Do You Know A Blind Person
Contents
- Do You Know A Blind Person
- Library
- Social Security Benefits
- Rehabilitation
- Employment
- Scholarships
- Civil Rights
- Products and Aids
- Free Reading Matter Mail Privilege
- Publications
- Education of Blind Children
- Contact Information
- Courtesy Rules of Blindness
Do you know a blind person
Do you know a blind person who needs help or information? Perhaps he or she is newly blinded and having trouble adjusting to the loss of sight. Maybe he or she does not know about all the services that are available, such as Social Security benefits, rehabilitation, or library services.
Whoever it is a newly blinded man or woman, a senior citizen with filing eyesight, a blind child or infant - we (the National Federation of the Blind) would like to try to help.
About 500,000 people in the U.S. are blind, and each year 50,000 more will become blind. Studies have shown that only cancer is feared more than blindness. However, blindness does not need to be the tragedy which it is generally thought to be. With proper training, knowledge, and opportunities blind people can be productive, first class citizens.
But first the blind individual must know where and how to get the training and services he or she needs. we you and the National Federation of the Blind can work together to find and provide necessary information to the blind in our communities.
Here are some of the services available to the blind in our communities. For more specific information about any of these services, please contact us.
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Library
Our state, like every state, has free library services for the legally blind. Books and magazines are available (on loan and free of charge) in Braille, large print, and on cassette and records. Special cassette machines and record players to use in listening to the taped or recorded reading matter are also loaned without cost to blind library users. For details about where and how to apply for services in your area you may contact us or your local library.
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Social Security Benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Legally blind persons who have paid into the Social Security system may be eligible for SSDI under the special rules which apply to the blind. Legally blind senior citizens considering early retirement should first learn if they might qualify for more benefits under SSDI. Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Blind persons who have little or no regular income or savings may qualify for monthly payment under the SSI program. Again, there are special rules which apply only to the blind. Contact your local Social Security office for information and applications. We also encourage blind persons to contact us if they have any problems understanding the regulations, feel they have been unjustly denied benefits, or have other problems about which we may be able to provide information and guidance.
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Rehabilitation
Every state, including this one has a public rehabilitation or vocational rehabilitation agency which provides training, counseling, and employment placement services to the blind. Sometimes the service is provided directly, and sometimes it is contracted out to private rehabilitation facilities. Some funds through the rehabilitation agency are usually available to students for college education or other post secondary training. Contact us for information about where to apply for services in your area.
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Employment
Blind persons may use the regular public and private employment agencies just like anyone else. However because of widespread misconceptions about the abilities of the blind, special employment services are extremely helpful. Job Opportunities for the Blind (JOB) is a special nationwide job listing and referral service sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor. JOB uses recorded materials, computers, and volunteers to help blind people find competitive employment. there is no charge for this service. To apply for services write to: JOB, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230; or call (toll free) (800) 638-7518.
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Scholarships
Blind students can take advantage of the same scholarship programs that are available to sighted students and should be encouraged to do so. However, there are also scholarships which are only available to blind students. The National federation of the Blind, for example, awards over $70,000 a year in scholarships to worthy blind students. Contact us for further details about these and other special scholarship for the blind.
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Civil Rights
There are federal and state laws and regulations which protect the civil rights of the blind in such areas as employment, education, housing, insurance, public transportation, and public facilities. If you know of someone who thinks he or she has been unjustly treated or discriminated against just because of blindness, please contact us. We will try to help.
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Products and Aids
Technology has made many useful products available to the blind. Some aids make daily life easier (example, the Braille watch) while others have opened up more employment opportunities for the blind (example, talking computers). Contact us for more information about local and national resources regarding products for the blind.
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Free Reading Matter Mail Privilege
Recorded, Braille, and large print reading matter (including library books and magazines) may be mailed to and from blind persons free of charge if "Free Matter for the Blind" is written or stamped on the envelope or package. Braille watches, white canes, and other special appliances for the blind are included in the privilege. we will be happy to answer questions about the Free Reading Matter mail privilege.
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Publications
The Braille Monitor is a monthly magazine published by the National Federation of the Blind in Braille, in print, on cassette, and on disc. The Braille Monitor keeps blind and interested sighted readers informed about issues, news, and events which have special significance to the blind. A free subscription is available by writing to: Braille Monitor, National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230 (be sure to designate whether the Monitor is desired in print, on cassette, Braille, or on disc). for information about local newsletters of special interest to the blind contact us.
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Education of Blind Children
The passage of Public Law 94-142, the Education of All Handicapped Children Act, established certain rights and protections for blind children and their parents. Blind children are now entitled to a free public education in the "least restrictive environment," and parents have the right to help plan their child's educational program. Contact us for more information about the education of blind children, parent organizations, newsletters, etc. Also, the national Federation of the Blind publishes a magazine for parents of blind children. This publication provides information and insights into all aspects of raising blind children from infancy to adulthood. A free subscription is available to parents or other interested persons by writing to: Future Reflections, National Federation of the Blind, free Subscription Request, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD 21230.
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Contact Info
For information or assistance concerning any problem dealing with blindness contact your local chapter or state affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind or:
National Federation of the Blind
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
(410) 659-9314
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Courtesy Rules of Blindness
When you meet me don't be ill ate ease. It will help both of us if you remember these simple points of courtesy:
1. I'm an ordinary person, just blind. You don't need to raise your voice or address me as if I were a child. Don't ask my spouse what I want-"Cream in the coffee?"-ask me.
2. If I am walking with you, don't grab my arm; let me take yours. I'll keep a half step behind, to anticipate curbs and steps.
3. I want to know who's in the room with me. Speak when you enter. Introduce me to the others. Include children, and tell me if there's a cat or dog. Guide my hand to a chair.
4. The door to a room, cabinet, or to a car left partially open is a hazard to me.
5. At dinner I will not have trouble with ordinary table skills.
6. Don't avoid words like "see". I use them, too. I'm always glad to see you.
7. I don't want pity. But don't talk about the "wonderful compensations" of blindness. My sense of smell, touch, or hearing did not improve when I became blind. I rely on them more and, therefore, may get more information through those senses than you do that's all.
8. If I'm your house guest, show me the bathroom, closet, dresser, window the light switch, too. I like to know whether the lights are on.
9. I'll discuss blindness with you if you're curious, but it's an old story to me. I have as many other interests as you do.
10. Don't think of me as just a blind person. I'm just a person who happens to be blind.
In all 50 States, the law requires drivers to yield the right of way when they see my extended white cane. Only the blind may carry white canes. You see more blind persons today walking alone. Not because there are more of us, but because we have learned to make our own way.
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