How are the terms low vision, visually impaired and blind defined?
Printable Version According to the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) the blanket term “visual impairment” includes low vision, partially sighted, legal blindness and total blindness. These terms are discussed below. Low vision is used to describe a loss of visual acuity while retaining some vision. It applies to individuals with sight who are unable to read a newspaper at a normal distance of viewing, even with the aid of glasses or contact lenses. People with low vision often need adaptations in lighting and/or enlarged print to read something. There are two specific types of low vision: Myopic- Unable to see distant objects clearly, commonly referred to as “near-sighted.” • Hyperopic- Unable to see close objects clearly, commonly referred to as “far-sighted.” Partially Sighted is usually used in educational contexts to describe a visual impairment that requires special education services. The partially sighted student meets the challenge of disabil
