Discussion of the Title of Visual Impairments from the View of Special Education

Background/Objectives: To examine the meaning of changing the title of visually impaired persons and the title of special school for the visually impaired from the view of special education. Methods/Statistical Analysis: The significance of the title of the visually impaired persons was discussed by analyzing laws related to special education including Act on the Promotion of Education for the Handicapped, Act on the Special Education for the Disabled Persons, Act on Welfare of Persons with Mental and Physical Disabilities, and Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities and curricula of 12 special schools for the visually impaired. Findings: Visually impaired persons engaged in various economically independent jobs thanks to people’s belief in their special ability such as the supernatural and foreknowledge. The titles of special school for the visually impaired have been controversial. So the Ministry of Education ordered to change the name of special school for the visually impaired in 1990. But, some special schools for the visually impaired didn’t change their names. Their reasons were first, the title for the blind did not give hate, second, when the name of school for the blind was changed, school for the blind was not simply distinguished from general special school, and third, common people could accept the title of the blind more easily. Application/Improvements: The title of a group is important. More important is to improve its social and economic status. Even a great title can be changed over times.