BISM Logo, blue and gold compass icon with modern styled letters reading BISM Empowering the Blind Community, employing, educating, training.

Facts about Blindness

Simple Definition of Legal Blindness

Visual acuity less than 20/200 

AND/OR a visual field of 20 degrees or less 1

70% of Blind Working-age Adults are Unemployed

Full-time employment opportunities for blind working age adults in the US remain low. 2

111,000 in Maryland are Blind

Number of individuals in Maryland who are blind 3

This equals the same number of students in Baltimore County Public Schools 4

Drivers Must Yield Right of Way

All 50 states plus DC have laws that require drivers to yield the right of way to a person traveling with a white cane.

Only Blind and Low Vision People May Carry a White Cane

You see more blind people today walking alone because we have learned how to make our own way in the world. Independent travel is a skill that unlocks the doors to personal freedom.