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What is Visual Impairment?
Visual Impairment is a term that refers to conditions ranging from limited vision to zero vision. A person with a visual acuity of 20/200 is able to read a letter at twenty feet that an unimpaired person can read at two hundred feet. A person whose visual acuity measures 20/200 or less is considered legally blind. Other visually impaired individuals are able to distinguish only light or darkness, or varying patterns and shapes.
The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) defines "registered blind" as a visual acuity with the best possible corrective lenses, 20/200 or less. (Individuals may also be classified as blind if their field of vision, or the area that they can see, is less than 20 degrees across.) Individuals with low vision who have a visual acuity that is better than 20/200 may still require adaptive aids (ie. magnifiers, large print) and are eligible to access assistance from the CNIB.
Different types of vision impairment create different challenges. An individual's accommodation requirements will depend of the type of impairment involved. It is important that the entire workplace environment, including facilities, equipment and warning systems, be assessed for accessibility and safety.
Access to information
In general, access to information is the hardest barrier for workers who are blind, visually impaired or deaf and blind to overcome.
Typical modifications provided in the workplace may include:
- Vision Aids: hand held magnifiers, telescope, close circuit televisions (CCTV), large print computer programs
- Tactile devices: Braille including computerized translations, Braille printers, paperless Braille computers which are compact and highly portable
- Audible devices: voice devices for computers, calculators, watches, tape recorders
- Job coaches or specialized career counselors to assist with job orientation, training, employment support, staff awareness workshops
- Readers, guidedogs, clerical assistance
With continued advances in computerized and digital technology, it is important that devices are tailored to the specific eye condition of the individual and the job duties. The employee should be directly involved in the selection of the device and provided with an opportunity to test it before implementation. Use of a CNIB or other outside specialist should also be considered.
Tips for communicating with a person who is blind:
- ask how much they can see if you're not sure
- speak in a normal tone of voice
- identify yourself and indicate you are addressing the person by using their name or touching their arm;
- tell them when you are leaving
- let the person take your arm when walking - don't pull the person by the hand
- describe surroundings; point out helpful details
- give clear, accurate and specific directions; don't point
- if you're not sure whether the person needs assistance, ask!
- Use of guide dogs:
In Ontario, legislation provides that a person who is blind and uses a guide dog has the right of entrance to any public place. In the workplace, a guide dog is trained to lie quietly in an out-of-the-way place such as under a desk or counter. If a potential hazard or undue inconvenience may result from this arrangement, the guide dog may be left in another area.
When a new employee using a guide dog starts work, it is helpful to provide both with a tour of the workplace. During this time, other employees can ask questions and be introduced.
Points to keep in mind about guide dogs:
- It is reasonable to request that the dog be on a leash or in a harness if there are safety concerns. Provide a hook or other type of anchor at the employee's workspace
- The dog's owner establishes the rules for whether the dog is "working" or "resting"
- When at work, the guide dog will wear a harnes and should not be patted, fed or distraced by others
- When the dog is at rest, ask the owners permission before patting
- Assess whether allergies or fears on the part of coworkers call for seperation or rescheduling of employees
- In meeting situations, place the person with the guide dog in a corner or at the end of the table so that the dog can rest next to the owner without getting in the way of others
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