Healthcare access for the blind?

[arelius]

I'm trying to find some information about the blind culture and one section I'm responisble for is access to healthcare. Specifically how this culture might access health care for: prevention, chronic illness, accidents or crisis. Things like what kind of health insurance are they eligible for in the U.S. or California? Medicaid, SSI, SSDI, etc...? What do they do different or what are differences in the way they would access healthcare if there are any? Do they get free healthcare provided by the government (disability insurance)?

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

here are some links for you to check out:

american foundation for the blind - http://www.afb.org/

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10052.html - about medicare benefits for the blind. medicare, ssi, and disability are all processed and handled through the social security administration

http://www.afb.org/section.asp?sectionid=3&topicid=32&documentid=525 - how the americans with disabilities act impacts the blind

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/dtffaq.html - information about telecommunications relay services (trs)