Vision loss in Indiana and the big picture of DEIA

Lise Pace March is Disability Awareness Month in Indiana, a time to reflect on the importance of creating accessible and inclusive spaces for people with vision loss across the state. A recent study by Ohio State University found that 38% of older people who are blind or visually impaired have an annual income of less than $20,000. That’s $50,000 less than the average household income in Indiana. Not only is this population suffering a financial disadvantage, but a majority of them report having an overall less happy life and are ridden with health issues.& Among Indiana’s& older population with vision loss, 38.1% reports frequent physical distress compared to 16.4% of Indiana’s younger population, and older people who are blind or visually impaired have a higher prevalence of stroke, arthritis, diabetes, kidney disease and depression. The elderly blind or visually impaired population also reports having double the amount of frequent mental distress compared to Indiana’s population under 65. As executive vice president of Bosma Enterprises, I think these numbers are both staggering and heartbreaking. At Bosma, we work tirelessly to combat these issues by providing services to older adults experiencing vision loss that impact their daily living. These programs teach seniors...