Programs for Blind Diabetic Clients at a Rehabilitation Center

A workable diabetic program has been developed over the past three years in response to individual needs of blind diabetic clients at the Minneapolis Society for the Blind's Rehabilitation Center. Among the components of this program are ongoing cooperation with local diabetes groups, the services of a nurse-consultant, the use of a diabetic profile sheet, development of housing and medical resources and of teaching kits for insulin measurement and urine testing, and specific program accommodations for the diabetic. Special stress is placed on the idea of diabetes as a primary speciality, along with blindness, with commensurate education of staff in the area of diabetes. Accommodation to each diabetic as a separate and unique individual with separate and unique symptoms, control measures, and needs is seen as a critical necessity.