Overview

Individuals who are blind and visually impaired are no different than those who are fully sighted - they share the same desire to live, work and play within their community. However, misperceptions about blindness have created barriers for many with visual disabilities to fully engage in employment and other life activities.

David Darm, Walter Blackmon, and Adam Gaffney giving a See Different presentation.
David Darm, Walter Blackmon, and Adam Gaffney giving a "See Different" presentation.

The Division of Blind Services is working to change these perceptions through the "See Different" Initiative by helping people to see blindness from a different perspective and recognize the opportunities these individuals bring to Florida's communities. This is being accomplished through interactive forums, where individuals who are blind and visually impaired are hosting activities to show, not just tell, how they have overcome barriers to independence. These activities include:

We invite you and your organization to be part of this exciting experience! There are a variety of groups that have benefited from participating in these forums, including schools, businesses, college and university programs, faith-based groups, and state and local governmental organizations. We have a team of professionals around the state that will work with each group to facilitate a forum at their site. And we tailor each presentation to meet the specific interests of the audience.

By helping more people in the community to "See Different," we will create more opportunities for individuals who are blind and visually impaired to live, learn, work, play, and succeed alongside their sighted peers. We hope you will join us in this effort! For more information, please contact us at (850) 245-0300 or send an E-mail to SeeDifferent@dbs.fldoe.org.

Audience at a See Different presentation. Front table has blindness related devices on display..
Audience at a See Different presentation. Front table has blindness related devices on display.

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DISCLAIMER: Links on the Florida Division of Blind Services (DBS) website that are directed toward websites outside the DBS, provide additional information that may be useful or interesting and are being provided consistent with the intended purpose of the DBS website. DBS cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by non-DBS websites. Further, providing links to a non-DBS website does not constitute an endorsement by DBS, the Florida Department of Education or any of its employees, of the sponsors of the non-DBS website or of the information or products presented on the non-DBS website.