Everyone’s eyes are unique, the same as how people can experience different levels of vision loss. It’s common for people to assume that vision impairment is the same as being blind, but these are two distinct conditions of vision loss. In this blog, we’ll look at the main differences between being blind and visually impaired and how each affects daily life and learning.
What does it mean to be blind?
Blindness refers to having a complete or nearly complete lack of vision. It can be categorised into two main types: total blindness and partial blindness.
Total blindness is where a person cannot see anything at all, including light. While partial blindness is used to describe having limited vision, only able to perceive light but not distinguish shapes or colours.
A person can be blind because of the result of causes, such as congenital conditions, eye diseases (such as glaucoma or cataracts), injuries to the eyes, or other medical conditions that impact vision.
You can usually identify someone with vision impairment/blindness through their cane. They will often use a cane with a distinctive white colour, which serves as a mobility aid and a signal to others that the individual has no or limited vision. This cane helps them navigate their surroundings as well as informing others of their condition.
What does it mean to be visually impaired?
Vision impairment is a term we use to describe a range of vision loss, not classified as total blindness. It refers to various vision issues, which can cause difficulty in seeing objects clearly, challenges in distinguishing colours, or problems with peripheral vision.
People who are visually impaired may have partial vision but often require help to navigate their environment. This condition can occur from similar causes of blindness, including congenital issues, injuries, or other medical conditions.
Some people may have mild impairments that allow them to function with minimal help, while others may have more severe impairments that significantly affect their daily life.
How does blindness affect everyday tasks?
Being blind can seriously impact a person’s everyday life. People who are blind often rely heavily on their other senses — such as hearing, touch, and smell — to interact with environments. They may use auditory cues to recognise sounds in their surroundings or tactile feedback from surfaces and objects to understand where they are.
Just being able to move around safely can be a challenge. Blind people often use tools like canes or have a guide dog to help them move in their environment. They may also benefit from orientation and mobility training to develop skills for moving through spaces.
In terms of learning, students may require assistive technology, such as screen readers or braille technology. These tools enable them to access written materials and take part in a learning environment more effectively.
How does visual impairment affect everyday tasks?
Just like blindness, visual impairment also presents issues in daily life, but the extent of these challenges can vary.
People who are visually impaired may struggle with tasks such as reading, recognising faces, or navigating spaces because of difficulties in seeing clearly or distinguishing colours such as one signs or traffic lights.
Those with mild vision impairments may still be able to perform daily tasks independently with the help of adaptations, to help them see better.
People with more severe visual impairments may need additional support and adaptive technologies, similar to those used by blind people, to assist in their daily activities.
How can InFocus help?
InFocus College is the leading provider of comprehensive support for young people with vision impairment and complex needs. Our specialised further education courses for 16-25-year-olds are specifically designed to address and overcome the unique challenges of vision impairment or blindness.
Our programmes focus on providing students with essential life skills and academic knowledge for both education and daily living. We also offer a wide range of support services such as speech and language therapy, mobility and orientation training, and access to assistive technologies.
Through personalised learning plans and a supportive environment, InFocus College empowers students to thrive academically and socially, while also preparing them for future employment opportunities. Our dedicated staff works closely with students to ensure that every young person can reach their full potential.
To learn more about InFocus College, please feel free to read our College prospectus. Or if you would like to book a tour of our campus, please call us on 01392 454200 or via email at enquiries@infocus-charity.org.uk.