Power Point Part 2

FACTS What causes Visual Impairment? Eye disorders that can lead to visual impairments can include: retinal degeneration, albinism, cataracts, glaucoma, muscular problems that result in visual disturbances, corneal disorders, diabetic retinopathy, congenital disorders and infection

Famous persons Stevie Wonder – was born blind and despite this has become one of the most talented singer – songwriters ever to live. As a child Stevie Wonder taught himself to play several instruments. Helen Keller – is well known as an incredibly successful blind and deaf woman. She was not born blind. She developed an illness when she was nineteen months old that left her deaf and blind. Helen Keller later became a world famous author and speaker. Andrea Bocelli – is one of the world’s most famous opera singers, and he became totally blind at age twelve. He worked for years as a lawyer and practiced his “hobby” of singing in piano bars and at parties on weekends. He is quoted as saying “you have to persevere, you have to insist.” Maria Runyan – was an Olympic runner. She never let her disability slow her down. She had a degenerative eye condition that leads her to become legally blind. She has a master’s degree in Special Education. Maria is a motivational speaker, encouraging people to look past barriers and reach their full potential. Aaron Golub – is a seventeen-year-old legally blind high school football player. His coach says he is a great athlete. He is on his way to play football at Tulane University. There is nothing you can’t accomplish if you really want to do it, Golub said. Joseph Pulitzer – is the namesake for one of the most desired honors, the Pulitzer Prize for literature, music and journalism. Pulitzer’s eyes began to fail him leading to becoming completely blind.

What are the different types of Visual Impairment? There are three degrees of vision loss:

1. Visual acuity of 20/200 – the legally blind person can see at 20 feet what the average sighted person can see at 200.

2. Low vision – limited or diminished vision that cannot be corrected with standard lenses.

3. Partial sight – the field of vision is impaired because of an illness, a degenerative syndrome, or trauma.