Visual limitations
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are currently 285 million people with visual impairments worldwide. Of these, 39 million are blind and 246 million have various visual impairments. The causes of visual impairment are many and varied, ranging from infectious diseases caused by healthcare, to illness-related aberrations, to age-related eye diseases such as cataracts or diabetes 2. Limited vision or blindness can also be present from birth. Temporary or permanent vision loss can also occur as a result of a situation, an accident or an act of violence such as war injuries. With age there is also often a decrease or even a loss of vision.
Fortunately, modern medicine can already correct a lot. In countries with modern medical care such as Germany, the chances of recovery are up to 70%. A final clarification as to whether a visual impairment is present should be made by a specialist. The ophthalmologist can then also initiate medical treatment or determine the disability.
Participation in social life is also a human right for people with visual impairment. Unfortunately, our world is not particularly well adapted to people with visual impairments. The entire environment is not really barrier-free for visually impaired people. Especially blind people need a lot of support to move around in their environment. A cane for the blind helps orientation in public spaces. A guide dog or a person assisting the blind also helps.
So that people with visual impairments can participate in life and society, it is very important that the environment is barrier-free. In IT solutions, this means that visible elements can be made audible and even felt. In software solutions, inputs could also be made by speaking. There are many measures where IT could help. In Germany, the Barrier-Free Information Technology Ordinance (BITV) ensures that accessibility will be better implemented in Internet pages, apps and software in the future.
Questions and answers
What is blind help?
The blind assistance is based on a federal law, the SGB XII. This support is dependent on income and assets - these must be disclosed.
The blind assistance is paid as a supplement to the state blind money, thus the financial support by the respective federal state. It is paid only on request starting from the month of the application. If certain limits are not exceeded with the income and fortune, the difference between blind assistance and Landesblindengeld is paid additionally.
What's blind money?
Blind people's allowance is a monthly benefit for blind people, which is called "compensation for disadvantages". It is used to pay for expenses caused by the disability (e.g. for a domestic help, to transfer texts in Braille or have them spoken on, to buy aids, etc.). Blindengeld is a voluntary benefit paid by the state in which you live. The amount varies greatly from state to state. The benefit amounts vary for minors and adults, for residents and those in need of care. In addition, only seven federal states pay the visual handicap allowance for severely visually impaired people.
Checklist
Document
Guide to law for blind and visually impaired people
The guidebook has compiled the most frequently asked questions in the legal field for visually impaired, blind and hearing-impaired as well as deaf-blind people.
German Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired - www.dbsv.org
Helpful Links
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Living with blindness or visual impairment
Here you will find comprehensive information especially for people with vision loss and their relatives.
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Apply for a licence fee exemption or reduction
Here you can apply directly for an exemption or reduction.
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State aid and financing
Here you will find information on how to compensate for costs incurred due to visual impairment.
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Financial aid for visually impaired and blind people in Saxony
Here you will find detailed information on financial aid for people with visual impairments.
Addresses
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Blindenhilfswerk Dresden e.V. Bürstenerzeugung
Louis-Braille-Straße 6
01099 Dresden
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BSVS - Blinden- und Sehbehindertenverband Sachsen e.V.
Louis-Braille-Str. 6
01099 Dresden
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Deutscher Verband für Blinde und Sehbehinderte in Dresden
Blasewitzer Str. 36B
01307 Dresden
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Landesarbeitsgemeinschaft Selbsthilfe Sachsen e.V. (LAG SH)
Michelangelostr. 2
01217 Dresden
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Blinden Hilfsmittel Vertrieb Dresden
Tannenstraße 2
01099 Dresden
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Landeshilfsmittelzentrum des BSVS e. V.
Louis-Braille-Straße 6
01099 Dresden
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Sehzentrum Dresden – Fachgeschäft
Könneritzstraße 15
01067 Dresden
• AG Studium für Blinde und Sehbehinderte – TU Dresden
Nöthnitzer Straße 46
01069 Dresden