Book Description

The central idea of this book is that blindness itself results in no particular social arrangement as a cultural pattern. People are socialized to expect ideas about appropriate behavior for blind people and these vary from culture to culture. The descriptions of blindness in several different cultures are the authors’ firsthand observations as outsiders visiting different cultures interviewing individuals, as well as extensive reviewing of written sources. The text describes different perspectives regarding blindness and the social arrangements created for and by blind people. The viewpoints of blind people themselves receive prominent attention in the book. The text is critical in its perspective. Its purpose is to analyze patterns of domination and subordination as they take various forms in different cultures, including physical condition. Major discussions include: Why study rehabilitation and blindness from a cross-cultural perspective; Cultural perspectives on blindness; Producing new images about blindness; Blindness in the United States - From isolation to full inclusion; Blindness is Africa; Blind people in the Middle Kingdom and the People’s Republic of China; Spain’s unique Organizacion Nacional de Ciegos Espanoles; and the Changing culture of blindness around the world. The book strives to contribute to the social sciences and the study of behavior that is considered deviant or different. It also seeks to stimulate interest in cross-national and cross-cultural studies of blindness, and contributes to the development of a broader and richer understanding about blindness for those who provide education, rehabilitation, and employment services. Finally, the book strives to aid blind people who are reflective about their own situation and who are working to make it better.