Coping And Managing Blindness
Blindness can be a very frightening experience because it involves the loss of a fundamental sense. It can be temporary or permanent vision loss. It may be caused by an accident, disease, or be heredity. Blindness is prevalent in individuals older than fifty. Some diseases like glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration, and infection of the cornea can contribute to visual impairment and lead to absolute blindness. Treatment is varied and depends on the cause and severity of the blindness. There are many ways to cope and manage blindness. Learn about some of the most common and effective ones now.
Seek Out Support As Soon As Possible
Don't hesitate to reach out to others if you are blind and need help. Often, blindness is associated with helplessness and shame. For many years, it was commonplace for the blind to be treated as weak and burdensome. But in current times there are so many resources and special groups that offer support to blind individuals. This makes it easier to reach out for help. One popular group that offers a wide assortment of services and support is the American Council of the Blind (ACB). They can be of service to visually impaired individuals immediately if they are contacted for help. It is also important to not hide the fact you are blind. Do not sit at home feeling embarrassed and sorry about your situation or for yourself. Doing so will only make you feel depressed and helpless. Gain the strength and courage to seek out assistance if needed.
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Mobility Training
Mobility training is also known as orientation and mobility skills. This type of training teaches the visually impaired how to travel around effectively and safely. It teaches the blind to be aware of where they are and know where they want to go. Whether it's moving to the room next door or walking around in the city, mobility training can greatly improve the life of the individual who is blind. There are orientation and mobility trained specialists that teach the blind how to walk from one place to another without falling or tripping. These instructors teach individuals with vision loss how to use public transportation and transit systems safely and with ease. These teachers also aid the blind in developing their other senses further and advancing their problem-solving skills.
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Get Access To Adapted Technology
Adapted or accessible technology is made specifically for individuals with disabilities. It is technology tailored towards individuals who are blind (or who have other disabilities). Some popular and effective types of adapted technology are screen magnifiers, scan and read programs, screen reader programs, and voice recognition programs. All these programs help the user gain access to the computer system conveniently. For instance, when using a voice recognition program, the user's voice is used to access the computer. This is particularly helpful to not only the visually impaired but those with difficulty with mobility in their hands and fingers. Some smartphones are equipped with access technology geared for the blind as well. Apple iPhones offer an operating system that includes a basic finger gesture function that allows the blind to navigate and access many phone and app-related features.
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Consider A Service Animal
The most common type of service animal used for the visually impaired is dogs. Dogs that serve the blind are called guide dogs or eye seeing dogs. Popular kinds of guide dogs include German shepherds, Labradors, and golden retrievers. These type of dogs are gentle, intelligent, and patient, all of which are qualities perfect for aiding the blind.
There are many benefits to getting a service animal, including helping reduce feelings of depression, isolation, stress, and anxiety in visually impaired individuals and giving the owners more confidence to live and enjoy everyday life. Service animals diminish the owner's feelings of uncertainty and dread and help them feel more relaxed. Thus, it ultimately contributes to an enhanced sense of security.
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Learn From Those Who Have Been Through It
It is important to seek out additional support from others, especially from those who know what it's like to be visually impaired. Finding a good support group can help improve quality of life. Support groups can be found online or locally. They offer blind individuals the chance to talk to others who share a similar situation to theirs. Joining a group can help the visually impaired individual find solutions and tips on any vision related issues they may be experiencing. Some well-known support groups are Vision Exchange, The National Foundation Of The Blind, The Family Caregiver Alliance, and American Council Of The Blind. These groups provide an abundance of resources to help those with vision problems.