The Reality of the Dream: Present Status of a Sample of 98 Totally Blind Adults

Abstract

This study of 98 totally blind adults analyzes nine characteristics of sample members (i.e., sex, race, age, education, vocational rehabilitation, marital status, onset of blindness, type of school attended, and social network size) to determine their relationship to total family income, employment status, and independence skills. The findings show that for the majority of members in this sample the reality of the dream of full participation in the society falls far short of realization: As in the larger society, it is young, married, well-educated white males who are most successful. An unexpected finding was the extent to which education at a state school for the Blind was associated with adult employment success.