A NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF PERSONS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS - IMPLICATIONS FOR OLDER ADULTS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS

The present study was designed to document the demographic characteristics of a sample of persons with visual disabilities and provide an index of their self-reported needs. An additional purpose was to determine whether the needs of the geriatric blind or severely visually impaired (over 70 years) differed in comparison to younger persons with visual disabilities. A needs assessment survey was administered to a sample of persons living in a metropolitan area who were visually impaired. The total sample was partitioned into four age groups, those less than 30 years, 30-49 years, 50-69 years, over 70 years. The results are discussed in terms of the special areas of need for persons with visual disabilities, in general and for older persons who are blind or visually impaired in particular. Implications for working with older persons with visual impairments are also suggested.