The Visual Devices Program allows visually impaired persons to obtain a loan of visual aids for reading, writing, mobility and carrying out everyday domestic activities.
Clientele
Persons with a visual impairment insured under the Québec Health Insurance Plan.
General requirements
Due to his or her visual impairment, the person must be permanently unable to carry out one or more of the following activities:
- read;
- write;
- move around in an unfamiliar environment; and/or
- carry out activities in keeping with their lifestyle or social roles.
Visual deficiency for each eye, after correction by means of ophthalmic lenses, must be characterized by the following:
- visual acuity of less than 6/21;
- visual acuity equal to or less than 6/18, if the person has a degenerative vision problem, a visual impairment, a physical deficiency (motor, hearing or speech) or an intellectual deficiency;
- a continuous visual field of less than 60°, including the central fixation point measured horizontally or vertically; or
- complete hemianopia (reduced vision or blindness in half of the visual field).
Restrictions
These requirements do not apply to persons who use special optic systems and additions greater than four diopters.
Specific conditions applying to students and employed workers
Students and workers may be entitled to additional aids if they are in one of the following situations:
- is a full-time student or is deemed to be a full-time student pursuing recognized studies according to norms whose application comes under the responsibility of the ministère de l’Éducation, de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche;
- receives training to have access to a professional order;
- receives training under an Emploi-Québec program with a view to holding paid employment;
- is learning to read or write French or English under a program under the responsibility of the ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration;
- begins a process of obtaining or returning to paid employment; or
- needs such aid to keep paid employment or gain advancement at work.
The user does not have to pay for purchasing, replacing or repairing visual devices, the cost of which is reimbursed by the to the accredited centres that loan them.
Visual devices made available on loan to all eligible persons include:
- reading aids, such as digital readers, closed-circuit television systems, optical systems and calculators;
- writing aids, such as braillers;
- mobility aids, such as white canes, electronic obstacle detectors, and night vision goggles; and
- aids for everyday and domestic activities, such as magnifying mirrors, sound ranging, measuring tape, etc.
In addition, financial aid of $210 may be granted for acquiring a guide dog. This includes assistance of $1,028 per year for the cost looking after the dog.
The following aids are also covered for eligible students and workers:
- computer aids: computer, braille display and printer;
- reading aides: audiotape, optical telemicroscope system and computer-compatible closed-circuit television system; and
- writing aids: electronic braille typewriter; and
- mobility aids: electronic obstacle detector and satellite geopositioning system.
The Visual Devices Program started in November, 1977.
