Myths and Facts About Blindness

Myths and Facts About Blindness

Future Reflections January/February 1983, Vol. 2 No. 1
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Myths and Facts... about blindness
In the July "Myths & Facts ..." feature, we printed
an excerpt from Dr. Jernigan's article, "A Definition
of Blindness." We then promised to follow that in the
Oct/Nov issue with some more discussion about
myths and facts relating to partial vision. We did not
have space in the Oct/Nov issue to do that, so we are
doing it in this issue. We do suggest that you read, or
re-read, the "Definition of Blindness" from the July
issue. If you do not have that issue, you may order it
at no cost, by writing to:
Barbara Cheadle, Editor
Future Reflections
Box 552

Jefferson City, MO 65102
MYTH:
If my child has some usable sight, he should
certainly rely on that sight at every opportunity. If we expect him to use Braille or other blind
techniques, we are making him blind when he really isn't.
FACT:
The methods your child uses in school and in life do not change his physical characteristics. If his vision is, say 20/200, it will be 20/200 regardless of whether he reads print or Braille.
What is affected by methods, though, is his achievement and cempetence. Let's say he can read 100 words per minute in large print, and could learn
to read several hundred words per minute in Braille
(a common situation). The choice is not, "Will he be
more blind or less blind?" The choice is, "Will he be
able to achieve more things, more easily, by using
efficient techniques -- or will he be severely limited
by trying to use sight when it is inadequate?" Or,
putting it another way, "Will he be a capable blind
person or a not-so-capable blind person?"
He is not any "less blind" if he struggles to use sighted techniques which are not suitable for him. Of
course, the use of vision should be encouraged where
it is efficient and appropriate to do so.
MYTH:
Only those who are totally blind can receive services
from agencies and teachers for the blind.
FACT:
Anyone who has real difficulty using vision to
perform the activities of daily life is probably eligible
for such services. Inquire of your local agencies, and
ask the National Federation of the Blind for help in
resolving any problems of eligibility.
MYTH:
When a child with some sight hears the word "blind"
applied to her, she will certainly be discouraged and
frightened. Therefore we should avoid using the
word "blind" and instead use a term such as
"visually impaired."
FACT:
In the first place, a child views blindness in the way
in which she has been taught and shown examples.
If the youngster has met competent and personable
blind people; and if the word "blind" is used in a
matter-of-fact way, as though describing height or
any other characteristic, then she will probably not
find the term upsetting. If, on the other hand, there
are no competent persons on the scene who really
rely on blind techniques; and adults go to great
lengths to avoid using the word "blind", then the
youngsters will learn that there is much fear and
shame associated with blindness.
Indeed, the youngster may actually be reassured to
be regarded as "blind". This helps her to realize that
she is not expected to rely on her sight when it is
inadequate. It frees her to learn and develop
alternative techniques not based on sight.
MYTH:
If the rules don't say that you have to be totally blind
to receive services from an agency for the blind, then
they at least say that your vision must be 20/200 or
less.
FACT:
The visual acuity figure 20/200 is indeed a part of the
definition of legal blindness in regards to eligibility
for some services. However, the full phrasing of that
definition also includes persons with a severely
restricted field of vision. Again, in practice, agencies
are generally able to serve all those who have real
difficulty using vision to perform the activities of
daily life, as well as those who are losing vision and
soon will have such difficulty.