What Does It Mean to Be Legally Blind?

Published June 30, 2020

The term "legally blind" is commonly heard and used, but it may not always be used correctly. For example, many believe that being legally blind means to be totally blind, which usually isn’t the case. So, what is the actual legal definition of blindness?

When a person looking straight ahead has visual acuity of 20/200 or less in their better eye with correction, they are legally blind, according to the Iowa Department for the Blind. A vision of 20/200 means a person can read only the top line (E) of the Snellen Eye Chart from 20 feet away, with best correction, says the American Foundation for the Blind.

A person can also be diagnosed as legally blind based on their visual field, which is the area someone can see around them without moving sideways. A visual field of 20 degrees or less in the better eye, sometimes called "tunnel vision," would constitute legal blindness.

Legal blindness, as the name suggests, is a legal definition that doesn’t necessarily provide much detail about what or how much someone can see. Although it might be confused with other common terms, it’s often inaccurate to use the legal definition of blindness when trying to indicate the severity or type of visual impairment.

The inability to see anything, including light, is total blindness. About 15% of people with eye disorders are totally blind, as most people have some vision or light perception, explains the American Foundation for the Blind.

A person has low vision, another common term, if they have "difficulty performing ordinary tasks with sight" even with best correction, according to the Iowa Department for the Blind. They also provide a definition for when someone is functionally blind: when he or she has to use so many alternative techniques to perform tasks that are ordinarily performed with sight that his/her pattern of daily living is substantially altered. These techniques include things like using audio or Braille for reading.

The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to visual impairment if a person’s disability limits one or more "major life activities" or if a person has a relationship or association with a person with a disability. In that case, employers must provide reasonable accommodations that will help an individual perform or benefit from an activity.

 

PDF Remediation Software - Free Online Event!

Join us on Tuesday, April 9th, at 1 PM ET for a free online event to explore how to evaluate and select PDF remediation software for your business. Click here to learn more about this event and to register.

Click here to see our Events Calendar.

Accessibility.com's 2024 events will utilize the Zoom Events platform, offering a virtual expo hall for attendees to meet with prospective vendors. If your company is interested in being part of the expo hall, don't hesitate to get in touch with Amanda@Accessibility.com.

Vendor Directory

Accessibility.com offers the premier impartial listing of digital accessibility vendors.  Search for products and services by category, subcategory, or company name.  Check out our new Vendor Directory here.

Comments