Blinde Menschen in der Ostmark

This study presents various aspects of the circumstances of blind people`s lives in the "Ostmark" under the nazi regime, such as the economic and social situation. Legal, medical and gender aspects are also taken into consideration. Therefore, both nazi legislation and the reasons for loss of sight are equally part of the investigation. The aim was to gain detailed insight into the living conditions of blind people of that time. At the same time, it was explicitly part of the scientific investigation to bring out unanswered questions, which were partly due to the fragmentary sources, and to show scope for possible further research. The investigation focuses on a limited period which starts with the beginning nazi rule in the "Ostmark" in 1938 and ends with the nazi regime`s final capitulation in May 1945. Developments outside this period are dealt with if this is necessary for interpreting or categorizing findings. Under the nazi regime blind people were separated into three main groups: blind civilians, the war blinded and blind people of jewish origin. Even since the time of the First World War there had been a two-class system of blind civilians and blinded ex-servicemen. Due to the nazi regime`s anti-jewish policy, blind jewish civilians and veterans were persecuted. In addition to that, under the nazi regime there was a strong segregation among blind people. By comparing the lives of blind civilians, the war blinded and blind people of jewish origin, new insights could be gained into the national socialist social policy and previously unknown connections are shown. The thesis is based on source material from Austria, Germany and Israel. Its value lies in the fact that previously unknown source material could be found and known source material was interpreted from a different point of view. The study is a shortened version of the thesis from the author, who was honored in 2011 by an "Irma-Rosenberg-Förderpreis".