[Blindtlk] Passport picture rejected for closed eyes?

[Arielle Silverman]

Hi all. I don't have a lot of helpful suggestions, but I think the
rules have gotten stricter just in the last year, because I saw
something about them no longer allowing glasses in the photo. I have
natural eyes, but have severe nystagmus and they tend to blink shut
during camera flashes. I never had problems with passport photos at
all until my renewal earlier this year, when I had mine rejected for
the same reason. I was able to go to a different photo center and
worked with a patient man who kept shooting pictures until he caught
me with my eyes open, and then it was accepted. But for someone who
actually has one eye missing or permanently shut, it seems you should
be able to request an accommodation. I imagine that if these are new
rules, there will be enough backlash that the state department will
need to figure out a better system for allowing accommodations soon.
Best, Arielle

On 5/23/17, Jen via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi Renee,
>
> I do not have and have never had a passport so cannot answer your question,
> but I can say what my opinion is, and my very strong opinion is, the State
> Department are the blind ones here. I think this requirement is officious
> and probably illegal under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
>
> Jen
> spiderweb1 at sbcglobal.net
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Rene
> Harrell via blindtlk
> Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 8:17 AM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Rene Harrell <rjharrell at gmail.com>
> 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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