Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Would this offend anyone? (self.Blind)
submitted 7y ago by DatArabGuy
Hello, my first time posting here. I have always been curious as to how blind people get around, and I was wondering if it would offend anyone if I were to blindfold myself and use a walking stick and go about my daily duties. I believe it will give me a different perspective and is something new to learn. Any and all input is appreciated, thank you.
fastfinge 7 points
I wouldn't be offended. However, you won't get the experience of what it's really like. I was born blind, and I started getting training on how to use a cane when I was five years old. I've also been trained on how to listen to landmarks around me, how to memorize routes when traveling, how to judge distance based on how fast I'm walking, and so on. If you just blind-fold yourself tomorrow, without any of the techniques actual blind people have learned, you will find things much more difficult and scary than a blind person would. It could also be extremely dangerous for you; do you know how to cross the street safely when you can't see the light? You can do it, but it takes some practice, with a good teacher to correct you when you get it wrong. Be careful! I also know Braille and how to use a computer without sight, and these are both skills I use every day in my job. Can you do your job without reading or writing anything?
If you really want to do this, my advice to you would be to start simple. For example, try and make dinner blind-folded. You probably already know your way around your own kitchen extremely well, so it will make it easier for you to learn to get around with the blind-fold on. You also probably already know how to cook dinner, so you can focus on the new experience of doing it blind. But it isn't going to be easy! I hope you have the recipe memorized, or that you already know Braille, because you can't read it while blind-folded. Did you put markers on your oven and microwave? Because if not, you can't set your timer or set the temperature while you're blind-folded. How are you going to measure things? Hopefully you have a container with raised markings so you can tell how much of something you poured. Once you've successfully managed to cook dinner while blind-folded, move on to another task. This way, you will quickly get the idea of what it's like to be blind. You can do absolutely anything you want, as long as you have a good plan, and are prepared properly. But if you don't have a plan, and haven't taken steps to master blindness, you won't get anywhere at all.
If you really want to do this, my advice to you would be to start simple. For example, try and make dinner blind-folded. You probably already know your way around your own kitchen extremely well, so it will make it easier for you to learn to get around with the blind-fold on. You also probably already know how to cook dinner, so you can focus on the new experience of doing it blind. But it isn't going to be easy! I hope you have the recipe memorized, or that you already know Braille, because you can't read it while blind-folded. Did you put markers on your oven and microwave? Because if not, you can't set your timer or set the temperature while you're blind-folded. How are you going to measure things? Hopefully you have a container with raised markings so you can tell how much of something you poured. Once you've successfully managed to cook dinner while blind-folded, move on to another task. This way, you will quickly get the idea of what it's like to be blind. You can do absolutely anything you want, as long as you have a good plan, and are prepared properly. But if you don't have a plan, and haven't taken steps to master blindness, you won't get anywhere at all.
snazzychica2812 3 points
This is the correct answer. I'm working on my graduate degree for teaching cane skills, and we recently spent a whole weekend simply learning how to be guided by someone else while under blindfold. It took us a full day to learn to sort socks. Cane training is six hours a day for a month, and honestly that's not that much compared to how much training we give to actual blind people.
In the field of education, we generally recommend against sudden blindfolding and walking because it's scary! People then start to think that being blind is horrifyingly scary and disabling all the time, when in reality it's all many people have ever known and for a well-trained blind person it is only pretty much only scary when there is a present danger (just like for a sighted person).
Trying to do simple, safe tasks is definitely the way to begin if you want to understand blindness. Fold laundry. Try getting dressed. Shower without lights on. It can be very eye-opening (ha) but the above poster is absolutely right--for your own safety you definitely want to start small.
In the field of education, we generally recommend against sudden blindfolding and walking because it's scary! People then start to think that being blind is horrifyingly scary and disabling all the time, when in reality it's all many people have ever known and for a well-trained blind person it is only pretty much only scary when there is a present danger (just like for a sighted person).
Trying to do simple, safe tasks is definitely the way to begin if you want to understand blindness. Fold laundry. Try getting dressed. Shower without lights on. It can be very eye-opening (ha) but the above poster is absolutely right--for your own safety you definitely want to start small.
impablomations 1 points
> Cane training is six hours a day for a month, and honestly that's not that much compared to how much training we give to actual blind people.
Wow, I wish I had got even that!
My guide cane 'training' consisted of "hold it diagonally in front of you". Support for people who lose sight in later life is woefully dire in the UK.
