The blind and social deprivation.

Abstract

This contribution discusses a sociological investigation- till now the most extensive one of this kind in the Fed. Rep. of Germany- conducted by the author, with the aim of collecting information about the social deprivation of the blind by means of a survey of this group of disabled in the Fed. Rep. of Germany. In this respect three spheres were taken into consideration: (1) Different aspects of the social relations among the blind: statements regarding frequency, intensity and mode of contacts have shown that the blind often have contact among themselves, though they mainly have contacts to the non-disabled, primarily as a consequence of their being involved in a seeing environment. (2) Different aspects of the social relations between the blind and the seeing: statements to the different characteristics of deprivation make evident that the blind, with regard to the sociological aspect, have an outsider position. The discussion, among other things on the topics "possibilities of communication and interpretation" as well as "mobility" and "social acknowledgement", has shown that the blind persons violate certain rules prevelant among the seeing namely the usual standards of communication and interaction. (3) Further aspects for the interpretation of the social situation of the blind: statements to blindness and other kinds of disabilities make obvious the revaluation of the blind's outsider situation by comparing blindness with other kinds of disabilities. The social deprivation of the blind thus assumes a relative character. Finally, the results of the investigation are theoretically classified by means of a behavioristically influenced role analysis.