Understanding the Life of a Visual-Impaired Person
The term ‘Visual Impairment’ refers to the impairment within which patients experience vision loss in two ways; partial or full vision loss. In the case of zero vision capabilities, the term used is blindness. In the case of a worse condition, individuals with visual impairments have visual acuity equal to or less than 20/200. It is impossible to correct their vision by medical or surgical means or corrective glasses, (Niagara College Canada, n.d.). In this particular paper, I explore the challenges encountered daily by my cousin Nick who has moderate visual acuity within the range of 6/18 to 6/60. He is a college student and has agreed to be the subject of my experiment.
Nick has struggled with his vision impairment as it lessens the productivity rate and slows down the process of learning, which is usually resulted in depression and anxiety. Additionally, he is isolated and associated with walking difficulties with a more significant risk of falls and fractures. It demonstrates that he needs appropriate accommodation to allow him to have an everyday life after graduation. Globally, at least 2.2 billion people have a near or distance vision impairment, (WHO, 2021). However, he possesses various accommodation requirements. First of all, the classroom’s architecture is needed to be changed. Secondly, the classroom environment must need to be friendly for Nick within which he can be engaged with others. In addition, modifications in policies and practices are needed to provide more facilitation for studying. Lastly, for some lectures, he needs an audiotape of the lectures as the presentation screen is often too bright for his eyes. However, I have found that Nick is very comfortable in his own house. He is very familiar with the positioning of each component and furniture.
I accompanied him to the NYC public library as an unknown person and did not provide any support or guidance. Nick is familiar with this place and has used handrails and his walking stick to reach out to the desired section of the library. He has picked up a few books written in Braille methodology, and some are audiobooks. As per my question, Nick answered that these kinds of books are significantly fewer. In the second shot, we have lunch together in Nandoos with the lead of Nick. Nick described his test and asked for advice from the server. I have noticed that the chosen food items are all strictly diet-based food. I should mention here, later I inquire with him, and found a surprising fact. He mentioned that his doctor suggested consuming as much as possible diet foods not for having a slim body but to sustain the rest (the minimum now have) vision power. And the diet includes vegetables and oil-rich fish. However, within a while, they had concluded, and food arrived. Nick is a regular customer of this outlet, so things are accessible here for him. However, he indicates that in the case of an unknown restaurant, it is often tough to make the server understand his need, especially during weekend nights or peak times.
Considering the two day’s observations, the very first thing I have found is that schools & colleges are adopting and implementing the most effective and result-oriented accommodation for visually disabled students. They have imported equality among the students through the varying measure, even in some cases the disabled person can have more time in the exam. It is very amazing to find out about the library’s accommodating facilities. The library has reading facilities for people with any disability. As an example, there is an automated-rolling ramp for the wheelchair is available. Unfortunately, I have not seen any additional or supportive, accommodating characteristics within the restaurant’s environment. That Nandoos outlet was easy for Nick due to being a loyal customer. However, he has stated that in other restaurants, minimum facility for a disabled population group is very tough to find. Only higher brand restaurants have those facilities for disabled people.
In conclusion, Nick is trying hard to compete with the people without any disabilities, and he is receiving an adequate amount of support from educational institutes, families, and friends. However, at the end of graduation, my realization directs me to question the selection process of an employer for an individual with visual impairment, at the same time there are lots of fit candidates waiting outside. Though government and the constitution have strict regulation regarding this issue i.e., ensuring equality, the practical scenario is often found different, which result in decreasing the chance of getting an everyday life for a disabled person while having a decent income.
References
Blind and low vision. (n.d.). Niagara College Canada. https://www.niagaracollege.ca/hwas/services/accessibility/disabilities/blindBlindness and vision impairment. (2021, October 14). WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blindness-and-visual-impairment
