Visual impairment, also known as vision loss, refers to a range of visual conditions that can cause partial or complete loss of sight. Visually impaired people face various challenges in their daily lives, such as accessing information, mobility, and social interaction. In Singapore, there are many visually impaired individuals who need support and assistance from the society. In this article, we will discuss what visually impaired means, how many of Singapore’s population is visually impaired, and how the society can contribute to Singapore visually impaired.
What is Visually Impaired?
Visually impaired refers to people who have a degree of vision loss that cannot be fully corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or other visual aids. It includes people who are blind, partially sighted, or have low vision. Visually impaired people face challenges in various aspects of their lives, such as reading, writing, mobility, and social interaction. They often require specialized support and assistance to overcome these challenges. Check out iC2 Prephouse for more information about Singapore visually impaired community.
How Many of Singapore Population is Visually Impaired?
According to the Singapore National Eye Centre, about 1 in 10 Singaporeans has some form of visual impairment. This means that there are approximately 500,000 visually impaired individuals in Singapore. The most common causes of visual impairment in Singapore are age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Visual impairment can occur at any age, but it is more prevalent in older adults.
How Can the Society Contribute to Singapore Visually Impaired?
Society can play a vital role in supporting visually impaired individuals and improving their quality of life. Here are some ways in which society can contribute to Singapore visually impaired:
Raise Awareness – Society can raise awareness about visual impairment and its impact on individuals’ lives. This can be done through public education campaigns, social media, and community events. By raising awareness, society can reduce the stigma associated with visual impairment and promote inclusion and accessibility.
Provide Accessible Information – Visually impaired people face challenges in accessing information, such as reading printed materials. Society can provide accessible information by using large print, braille, audio, and digital formats. This can include information in public places, such as bus stops and train stations, as well as online resources.
Improve Accessibility – Society can improve accessibility for visually impaired individuals by providing accessible facilities and infrastructure. This can include installing tactile paving, audio signals, and braille signs in public places. Society can also promote the use of assistive technologies, such as screen readers and magnifiers, to enhance accessibility.
Support Services – Society can support visually impaired individuals by providing specialized services such as rehabilitation, education, and employment support. Rehabilitation services can help visually impaired individuals to learn new skills and adapt to their environment. Education support can help visually impaired students to access education and training opportunities. Employment support can help visually impaired individuals to find and maintain employment.
Volunteer – Society can volunteer their time and resources to support visually impaired individuals. This can include volunteering with organizations that support visually impaired individuals, such as guide dog training centers, braille libraries, and advocacy groups. Volunteers can also provide support to visually impaired individuals in their local communities, such as helping them with grocery shopping or reading mail.
Visual impairment is a significant challenge faced by many individuals in Singapore. Society can play an important role in supporting visually impaired individuals and improving their quality of life. By raising awareness, providing accessible information and infrastructure, supporting services, and volunteering, society can promote inclusion and accessibility for visually impaired individuals in Singapore. By working together, we can create a more inclusive and supportive society for all. Check out iC2 Prephouse, a Singapore visually impaired community, for their activities including visual impairment charities.
