VCU Counseling Services Vol. Services are rendered to many different types of visually impaired students from the entire state of Virginia.
Visual impairment can range from partial vision to total blindness.
As the leader of a Cope Group for visually impaired students at the center, I have noted a number of issues that are common across nearly a dozen groups. In many cases, the intentions of the sighted are honest and well meaning but lack insight into the blind experience, hence efforts inadvertently may offend. Recent advances in technology have enabled many blind students to attend college, and social exposure to blind students no doubt will increase in future years. Reflections are based on actual comments and complaints from visually impaired students who participated in the Cope Group. One of the most common complaints from group members is that they are treated as if they are stupid.