[BlindTlk] What happens to people that are born blind when they become adults? I need to be this specific.

[Ericka]

There are so many factors that I can’t really answer the question though what you’d like. If all they are is blind most of them are educated in the public schools and go on to college or tech and try to find employment. Like most college students today and graduates unfortunately many live with family or in low income housing. Most blind people without any other challenges do not live in group homes and attend adult day programs. More likely we are volunteering in those adult day programs! Transportation is a big factor in whether someone is active in volunteerism or work. Attitudes towards blind people also keep them unemployed or from volunteering. Sometimes they attitude is negative towards blindness in the family, sometimes it’s the person themselves who thinks they cannot do anything, and unfortunately most employers and volunteer recruiters are shortsighted and just see the blindness never thinking there’s another way to do things. 

Programs and skills Todd vary from state to state. The service is a blind person gets from birth through old age are very different in Minnesota for example than they are in Wisconsin. In Minnesota use get supported from the beginning throughout their entire life including Minnesota assisting students going to both college and graduate school. In Wisconsin where I  Live there isn’t much support once you’re out of public school. While there is the state school for the blind most kids do not attend unless they have some other cognitive or physical impairment. There is a vocational rehabilitation department but there is nothing specifically to help the blind. The blind services focuses on senior citizens and so do most other services and programs. Basically the fact is if you don’t have assistive technology I can’t afford to get assistive technology no matter how much training you get you won’t be able to learn as effectively. Vocational rehabilitation will not purchase equipment unless it goes specifically for your job. So if you are a factory worker putting widgets on something you won’t get any technology because aside from a cell phone to call your work saying you won’t be in there probably won’t be any other technology needed. Maybe they will help pay for a IRA services for a time until the client has spent enough time to look like they stay employed. Then services disappear. I hope this gives you some indication. Nothing is Cut and dry!

For me, my husband and I are married live independently in our own home and he works. I have worked but I am currently unemployed. We’ve both acquired education past high school. In Wisconsin there is a program called family care which helps people with disabilities and seniors stay in their home. Just blindnes is not some thing that will get you these services. I only receive services because I am blind and epileptic. Well this is probably not what you wanted to hear, I hope it gives you a greater understanding. Any further questions for me personally you can send me off-line.
Ericka Nelson

> On May 16, 2021, at 8:15 PM, Kerry via BlindTlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> Hi, I need to be specific on this subject because I’m wanting an idea of typical services for blind adults. What happens to people that are born blind when they become adults typically? Are there some that are just blind that are in day programs, or group homes? Even though I know the ideaeven though I know the idea for people that are blind is for employment, or community lives but is this what happens for most, or is this the exception?
> Trying to figure out exactly what’s going on i’ve lived in Rhode Island all my life but have very rarely seem blind people around. I am thinking it could be many things such as some blind people from Rhode Island going to Perkins, and then moving to other states once they’ve graduated, some blind people that were born blind having additional disabilities and there was additional disabilitiI am thinking it could be many things such as some blind people from Rhode Island going to Perkins, and then moving to other states once they’ve graduated, some blind people that were born blind having additional disabilities and there was additional disabilities qualifying for segregated services so they live lives in segregation away from the community There are a few blind people that I know that work for services for the blind, or Rhode Island’s only blind rehabilitatithere are a few blind people that I know that work for services for the blind, or Rhode Island’s only blind rehabilitation agency insight and one person that I know has a job with a health insurance company but it’s very rare. And when I have brought up this question to the Rhode Island NFB chapter, or a VR counselor they’ve asked theand when I have brought up this question to the Rhode Island NFB chapter, or a VR counselor they’ve asked the question why does it matter? 
> Why don’t you want to know other people that were like yourself? Or be able to ask for support, or just know that there are others that are following the same path or a different path? 
> Also it surprises me that a state being so close to a well renowned state for blind people has no idea how to interact where direct at times somebody that’s blind.   Sent from my iPhone
> 
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