Wow, I wish I had got even that!
My guide cane 'training' consisted of "hold it diagonally in front of you". Support for people who lose sight in later life is woefully dire in the UK.
snazzychica2812 1 points
Oh gosh. We generally reserve diagonal technique for people who have either enough residual vision that they only need to know about drop-offs, curbs, etc. or we use it for people who are unable to use proper two-point touch technique either because of physical or mental difficulties. Often used with older people who have wrist or hand weakness and can't swing a cane. Our system in the states has a lot of problems too though, so you're in good company!
impablomations 1 points
I do have some limited vision on my right side, but in low light or at night time outside that dissapears too.
The 'training' also took place without a cane, as she forgot to bring it. I ended up buying my own as she never came back, and the cane never arrived that was supposed to come.
I could be using it all wrong, I don't know, as I've pretty much had to teach myself how to use it.
The 'training' also took place without a cane, as she forgot to bring it. I ended up buying my own as she never came back, and the cane never arrived that was supposed to come.
I could be using it all wrong, I don't know, as I've pretty much had to teach myself how to use it.
geoffisblind 1 points
That is very unfortunate, has it always been this way? Are there any efforts to amend this?
impablomations 1 points
AFAIK it's been like this for quite a while.
As for efforts to fix it, not at the moment. With the govts 'austerity' measures, there is even less funding than before - with the disabled schemes among the hardest hit.
It's down to local charities to pick up the slack, and my local one is pretty useless. When I first lost my sight I contacted them as at the time they had the support contract award by the local County Council - they lost my details 3 times before someone finally came to see me 4 months after my sight loss.
A horrible old lady who must have been close to 80, tried to insist I got rid of my cats, was adamant that I needed to wear dark glasses (I don't), gave me my 30 seconds of cane 'training' (without a cane as she forgot to bring it) and spent more time talking about her grandson that whatever help the charity could provide.
1 year later I'm still waiting for the cane (I bought my own on Amazon). Now the council awarded the Blind services contract to a company based 100+ miles away and the guy I'm assigned to has to leave his house at 7am to make the 200 mile round trip if I need to see him.
I know it's better in other parts of the UK, but around here Blind support is virtually nil.
As for efforts to fix it, not at the moment. With the govts 'austerity' measures, there is even less funding than before - with the disabled schemes among the hardest hit.
It's down to local charities to pick up the slack, and my local one is pretty useless. When I first lost my sight I contacted them as at the time they had the support contract award by the local County Council - they lost my details 3 times before someone finally came to see me 4 months after my sight loss.
A horrible old lady who must have been close to 80, tried to insist I got rid of my cats, was adamant that I needed to wear dark glasses (I don't), gave me my 30 seconds of cane 'training' (without a cane as she forgot to bring it) and spent more time talking about her grandson that whatever help the charity could provide.
1 year later I'm still waiting for the cane (I bought my own on Amazon). Now the council awarded the Blind services contract to a company based 100+ miles away and the guy I'm assigned to has to leave his house at 7am to make the 200 mile round trip if I need to see him.
I know it's better in other parts of the UK, but around here Blind support is virtually nil.
Unuhi 1 points
Where can you study that? In US (or online)
I'd love to study something like (I get lost indoors in unfamiliar buildings all the time, don't always see the walls is an understatement. First, I would definitely need to learn more skills for my own needs, second... I'd love to train others.
I seem to comfuse people whem I read the braille doorsigns.
I'd love to study something like (I get lost indoors in unfamiliar buildings all the time, don't always see the walls is an understatement. First, I would definitely need to learn more skills for my own needs, second... I'd love to train others.
I seem to comfuse people whem I read the braille doorsigns.
snazzychica2812 1 points
If you want to learn to train others, there are a few colleges with the program. I'm doing it as a master's degree at Texas Tech. It's mostly online but with a few on-campus experiences, and then the month ish of cane training. I believe UMASS Boston has a program as well. Where do you live?
Unuhi 1 points
Austin Tx.
Lots of blind training stuff over here. :)
Lots of blind training stuff over here. :)
impablomations 1 points
Depending on where in the US you live, you may find a local organisation who can help on our Wiki page.
https://www.reddit.com/r/blind/wiki/organizations/usa
https://www.reddit.com/r/blind/wiki/organizations/usa
DatArabGuy [OP] 2 points
Wow, that's very detailed. I never thought of it this way, I will do my best to do that. Thank you.
[deleted] 1 points
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