Personally, I don't have an issue with it if the intent isn't to harm. It's a useful bit of language, saying something like "they're blind to the fact..."

That being said, if you can use alternative language, opt for it if you'd like! Avoid things like "handicapped" or "crippled by..." and you'll be good.

Thank you for asking, and know there will be some who get upset and some who don't care, but often it's intent that harms far worse than the words chosen.

People have said that you should avoid "handicapped" and "crippled". You should also avoid "midget" and "-bound" (as in "wheelchair-bound"). Obviously "retarded" is also a no-go. Everything else is fine.

https://reddit.com/r/Blind/comments/higfkk/are_blind_people_offended_by_the_use_of_blind_to/

No. This is the third post this week about this.

I usually snicker and say, "Well, that's default mode for me, so nothing changes," or, "Hah, now you all have to play on my level." Never really offends me, just gets a short chuckle.

No. Infact I hate the word ableist lol. Just sounds weird to me. But no. Only thing I get annoyed about is people saying to someone who's not blind something like look over there. No, there. Are you blind? I usually respond there not but I am. Makes them confused.

No, it's quite the opposite. Language, including metaphors, is neutral. It has evolved over time to suit the needs of its users, us. ALL OF US. Should you start avoiding to use ALL the resources language provides us with because a person with a disability or an impairment MIGHT be offended, you most certainly will offend all of us/them. You'd be treating us as if something that is neutral would hurt us, offend us. You think we are weak? To be coddled? If yes, pardon my Chinese, fuck you and your ilk. Most damage done to me and my mental health in the present context is by people who thought i needed to be treated as if I was helpless, and required special considerations every fucking step of the way.

So don't watch your language, please.

And sorry for my harsh language but this is something that makes me furious. I am a linguist, I love language and languages and all they represent. Especially English and its intriguing subtleties, i.a. the abundance of ingenious metaphors. Don't fuck with anything I love or I'll be coming for you.

Peace.

"Blind" simply means "can't see." Any driver has a blind spot that the mirrors don't cover and has been "blinded" by oncoming headlights that were left on high-beam. Anyone who's been in a blizzard had experienced "blinding snow." There are times when *any* given person has been unable to see for some reason or another. It's just more common for some of us than for others.

TL/DR: Meh.

If you're around a blind child, I'd avoid using "blind' in a metaphorical sense as it kinda bugged me as a kid when I heard people say it that way

No, Those frazes don’t bother me.

I personally think those metaphors are fine. I grew up hearing them and not being weirded out by them.

Mind you, I’ve been visually impaired since birth and living with my disability is fairly painless at this point. Someone who recently lost their eyesight or is in the process of losing it might feel differently.

I'd rather you express yourself freely, and those who are upset can come have a reasonible discussion about what you said. I'm only 28 years old, but I for sure remember the good old phrase, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me".

In our house, we would laugh at you for your hyper sensitivity.

I don't have a problem with it personally, but I also don't think the issue is so much whether it's offensive, as whether it promotes certain negative views and stereotypes in sighted people. So long as the usage is clearly metaphorical it probably shouldn't, but I'd opt for using clearer language if possible. Sighted people already think blindness is worse than death, so maybe not contributing to that further would be good.