Rehabilitation of Blind Persons in Rural India

Describes a five-year research and demonstration project which trains and assesses the effectiveness of “barefoot” rehabilitation workers. The workers, all raised in rural villages in south India and familiar with the social structure of rural areas, received a few weeks of intensive training, including instruction in eye health care, basic mobility, daily living, and manual dexterity. Learning from experience, regular refresher courses, and project reviews increased their skills. The principal objective of rehabilitation was integration of blind individuals into family and community life. Results to date show service was delivered at costs low enough to be feasible in a developing nation.