Disability Services & Resources

About Visual Impairments

There are approximately 12 million blind and visually impaired people in the United States. Some blind people may not have any useable vision or their vision may be extremely limited (light, color or shadow perception only). Only two percent of people with vision impairments are totally blind; most blind people have some amount of usable vision. What they all have in common is a bilateral visual impairment that makes it more difficult to do major life activities and cannot be adequately corrected by medical or surgical intervention, therapy, conventional eyewear or contact lenses.

Blindness may be defined in several ways. A person is considered "Legally blind" if their best corrected visual acuity is 20/200 or less. This means that, at best, the person can see an object from a distance of 20 feet that a person with "normal" (20/20) vision can see from a distance of 200 feet. A person is also considered legally blind if their visual field - everything seen while looking straight ahead, including peripheral (side) and central (straight ahead) vision - is 20 degrees or less. The typical human visual field is 180 degrees. Some individuals, while not legally blind, may need some type of accommodation due to other eye conditions that prevent them from reading print for extended periods of time.

Considerations when working with students who have visual impairments

Some students with vision loss use canes or dog guides for mobility purposes; however, many navigate without them.

When talking with or greeting a person with a visual impairment, speak in a normal voice; most people with visual impairments are not Hard-of-Hearing.

When entering a room, identify yourself to the individual. Use the person's name when directing the conversation to him or her.

When giving directions, use terms such as "left," "right," "step up" or "step down." Give direction from the individual's perspective.

When guiding a person with a visual impairment, offer your arm and let the person take it; rather than pulling, pushing or otherwise trying to steer the individual.

Do not pet or otherwise distract a working dog guide.

Helpful strategies for students with visual impairments

• Prepare early. Whenever possible, plan your courses at least one term in advance. This will make it easier to arrange accommodations, such as alternate formats for textbooks and course handouts.
• Register with appropriate agencies and services. If you have not already done so, become a member of Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) and apply for services from State Services for the Blind. See the resources section below for contact information.
• Keep in contact with faculty and Disability Services (DS) staff. Before the term begins, or early in the term, talk with your professors about the accommodations you will need, including how and where you will take exams. At that time, you should present a letter from your DS specialist that outlines your accommodations. Maintain communication with your DS specialist so she or he can assist in arranging academic accommodations when needed.
• Get oriented to campus. Due to the interconnected buildings, some students find it helpful to enlist the assistance of the Lighthouse for the Blindi to assist with mobility orientation. This is usually arranged through your State Services for the Blind counselor. For additional assistance during the school year check with your DS&R counselor.

Selected resources for students with visual impairments

Blind Student Tuition Waiver
Legally blind residents of the state of Minnesota, as defined by the University, may receive a waiver for tuition for credit-bearing classes that apply toward a degree. In order to be reviewed for eligibility, you must provide documentation of legal blindness to the Office of the Registrar. Please contact the registrar or your DS&R counselor for more info.

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)
This service provides taped materials to a general audience, such as popular books, magazines, newspapers, etc. In addition, NLS loans equipment to people who are unable to access print for their use in playing specialized tapes produced by the major taping services. For information on NLS holdings, services, or equipment, contact the nearest area library, which is in Faribault, Minnesota, at 800-722-0550.

Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D)
This service provides taped versions of books and reference materials for school or work use and has a huge library of available books. If books aren't already on tape, you may send them to RFB&D to be recorded. There is an initial fee to register, which you may be able to have paid by DS&R, but tapes are loaned free for up to one year. Contact RFB&D at 866-732-3585 or view their Web site at www.rfbd.org. You may also contact your DS&R counselor for more information about this service.

State Services for the Blind (SSB)/Communications Center (CC)
SSB is a state rehabilitation agency for Minnesota residents who are blind or visually impaired. Services are designed to help in training for a job, getting a job or keeping one, or in getting equipment that would help in school or work. Call 651-642-0500 for more information. The Communication Center (CC) is the component of SSB that provides taped and braille materials for school or work use. To find out more about how to use the CC, contact your DS&R counselor or the CC directly at 651-642-0500.

Blind, Inc., and Vision Loss Resources
These separate local agencies each provide such skills training as braille instruction, travel training, adaptive equipment skills, and independent living skills. Each organization works with people to tailor a plan to meet individual needs. To find out more about their services, call them directly or call your SSB counselor if you have one. Blind, Inc., can be reached at 612-872-0100. Vision Loss Resources (VLR) can be reached at 612-871-2222.

Sunday, 15-Jun-2008 15:24:37 CDT