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

[Hyde, David W. (ESC)]

Good morning Kerry. As you've seen, the answer to your question varies with the individual responding. Every state is different in regard to services. I grew up in Oregon where we had a commission for the blind. We received fairly good services, particularly after consumers took control of the agency in the mid-1970's. I moved to Colorado, where I worked at the CCB. The state had services as a part of a general agency, and ran their own rehab center. I'm not sure how well they did, but I knew a lot of blind people who got jobs. I moved to Wisconsin, where services are not nearly as good. No counselors dedicated to blind clients, no rehab center. 
Now as far as jobs, I know blind people doing almost everything. I work with teachers of blind children, and with families. I know blind adults with multiple disabilities who work, and some who don't. Of course, I know sighted people who work, and those who don't. 
I think the factors that make the difference are training, support, attitudes to those around the person, and expectations. I had a chance to work with students with additional disabilities, and found that at least in my experience, the support and expectations were the most important factors. 
Thank you for your question. It is one of those with which we all struggle.

-----Original Message-----
From: BlindTlk <blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Kerry via BlindTlk
Sent: Sunday, May 16, 2021 8:11 PM
To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Kerry <kerry1211 at cox.net>
Subject: [BlindTlk] What happens to people that are born blind when they become adults? I need to be this specific.

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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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