Blind and Low Vision: Reading and Resources Questions \"A\": Definitions, Statis

Question

Blind and Low Vision: Reading and Resources

Questions "A": Definitions, Statistics, and Perspectives

Introduction to Questions "A"  

What is "Blind?" Who is "Blind?" The definitions of blindness can be viewed from multiple perspectives. Social security programs use specific medical criteria to determine benefits, and rehabilitation services use combinations of medical, psychosocial, and functional limitations for service provision. Historically and sociologically, perspectives and definitions of blindness have changed.  The readings and web resources in this section will provide you with a basic understanding of blindness and low vision using medical resources, government services and eligibility criteria, and reflections from two persons active in the organized Blind movement.

Instructions - read the following. Clearly label all responses to questions and submit assignment as one document.

There are four questions for this section. The questions use Internet resources. Please plan on spending a significant amount of time becoming familiar with the information in these resources. All responses are to be written in essay format and submitted as indicated as below. Essay responses should be a minimum of 150 words for each question response. There is no maximum wordcount but please be concise. If your responses contain the minimum required words, please make certain that you addressed all portions of the question. The majority of your response needs to be in your own words but also integrate specific information from the assigned material. Quotation marks are required and a citation when providing information directly from the source (page number and source). Use the word count in the Tools in MS word to check your response. Please include specific information as directed from the text or web readings. Submit using .rtf, .docx or .doc extensions only. Late policy applies.

Questions - 10 points each; please follow instructions above

Question A1

We will begin with some basic definitions and statistics. Take your time and review the information provided in the following websites below regarding blindness and low vision (the terminology commonly used in these resources). Summarize what you found most helpful to learn from this information. You may include statistical, medical, education, social information on any combination thereof. All links have been checked; you can do a search or cut and paste the link in your browser as well for the web addresses if you are unable to open them by clicking on them here. Discuss EACH resource below.

Review the information on the following websites and the article for Question A1

National Eye Institute Health Information Diseases and Disorders
http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/

American Foundation for the Blind: What You Need to Know About Low Vision
http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=44&TopicID=189&DocumentID=1757

Blindness Statistics
http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=15

Key Definitions of Statistical Terms
http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=15&DocumentID=1280

How Blind Victorians Campaigned for Inclusive Education

          How Blind Victorians Campaigned for Inclusive Education article.pdf

Question A2

Now that you have explored some definitions and statistics regarding blindness and low vision, let's examine what leaders in the empowerment movement say about "who is Blind" and "what is Blind." Read the article "Who is Blind" and the chapters indicated below from Freedom for the Blind . Both are located in the content area of your course site. Following your review, discuss how these writings affected your views of what blindness is and how they may help others to perceive blindness differently.

"Who is Blind" in in the Content area under assignment questions A and a quick link here: Who is Blind

Freedom for the Blind is in the Content area in a separate link and a quick link to the course file here: Freedom for the Blind

Read for Question A2

Chapters 1 & 2, pages 5-17in Freedom for the Blind, by Jim Omvig. Find this in the Content Area of your course "Freedom for the Blind".

Bio of author: "Mr. Omvig began his career in 1966 as the first blind attorney employed by the National Labor Relations Board, where he served until 1969. He then served as the Director of the Iowa Commission for the Blind's Adult Orientation and Adjustment Center from 1969 to 1978, and as the Director of the Handicapped Employment Program in the Social Security Administration's Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity from 1978 to 1984. In 1984, Mr. Omvig became the Director of the Alaska Center for Blind and Deaf Adults, where he served until his retirement in 1987."

"Who is Blind?" by Dr. Kenneth Jernigan. Go to the link for this assignment in the content area. You will find "Who Is Blind" as a PDF file under questions A.

Bio of author: "Dr. Kenneth Jernigan was a leader in the National Federation for the Blind for more than forty years. He was President from 1968 to 1977 and from 1978 to July 1986. Although Dr. Jernigan was no longer President of the Federation, he continued to be one of its principal leaders. He worked closely with the next President and he continued to be loved and respected by tens of thousands--members and non-members of the Federation, both blind and sighted."

Question A3

Next, we will review public services for Blind and low vision. These are the primary governmental programs used for assistance and training. It is important information to understand. Although other options exist, the programs listed below are most commonly used. Please spend time exploring these websites. Then critique and summarize what information you found helpful, the ease of navigation of the sites, what you found interesting, and any cases that you may be familiar with that would apply to these services. Discuss each resource in your response and be certain to identify which one you are discussing.

Review the following websites for Question A3

Social Security Disability Programs
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/

If You Are Blind Or Have Low Vision - How We Can Help (Electronic Book)
www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10052.pdf

Rehabilitation Services Administration (search using word "Blind")
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/about.html

State of Minnesota Vocational Rehabilitation Services - Blind
Job Seekers - Blind services

Question A4

Finally, we will examine the views of Jim Omvig in Freedom for the Blind on current services and the need for a separate, "independent" agency for the blind. In addition, you will read about a historical law suit brought by persons who are blind against the Social Security administration. This is an older article but it is helpful to learn about the advocacy efforts in the Blind community. When you have completed your readings, similar to question #2 above, explain what you have learned, how your views may have changed, and what information would be helpful for persons who are Blind and/or working with Blind services. Refer specifically to the readings below.

Read for Question A4

Blind Beneficiaries Sue Social Security Administration -- SSA Fails to Provide Accessibly Communications Disability Rights and Education Fund

http://www.dredf.org/press/ssa.html

Explanation / Answer

Before we can talk intelligently about the problems of blindness or the potentialities of blind people, we must have a workable definition of blindness. Most of us are likely familiar with the generally accepted legal definition: visual acuity of not greater than 20/200 in the better eye with correction or a field not subtending an angle greater than 20 degrees. But this is not really a satisfactory definition. It is, rather, a way of recognizing in medical and measurable terms something which must be defined not medically or physically but functionally.

Putting to one side for a moment the medical terminology, what is blindness? Once I asked a group of high school students this question, and one of them replied, apparently believing that he was making a rather obvious statement, that a person is blind if he ":can't see." When the laughter subsided, I asked the student if he really meant what he said. He replied that he did. I then asked him whether he would consider a person blind who could see light but who could not see objects, a person who would bump into things unless he used a cane, a dog or some other travel aid and who would, if he depended solely on the use of his eyesight, walk directly into a telephone pole or fire plug. After some little hesitation the student said that he would consider such a person to be blind. I agreed with him and then went on to point out the obvious, that he literally did not mean that the definition of blindness was to be unable to see.

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