German Visually Impaired Day

According to an extrapolation based on figures from the World Health Organization (WHO), there are more than one million visually impaired people in Germany. In order to draw attention to the needs of these people, the DBSV (German Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired) introduced its own day of action in 1998: Visually Impaired People's Day, to draw attention to the situation and concerns of people with visual impairments under the motto "I see as you don't see". It takes place annually around June 6 on a specific theme.

Far too often, a visual impairment remains invisible in everyday care - it is not recognized.

The risk of eye disease increases with age. In German care homes for the elderly, around half of residents have visual problems and often a visual impairment is not recognized as such. This is shown by the OVIS (Ophthalmologic Care Research in Retirement Homes) study conducted by the Foundation of the German Ophthalmological Society.

The aim of the Visually Impaired People's Day is to draw attention to the needs and problems of people with visual impairments. The events provide information on medical therapy options, the range and supply of aids such as visual aids, self-help groups, barrier-free working on the computer, rehabilitation of visual impairments and barrier-free design of the environment through contrast and lighting.