Could a vision impaired student have a career as an ornithologist?

[Guest Mysie Sabin]

I am the aide for a student who loves birds and has always wanted to be an ornithologist. We have been researching for career days and are finding that a lot of the data collection and skills involved are going to rely heavily on visual input. 

 

From people who are in the field, is this occupation an option for my student, or is it something that we should start moving towards a lifetime hobby and looking for other ways to earn an income?