visually impaired

USAGE SUMMARY

"visually impaired" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person who is partially or completely blind. For example: "The school provided special assistance to its visually impaired students to help them keep up with their studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Today in Malawi, the practice is that when you are visually impaired, for instance, they take you to a visually impaired-only school, or school for the needy.

The Guardian

All players are visually impaired.

The Guardian - Sport

Is it for the visually impaired?

The New Yorker

He is visually impaired but not blind.

The New York Times

He is visually impaired and developmentally delayed.

The New York Times

For services to visually impaired people abroad.

The Guardian

* Three visually impaired mice, three visually impaired mice.

Independent

Goalball is a sport for visually impaired athletes.

The Guardian - Sport

Blind and visually impaired people can also have problems.

The Guardian

Five-a-side football is reserved for visually impaired players.

The Guardian - Sport

She was a dedicated teacher of the visually impaired.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about individuals with visual impairments, prioritize person-first language (e.g., "a person who is visually impaired" rather than "a visually impaired person") to emphasize their identity as individuals.

Common error

Avoid making broad generalizations about the capabilities or needs of people who are "visually impaired". Recognize that visual impairment exists on a spectrum, and each individual's experience is unique.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "visually impaired" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, typically referring to a person or group of people. It describes the condition of having a reduced or complete loss of vision. Ludwig examples confirm its common usage across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "visually impaired" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe individuals with partial or complete vision loss. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business writing. When using this term, it's important to prioritize person-first language and avoid making broad generalizations. Alternatives such as ""partially sighted"" or ""vision impaired"" may be suitable depending on the context. Remember that visual impairment exists on a spectrum, and individual experiences vary greatly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vision impaired

This alternative uses a different noun to describe the state of impaired vision, maintaining a similar level of formality.

sight impaired

Similar to "vision impaired", this uses "sight" as the noun, offering a slight variation in wording.

partially sighted

This term specifies the degree of visual impairment, indicating that the person has some vision but it is limited.

low vision

This phrase focuses on the condition of having limited vision, often used in a medical or technical context.

with limited sight

This alternative emphasizes the limitation of sight, rather than the impairment.

with impaired vision

This rephrases the concept using a prepositional phrase, changing the sentence structure.

having visual challenges

This is a more euphemistic and person-first way to describe visual impairment, emphasizing the challenges faced.

with a visual disability

This term uses the broader term "disability" to describe the visual impairment, suitable in contexts discussing disability rights or accommodations.

experiencing vision loss

This phrase highlights the process of losing vision, rather than the state of being visually impaired.

suffering from visual impairment

This alternative emphasizes the negative impact of the condition, suggesting a degree of suffering.

FAQs

How can I use "visually impaired" in a sentence?

You can use "visually impaired" to describe someone who has partial or complete loss of sight. For example, "The organization provides resources for people who are "visually impaired"".

What are some alternatives to "visually impaired"?

Some alternatives to "visually impaired" include "partially sighted", "vision impaired", or "low vision", depending on the specific context and degree of vision loss.

Is it better to say "visually impaired person" or "person with visual impairment"?

It is generally preferred to use person-first language, such as "person with visual impairment," as it emphasizes the individual rather than defining them solely by their condition. However, ""visually impaired" person" is also acceptable.

What is the difference between "blind" and "visually impaired"?

"Blind" typically refers to complete or near-complete vision loss, while ""visually impaired"" encompasses a broader range of vision loss, including those with low vision or partial sight.