Over the past 30 years or so there has been an increased recognition that a substantial number of people who are visually impaired have additional impairments. Increased recognition has been accompanied by the introduction of new methods and technologies. Other contributors to this special issue (BJVI, 15.3, September 1997) share these new approaches with readers. This Paper asks why there has been an increased recognition and describes some of the social perspectives and changes that may have helped to shape attitudes towards people with visual and additional impairments.
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