Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired in U.S.? A Snapshot
Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired in U.S.? A Snapshot
Having vision loss is not as much an obstacle to living a full and productive life in the 21st century as it used to be in the past.
Greater acceptance and inclusion of the blind and visually impaired into the American mainstream, thanks in part to the Americans with Disabilities Act, has opened up doors that were closed before in the job market as well as in other sectors of society.
Advances in adaptive technology have allowed blind people to participate in Web 2.0., and prominent Americans with vision loss such as former New York Gov. David Paterson serve as proof that you don't have to be sighted to achieve your dreams. In addition, groups such as the Heritage for The Blind run programs designed to help the blind and visually impaired achieve a higher quality of life.
To get a better idea of who those with vision loss are, take a look at the following statistics. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, around 25.2 million American adults are blind or visually impaired, meaning that they have trouble seeing even with glasses or contacts.
Of those 25 million people:
€ More than 15 million are women
€ 3 million are black
€ 2.4 million are Hispanic or Latino
€ 6.5 million are over 65
In terms of marital status, about half -- 12.7 million -- are married, with 4.2 million divorced, 4 million never married, 2.7 million widowed, and 1.6 million living with partners.
U.S. adults with serious vision loss are most likely to live in the South, where 40 percent, or 10.2 million, reside. The next most popular region for the visually impaired is the Midwest (23 percent), followed by the West (20 percent) and then the Northeast (15 percent). Roughly 44 percent live in large urban areas, while less than one fifth inhabit rural areas.
Of those 25 years of age and older who are blind or visually impaired, half attended college, with over 21 percent holding bachelor's degrees or above. Nearly 28 percent have only high school diplomas, while the remaining 22 percent haven't graduated high school. This is really a good information and everybody can keep this record with them. it can help us properly.
Nearly 55 percent make family incomes of $35,000 or more, while one-third live near or in poverty, and 16 percent, or 4 million, lack health insurance.
Having vision loss is not as much an obstacle to living a full and productive life in the 21st century as it used to be in the past.
Greater acceptance and inclusion of the blind and visually impaired into the American mainstream, thanks in part to the Americans with Disabilities Act, has opened up doors that were closed before in the job market as well as in other sectors of society.
Advances in adaptive technology have allowed blind people to participate in Web 2.0., and prominent Americans with vision loss such as former New York Gov. David Paterson serve as proof that you don't have to be sighted to achieve your dreams. In addition, groups such as the Heritage for The Blind run programs designed to help the blind and visually impaired achieve a higher quality of life.
To get a better idea of who those with vision loss are, take a look at the following statistics. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, around 25.2 million American adults are blind or visually impaired, meaning that they have trouble seeing even with glasses or contacts.
Of those 25 million people:
€ More than 15 million are women
€ 3 million are black
€ 2.4 million are Hispanic or Latino
€ 6.5 million are over 65
In terms of marital status, about half -- 12.7 million -- are married, with 4.2 million divorced, 4 million never married, 2.7 million widowed, and 1.6 million living with partners.
U.S. adults with serious vision loss are most likely to live in the South, where 40 percent, or 10.2 million, reside. The next most popular region for the visually impaired is the Midwest (23 percent), followed by the West (20 percent) and then the Northeast (15 percent). Roughly 44 percent live in large urban areas, while less than one fifth inhabit rural areas.
Of those 25 years of age and older who are blind or visually impaired, half attended college, with over 21 percent holding bachelor's degrees or above. Nearly 28 percent have only high school diplomas, while the remaining 22 percent haven't graduated high school. This is really a good information and everybody can keep this record with them. it can help us properly.
Nearly 55 percent make family incomes of $35,000 or more, while one-third live near or in poverty, and 16 percent, or 4 million, lack health insurance.
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