Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Research Question for congenital blind people and people who become blind later in life (self.Blind)
submitted by wendyfdz
Hi!
I am a senior electrical engineering student and I am working on a research project about social interactions by congenital blind people and people who developed blindness later in life. I do not know much about the topic, that is why I would like to hear your experiences and opinion. My main question is what is the importance of "eye contact" for blind people?
I have noticed that some blind individuals make "eye contact" while talking but others blind people don't.
Do you consider "eye contact" relevant? If so, is this a challenge for you? Is this harder for congenital blind individuals or individuals who developed blindness later in life? Do you feel making or not "eye contact" has any influence on your social interactions?
Thank you very much for your help.
I am a senior electrical engineering student and I am working on a research project about social interactions by congenital blind people and people who developed blindness later in life. I do not know much about the topic, that is why I would like to hear your experiences and opinion. My main question is what is the importance of "eye contact" for blind people?
I have noticed that some blind individuals make "eye contact" while talking but others blind people don't.
Do you consider "eye contact" relevant? If so, is this a challenge for you? Is this harder for congenital blind individuals or individuals who developed blindness later in life? Do you feel making or not "eye contact" has any influence on your social interactions?
Thank you very much for your help.
Tensoon_the_kandra 1 points 5y ago
I have been legally blind for quite a few years now and have been unable to see people's faces for about 3 years now. I don't think that making eye contact is something that blind folks really think about much. If you went blind later in life you just turn your head towards someone when they address you, it is polite and you have done it your whole life, so why would you stop when you go blind.
I can't really speak for folks that were born blind though. I knew a few kids that were born blind growing up, and they rarely made the effort to turn their head towards you when you address them. I don't think it is something they would lose sleep over though, I don't think they are uncomfortable with making eye contact, I think they are just unaware or forgetful of the social convention.
I can't really speak for folks that were born blind though. I knew a few kids that were born blind growing up, and they rarely made the effort to turn their head towards you when you address them. I don't think it is something they would lose sleep over though, I don't think they are uncomfortable with making eye contact, I think they are just unaware or forgetful of the social convention.
Ramildo 1 points 5y ago
I'm 35, had sight until 2014, and have never understood the point of eye contact, especially when the person is too close and is breathing right into your nose.
KillerLag 1 points 5y ago
Not blind, but I do work with a lot of blind people, and teaching eye contact is something that comes up. It mostly comes up for congenitally blind children, who aren't aware that eye contact is a thing, although it can happen to children who lose their vision later in life (the muscles to hold up the head aren't used as often, and the head starts to droop). Most people who lose their visions as adults and have no other issues usually don't have this issue, their muscle tone is sufficient to keep their head up.
One of the main reasons congenitally blind children don't do eye contact much is they don't feel there is a need for it. We point out that while it is a social convention, there is another reason for eye contact as well. When the head is hanging down, the voice is aimed downwards, and due to being children, their height is likely shorter than others they talk to. As a result, it is harder for the adults to hear them. By looking at roughly where a person's face is, they are project their voice more clearly and be heard easier. Additionally, it helps for hearing as well, but not to a huge degree (unless someone is talking very quietly, you should be able to hear them).
One of the main reasons congenitally blind children don't do eye contact much is they don't feel there is a need for it. We point out that while it is a social convention, there is another reason for eye contact as well. When the head is hanging down, the voice is aimed downwards, and due to being children, their height is likely shorter than others they talk to. As a result, it is harder for the adults to hear them. By looking at roughly where a person's face is, they are project their voice more clearly and be heard easier. Additionally, it helps for hearing as well, but not to a huge degree (unless someone is talking very quietly, you should be able to hear them).
wendyfdz [OP] 1 points 5y ago
Thank you very much for your reply KillerLag. Do any of your patients have expressed to you any kind of social discomfort because of being unable to make eye contact at some point in their lives? Could you please recommend me any further reading about eye contact for blind people? I am pretty interested in the topic and I would like to learn more about it. In addition, could you please let me know about some specialized school or programs for blind people where this is taught?
I also wonder how hard is eye contact for people who became blind in their adulthood in terms of accurately finding others by their voice? I will imagine that in some sense the auditory abilities of a congenitally blind person is more developed than someone who newly became blind. How reliable are the auditory skills of a blind person at this point, especially to make eye contact with others while they talk?
I also wonder how hard is eye contact for people who became blind in their adulthood in terms of accurately finding others by their voice? I will imagine that in some sense the auditory abilities of a congenitally blind person is more developed than someone who newly became blind. How reliable are the auditory skills of a blind person at this point, especially to make eye contact with others while they talk?
KillerLag 1 points 5y ago
In the US, you can check with the Hadley school. I learned about it in my O&M training.
I've found that once people started trying, locating the voice wasn't too difficult. It didn't have to be staring right into their eyes, the general vicinity seemed to be enough.
I've found that once people started trying, locating the voice wasn't too difficult. It didn't have to be staring right into their eyes, the general vicinity seemed to be enough.
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