[BlindTlk] Is blindness from birth considered a developmental disability under the definition

[Kerry]

Yeah I think it’s important in all cases to remove the barriers to inclusion for both the blindness community and the developmental disability community especially those with severe impairments Even from the blinds perspective in Rhode Island when I asked the bus driver how many other blind people he has taking the bus he told me maybe one or two other blind people in Rhode Island that he knows of but it’s not a lot and I am understanding that it is a small state buteven from the blinds perspective in Rhode Island when I asked the bus driver how many other blind people he has taking the bus he told me maybe one or two other blind people in Rhode Island that he knows of but it’s not a lot and I am understanding that it is a small state but I think there’s a lot more Then just those few If there is blind people still living with their families and theirIf there is blind people still living with their families and they’re taking them out places in their cars that’s cool I’m not sure if that’s even happening though I think there’s a general idea of shelter in place a lot of times especially when people get older and transition out of the school system   

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> On Jan 18, 2020, at 8:10 PM, Rene Harrell <rjharrell at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> I can answer this question in respect to Massachusetts. My now 18 year old daughter is both blind and has developmental disabilities— with diagnoses of moderate Intellectual Disability (IQ of 45) and Autism. In order to qualify for Mass Commission of the Blind services she needed to Blind. In order to qualify for services from the Department of Developmental Disability Services (DDS) as an adult, she needed to have a documented IQ of below 70 that also causes a significant limitations in adaptive functioning and had an age of onset before the age of 18, or Autism with significant impatient in adaptive functioning. 
> 
> While her blindness was certainly noted as an additional medical condition, it was not considered as part of the eligibility process in qualifying for DDS services— that was strictly based on an assessment of IQ and how her IQ impacted her adaptive functioning, not how her blindness impacts her adaptive functioning.
> 
> Hope that helps! 
> Rene 
> 
>> On Saturday, January 18, 2020, Kerry via BlindTlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Hi I have been on this list for sometime but have never really posted a topic but this is my question is blindness considered a developmental disability under the definition and in most or some states does it qualify for related services. I have been part of both systems for a few years now the vocational rehab system in the DDS system in my state i’ve had problems trying to work with both systems to develop plans and have really been stuck for quite a while now sure the goal always is to focus on what can I do independently into relying on natural supports as much as possible joining the DDS system was more of a social thing than it was to design a plan of services or community staff support and that is not to say that community staff is somehow wrong or wouldn’t help in some areas but I would like some guidance on this issue. 
>> Although Rhode Island really lacks in resources for the Blind anyway and have considered a lot moving out of Rhode Island eventually because I just don’t know if I can get successful here
>> Kerry
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
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