Complete vision loss or blindness refers to a severe loss or absence of vision. A person is considered legally blind:
- when they cannot see at six metres what someone with normal vision can see at 60 metres
- if their field of vision is less than 20 degrees in diameter (as a person with normal vision can see 180 degrees).
Low vision can be caused by a number of different diseases, conditions or accidents. Some eye conditions are congenital (present at or near birth), others are caused by a disease or infection and others can be caused by accidents or through exposure to damaging UV rays (sunlight) or chemicals.
Workplace adjustments and solutions
In the workplace there are various factors that would assist people with complete vision loss to better manage their condition. These include changes to work tasks and the environment, and will vary depending upon the level of vision loss. Some suggestions for workplace modifications include:
- mobility training to assist with getting to and from work, moving around the workplace and work related travel
- facilities and accommodations within the workplace if a guide dog is used for mobility assistance
- evaluation of workplace lighting to ensure it meets Australian standards with the addition of specific task lighting if required for increased brightness or contrast
- the use of magnification software to assist with computer screen magnification or text to speech software
- use of a larger screen to assist with viewing text, along with modification of contrast, screen vs text colours and brightness levels
- the use of magnification aids and devices either portable or desk based to magnify hard copy documents or panels such as that on a photocopier
- the use of specialised scanning software which allows rapid scanning of hard copy documents which are then saved to computer for viewing or listening via text to speech functions
- the use of other adaptive technology to overcome workplace barriers such as barcode scanners for labeling items for easy locating or braille equipment
- large button phones or mobiles with text to speech software to allow for use of text messaging
- GPS equipment with speech output to assist with navigation around the community or when traveling for work (Vision Australia 2009; MDA Internet 2005 – 2008).
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References
MDA Internet 2005-2008, Blindness, Reed Group Ltd, Colorado, viewed 19 February 2009, http://www.mdainternet.com (secure site).
Vision Australia 2009, What is Blindness?, Vision Australia, Sydney, viewed 19 February 2009, http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=1136#blindness.