team - we have great collaboration, everyone has a positive mindset, and we support each other. There’s nothing to complain about.

Are there moments when you’ve felt especially proud of your team or your work?
I’m generally proud of our team - especially of the way we support one another and stick together.

How does TLT-Turbo support you in your daily work - for example through assistive technology, flexible work arrangements, or open communication?
The flexible work arrangements work very well - I can adjust my working hours individually. I handle the procurement of my assistive devices myself, since I know exactly what I need and I don’t work on-site in Zweibrücken but in Dortmund. Communication with my supervisor and the team is always open and constructive.

What additional improvements could further enhance accessibility and inclusion within the company?
There will always be barriers for someone with a visual impairment - especially with the rapid pace of technological development.
At the moment, I work reduced hours due to my family situation. In the long run, I would be happy to take on more tasks again and get more involved - possibly even in areas beyond HR.
In general, I see a lot of potential in employing people with disabilities: Inclusion can be strengthened when companies openly evaluate where additional support may be helpful.

What advice would you give to other people with disabilities who are considering applying to TLT-Turbo or to the industrial sector in general?
Inclusion is a widely discussed topic in society. In theory, it often sounds wonderfully simple, but in practice things look quite different. Blind people are often seen as “slower,” and because of that, they are frequently overlooked during the application process.
As a blind person, you have to be better than your sighted peers just to get a chance - many others with disabilities say the same. I recommend addressing this openly during the interview: A company must be willing to invest the necessary extra time in a person with a disability. Otherwise, the interview is simply a waste of time for both sides and ends in frustration.
Some industries still have a long way to go when it comes to inclusion. That’s why it’s even more valuable when companies actively show that diversity is welcome - just as I’ve experienced at TLT-Turbo.

What does the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities” mean to you personally?
Honestly, I didn’t know about the day before. But I think it is very important, because awareness for people with disabilities is lacking in many areas. Even for me, it wasn’t really on my radar.
It’s good that this day exists, but it needs to be much more visible: in newspapers, on the radio, or with a short segment on the evening news. This year, I will pay close attention to how the media and society acknowledge this day.

How can companies and colleagues in general create more awareness for people with disabilities?
This interview is a good start. I appreciate being asked to share insights from both my professional and personal life.
I don’t expect much from my colleagues. I myself, for example, couldn’t imagine what it feels like to be deaf. But especially in the stress of everyday work, it is important to give people with disabilities more space and, above all, more time. Unfortunately, that often gets lost.

Is there a message you would like to share with your colleagues or with others who are affected?
I want to encourage everyone: Shape your life the way you want - with all the challenges that come with it. I cross the street with my child just like anyone else, take them to swimming lessons or to gymnastics.
Of course, we run into limitations. For example, when we have to pick up our child from kindergarten in the rain and can’t find anyone who can drive us. Very few people take the time to help.
What matters is: Don’t get discouraged. People with disabilities don’t want to beg or be pitied, but sometimes they do rely on help.
And for anyone who wants to help: If you see a blind person who seems stuck, for example at a train station, always ask first and never grab them without permission. If help is wanted, that’s great - and if not, simply accept it. Wanting to help is always the right instinct - whether someone is blind or uses a wheelchair. Have the courage to offer support.