PubMed1975
The problems faced by blind adolescents when leaving special schools to enter employment differ considerably from those encountered by people who lost their sight during adulthood. The realisation of the fact that their blindness leaves little occupational choice often results in job apathy. It is, however, especially work capacity and occupational activity which serve again and again, in discussions on the full integration of the blind, as proof of the visually impaired's equal position within society. In particular W. Thimm has proved that blindness has a decisive impact on the social position of the individual blind person as well as the whole disability group of the blind, because this is essentially determinated by the employment status. The individual job performance of some blind is generalised too rapidly. The fear that jobs carried out by the blind are jeopardised by the increasing automation is certainly not unfounded, especially in large enterprises. At present, however, it is not possible to make a prognosis on whether in the future job opportunities for the blind will be available or not in certain branches of industry or in specific branches of production (this varies from one firm to another and is dependent upon many other factors). Consequently, it seems to be necessary for institutions involved in the vocational training of the blind to adjust in due course to the new situation in the theoretical and practical implementation of rehabilitation.