On admission to a residential rehabilitation program, blind clients with previous psychiatric diagnoses or psychiatric/psychological treatment had more symptoms of distress than did those without such histories. However, staff ratings at the beginning and end of rehabilitation indicated no differences between these groups in skill, attitude, and overall adjustment, and all clients improved significantly during rehabilitation. Accordingly, neither a history of psychological disorder nor test scores indicating severe emotional discomfort should exclude participation in residential rehabilitation for blind people, provided that the program includes adequate psychological services.
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