ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes two aspects of the socialization of the adult blind. The currently accepted administrative definition of blindness is used as the initial basis for determining who among the visually impaired are eligible to be recruited into the blindness system. An unknown, but apparently substantial, portion of the legally blind population never comes to the attention of agencies for the blind because their visual acuity has never been tested. Even those whose blindness has definitely been diagnosed by medical authorities may nevertheless avoid agencies for the blind. The beliefs, ideologies, and assumptions about blindness and rehabilitation that make up practice theories of work for the blind are legion. The basic premise of the restorative approach to blindness is that most blind people can be restored to a high level of independence enabling them to lead a reasonably normal life. Employment training for clients in accommodative agencies involves instruction in the use of equipment specifically adapted to the disability.
