Low vision rehabilitation services: the Saskatchewan experience.
From a suitcase carrying various magnifiers in 1955, the Saskatchewan Low Vision Clinic has enlarged -- and the affiliated Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) has slimmed down through provincial amalgamation and budgetary cutbacks. Now, aids range from magnifiers to closed-circuit televisions, new technologies can be obtained on loan from the CNIB, and some financial assistance is available. Because Saskatchewan is still comparatively rural, with 60% of the population distributed throughout the province outside the two major urban areas, access to low vision services can be a problem. Increasing use of specialized counsellors, however, is helping deal with specific needs, and we hope to add psychologists, occupational therapists, and social workers as money is available.
Gilmour
George R
GR
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK. duke597@shaw.ca
D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006298:Health Services Administration; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs; D012525:Saskatchewan; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019987:Persons with Visual Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*