November ’01 Patients And Clients who are blind or

Visually Disabled

A training for Nurses and Clinicians

I’m Dave Plassman. This training is brand new and it’s my particular pigeon. So the five parts of this presentation spell

SQUAB

Simple assumptions are the best starting point.

Questions are always in order when assumptions are not.

Unfamiliar is the best description of individuals, no matter how well we understand the group to which they belong.

Appropriate behavior and cooperation should be expected from your client regardless of visual acuity.

Beliefs concerning blindness are plentiful and commonplace but which are correct, which are opinion and which are individual choice?

I hold a Master’s degree in Adult Education from Western Washington University where I wrote most of my term papers on math, science, technology education for women and girls. I wrote my thesis on job-seeking success of college grads who happen to have disabilities.

I worked for two and a half years in a clinical setting at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham, with chemically dependant folks. As part of my graduate work I worked for a time with domestic violence victims and also interned as a career counselor. I’ve worked as a job developer and as a rehab consultant.

My B.S. Degree, (U.W. ’76) was in Engineering with a strong Journalism minor. Now I work as a pregnant women’s social worker in a state agency. Oh yes, I’ve been blind since age five. One of the R.F.P. premies in the mid fifties, I lost one eye at birth. The other eye succumbed to an accident in 1959.

Though this interactive presentation is designed especially for medical and psychological care providers, it can be useful to anyone who deals with sightless persons in her/his vocational or avocation life. Material is treated with "serious lightheartedness" and effort is made to represent all viewpoints. The presenter is not affiliated with any specific disability organization. Our training should leave both you and me with something new to ponder.

Dave Plassman B.S.A.A. Q.C.D.C. M.Ed.

764-5613 (work)

765-0191 (home)