[Blindtlk] Passport picture rejected for closed eyes?

[Sherry Pablo]

Hi,

I ran into the same issue when I was renewing my passport. Both of my
eyelids had recently undergone partial tarsorrhaphy procedures, the
surgical fusion of the upper and lower eyelids together. I could open
my eyes partially, but my photo was initially rejected because my eyes
were not fully open. I had to get my ophthalmologist at UCSF to write
a letter explaining why I am unable to open my eyes fully. I submitted
this with my passport renewal application and received my passport
without any issue.

Hope this helps and happy travels!

Sherry

On 5/23/17, BrianMiller via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi Rene,
>
> I'm afraid you will have to re-take the photo. I've seen this many times
> before - even if your eyes are half closed, they will reject the photo.
> I've
> seen them reject photos because someone is smiling, believe it or not.
>
> If your daughter is not physically able to open her eye due to a medical
> condition, it's possible you could get a doctor to certify this and seek
> redress that way, but I suspect it would be a cumbersome and time-consuming
> process. If your daughter can manage it at all, try to get a photo with her
> eyes fully open.
>
> Good luck , and safe travels!
>
> Brian M
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Judy Jones
> via blindtlk
> Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 9:33 AM
> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
> Cc: Judy Jones
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Passport picture rejected for closed eyes?
>
> Wow, I do have a passport, and never had any trouble getting it.  My
> husband
> as well.  This is the first I have heard of this situation.  Both my
> husband
> andI also grew up military brats, so we were constantly going from place to
> place.  Very interesting.
>
> Judy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Rene
> Harrell via blindtlk
> Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 6:17 AM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> Cc: Rene Harrell
> Subject: [Blindtlk] Passport picture rejected for closed eyes?
>
> We are applying for passports for all the kids, and my blind daughter's was
> just rejected because of "closed eyes/inability to tell natural eye color."
> They say they want Anne's photo.
>
> She only has one eye. The one eye she does have is open and looking
> directly
> at the camera.
>
> I called the number on the letter but they said it is the Department of
> state thay determines requirements and all she can do is forward the
> problem
> to them.
>
> I figure that surely other blind individuals have gotten passports before
> and can hopefully tell me what the Department of State required in order to
> accept a picture without visible eye(s).
>
> Thanks for any help
>
> Rene
>
>
>
> --
> "If I should fail,
> even if it were a thousand times,
> I will not be troubled,
> I will not lose courage,
> but always I will say
> immediately and with peace
> 'Nunc coepi' (now I begin)."
>  ---Ven. Bruno Lanteri OMV
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