RESEARCH CONCERNING SENSORY DEPRIVATION AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO PERSONALITY VARIABLES AND SUBSEQUENT BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE CHANGES IS REVIEWED. THREE LIMITATIONS OF THE CONGENITALLY BLIND ARE LISTED (1) RESTRICTION IN THE RANGE AND VARIETY OF EXPERIENCES, (2) DEFICITS IN THE ABILITY TO MOVE ABOUT, (3) DEFICITS IN THE CAPACITY TO CONTROL THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE SELF IN RELATION TO IT. SEVERAL POSSIBLE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THESE LIMITATIONS OF THE CONGENITALLY BLIND AND CERTAIN TRAITS THEY EXHIBIT ARE EXPLORED--(1) BLINDNESS AND AUTO-EROTICISM, (2) LOWERED OBJECT RELATIONS AND NARCISSISM, AND (3) FANTASY. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SENSORY DEPRIVATION AND CREATIVE THOUGHT IS DISCUSSED. THE REHABILITATION COUNSELOR, KEEPING IN MIND THE FUNCTIONAL NATURE OF THESE TRAITS IN THE BLIND, MUST (1) DESIGN PROGRAMS TAKING THE TRAITS INTO ACCOUNT, (2) USE MULTISENSORY TRAINING TO FACILITATE MEANINGFULNESS OF LEARNING SITUATIONS, (3) EMPHASIZE CREATIVE VOCATIONS SUCH AS DESIGNING, MUSIC, AND ADVERTISING. A REFERENCE LIST OF 19 ITEMS IS INCLUDED. (RS)