Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Now legally blind as an adult. Have a law degree and am a practicing lawyer at a firm. Would a blind school accept me? What about scholarships? (self.Blind)
submitted by 202206north
Well that's that, the law has declared me legally blind and now I figure hey, let's go back to school. I have no idea how to apply or what schools I should even look at.
Would blind colleges help with learning to be blind or are they only for fully functional blind people to just learn like non blind schools?
Could I apply for a scholarship?
Would blind colleges help with learning to be blind or are they only for fully functional blind people to just learn like non blind schools?
Could I apply for a scholarship?
redstone1337 2 points 6y ago
What you're looking for is rehabilitation, and I would highly recommend it if you've recently lost vision. Most rehab programs will teach you how to live and travel independently. Not knowing where you live I can't give specific agencies to contact, but if you have an blindness advocacy group in your area they should be able to help.
Fortunately, blind lawyers are like blind musicians: it's a concept many people are able to accept without any trouble.
Fortunately, blind lawyers are like blind musicians: it's a concept many people are able to accept without any trouble.
-shacklebolt- 2 points 6y ago
We don't (in the US, or any other country I know of...) have "blind colleges" in the sense of institutes of higher education exclusively for blind people. Blind people go to regular colleges and universities.
There are training centers (like the colorado center for the blind, blind inc, and the louisiana center for the blind) throughout the country designed for blind adults who are either losing their vision, recently blind, or blind but lack sufficient skills. "Blind" in this sense meaning legally blind or substantially visually impaired, as many of the techniques and skills are the same (and of course depending on the condition you may lose more vision.) If you're legally blind, you're definitely "blind enough." They teach cane travel, braille reading, computer use, home skills, cooking, college prep, hobbying, job skills, etc. Programs usually last several months and then students return to their normal jobs or schools. Usually this is paid for through your department of rehabilitation.
There is also likely local training available to you (orientation and mobility, blindness skills, computer use, etc) and department of rehab in the US would be able to help you stay in your current job as your vision changes. Putting in an application with your state's department of rehab is the first step.
Your local chapter of the [NFB]
(https://nfb.org/) can also help hook you up with local resources. If you're not in the US, let us know where you are and maybe someone here has relevant info.
There are training centers (like the colorado center for the blind, blind inc, and the louisiana center for the blind) throughout the country designed for blind adults who are either losing their vision, recently blind, or blind but lack sufficient skills. "Blind" in this sense meaning legally blind or substantially visually impaired, as many of the techniques and skills are the same (and of course depending on the condition you may lose more vision.) If you're legally blind, you're definitely "blind enough." They teach cane travel, braille reading, computer use, home skills, cooking, college prep, hobbying, job skills, etc. Programs usually last several months and then students return to their normal jobs or schools. Usually this is paid for through your department of rehabilitation.
There is also likely local training available to you (orientation and mobility, blindness skills, computer use, etc) and department of rehab in the US would be able to help you stay in your current job as your vision changes. Putting in an application with your state's department of rehab is the first step.
Your local chapter of the [NFB]
(https://nfb.org/) can also help hook you up with local resources. If you're not in the US, let us know where you are and maybe someone here has relevant info.
202206north [OP] 1 points 6y ago
Drat, so no blind dorm party fun time for me.
So I am in NJ, when you say the training camps could be paid for by the department, do you mean through my insurance at work or is there a state program I would need to contact to be allowed to go to something like Colorado?
So I am in NJ, when you say the training camps could be paid for by the department, do you mean through my insurance at work or is there a state program I would need to contact to be allowed to go to something like Colorado?
redstone1337 1 points 6y ago
a quick google led me hear:
http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/cbvi/home/
My assumption is they fill a similar role to DARS in Texas. If so, you should contact them about rehab.
Also, if you're a dog person, maybe consider getting a guide dog down the road after getting sufficient O&M training. The Seeing Eye is based in NJ. I'm not sure what their qualification criteria are, but some guide dog schools simply require that you have good O&M skills, be legally blind, and be able to house a dog.
My impression is that practicing law is a very blind friendly occupation, so you don't have to go back to school unless you're sick of being a lawyer.
http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/cbvi/home/
My assumption is they fill a similar role to DARS in Texas. If so, you should contact them about rehab.
Also, if you're a dog person, maybe consider getting a guide dog down the road after getting sufficient O&M training. The Seeing Eye is based in NJ. I'm not sure what their qualification criteria are, but some guide dog schools simply require that you have good O&M skills, be legally blind, and be able to house a dog.
My impression is that practicing law is a very blind friendly occupation, so you don't have to go back to school unless you're sick of being a lawyer.
jessie15273 1 points 6y ago
Hey! Whereabouts in NJ. My fiance is legally blind and we are in Gloucester County.
202206north [OP] 1 points 6y ago
Warren County..
-shacklebolt- 1 points 6y ago
It's usually funded through a state program (department of rehab or similar.) They can also hook you up with software you need to work (screen magnifier, screenreader, etc,) tech to help you do your job, extra training you need, etc.
The colorado center has a block of apartments for their students, so you *kinda* get to have blind dorm party fun time?
The colorado center has a block of apartments for their students, so you *kinda* get to have blind dorm party fun time?
202206north [OP] 1 points 6y ago
Sounds like I need to figure out how to go to Colorado!
I will contact the groups posted here and see what my next steps are.
Thanks.
I will contact the groups posted here and see what my next steps are.
Thanks.
napoleon88 1 points 6y ago
hay man, I'm a practicing lawyer myself in the UK and was born blind. Hit me up anytime. I'm afraid I can't help much with american logistics but no need to give up on the law in the longer term.
modulus 1 points 6y ago
Hi there, I have a law degree as well though I'm not practicing, instead I went to the civil service. I'm curious how people handle things like documents being introduced during a court appearance and things like that, when the counterparty does something unannounced. (Also aware the practice of law is not all in court, but I'm curious on that side of it.)
Fange_Strellow 1 points 6y ago
Some states have commissions for the blind that will have some resources and information for you. If you are from New Jersey, I think this is yours:
http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/cbvi/home/
I'm sure there is someone you will be able to contact at that agency who will be able to help you navigate the options available to you. As a lawyer, brush up on your ADA and get to making your community more accessible!
http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/cbvi/home/
I'm sure there is someone you will be able to contact at that agency who will be able to help you navigate the options available to you. As a lawyer, brush up on your ADA and get to making your community more accessible!
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