Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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The world feels inaccessible now (self.Blind)
submitted by Vicki7789
So, I was able to get back to my sport this past Saturday. After a great session on the ice, I went with a couple of friends to the coffee shop close by to the rink. It's within a supermarket, and it was here that I realized that the world just isn't as accessible to me post lockdown. My friends told me about a one way system through the town, so I'm now not confident to go into town alone, for fear of going the wrong way. Social distancing is obviously still a thing, and I'm now struggling to recognise people from a distance due to masks. The supermarket had separate entry and exit points, but the exit wasn't well signposted or obvious. So I had to walk back to my friend and ask her how to get out of the place. I'm so glad I'm working from home and only going out once a week, because the world feels a lot less accessible right now, and I'm not used to that, I'm low vision so usually I can get by OK. Is it just me? Or are others feeling the same way, too?
Shyanneabriana 16 points 2y ago
You’re definitely not alone
I rely on the bus and have been terrified to leave my house
I rely on the bus and have been terrified to leave my house
UpsideDownwardSpiral 10 points 2y ago
I am new to having low vision, and haven't gone out of the house much at all. Lockdown and my vision loss kind of coincided for me, so I have to adjust to both.
I think getting a cane will help. Especially to be recognized as visually impaired so people will understand more easily that I might need something pointed out to me, or at least be understanding if I get within their distance bubble.
It all seems so complicated.
I think getting a cane will help. Especially to be recognized as visually impaired so people will understand more easily that I might need something pointed out to me, or at least be understanding if I get within their distance bubble.
It all seems so complicated.
saharacanuck 5 points 2y ago
That is really shitty timing. I’m sorry you’re going through this. Are you getting some mobility training? Being taught to use the cane etc?
UpsideDownwardSpiral 6 points 2y ago
>Are you getting some mobility training? Being taught to use the cane etc?
Not currently, but I will. I have been evaluated by a low vision specialist and referred to a program to do this, as well as occupational rehab and life skills, etc. I'm still holed up at home, the school isn't doing much right now due to the pandemic and I have a heart condition that would make getting COVID especially dangerous for me.
Not currently, but I will. I have been evaluated by a low vision specialist and referred to a program to do this, as well as occupational rehab and life skills, etc. I'm still holed up at home, the school isn't doing much right now due to the pandemic and I have a heart condition that would make getting COVID especially dangerous for me.
saharacanuck 3 points 2y ago
Good luck with all the new changes and learning and adapting etc.
_Night_Wing 8 points 2y ago
Same but I'm not going to let those inconveniences lock me in any more than lockdown requires. Also, I have a special dark spot of hatred in my heart for PLEXIGLASS. I despise that stuff.
Chaserly 8 points 2y ago
Definitely feeling this, I’ve actually avoided going to the supermarket for this very reason. I used to very independent pre-lockdown, but in NYC people aren’t afraid to call you out. The last thing I want is to be yelled at while shopping at the supermarket.
saharacanuck 5 points 2y ago
I’m high partial (I guess) and I’m feeling less comfortable. To make things worse, there are more unapologetic cyclists on sidewalks/foot paths. Total assholes. (Cyclists in pedestrian spaces make me so angry). But also, masks throw me off, both in terms of recognising people and in terms of seeing clearly. It’s like having a scarf around my face, it throws something off and I can’t quite put my finger on it. My sense of space and balance aren’t the same. I have a harder time focusing on what I am supposed to be focusing on.
Rokwind 3 points 2y ago
ya buddy this always happens. the people with good vision never think about the blind when planning things. I rember when all supermarkets had the same layout. this layout was to help the blind. Then some people thought to change it up to attract more patrons but this change up made grocery stores more difficult for the blind. Dont even get me started on bestbuy and their removal of the hard flooor paths. now that place is all carpet and i to work harder to get around. personally i think that people are so fearful of becoming blind that they become blind to blindness. Because if you dont see it it doesnt exist right?
DrillInstructorJan 3 points 2y ago
It's a shit storm. If you have enough vision to get around and you find yourself accidentally going against floor arrows, or whatever, maybe that's the time to carry a cane so people will get what's going on. I don't think anyone's going to jump on you for that.
I have people I mentor that I usually see a couple of times a week if I can and I saw one of them for the first time for five months the other day, and that's not been great for either of us, so you aren't the only one.
I have people I mentor that I usually see a couple of times a week if I can and I saw one of them for the first time for five months the other day, and that's not been great for either of us, so you aren't the only one.
BlindasaurusRex 2 points 2y ago
Grabbing one of those Social Distancing support Aid Lanyards may help people notice you and help you out. It just lets people know you have an issue with noticing the rules set out. might be enough to get some help instead of being moaned at.
_uphill_both_ways 2 points 2y ago
Is this a UK-only initiative? I hadn’t heard of it before, but it looks useful. https://www.opensight.org.uk/social-distancing-support-aid-lanyards
BlindasaurusRex 2 points 2y ago
I am not sure, If you had some help you may be able to fasion yourself one, just need a lanyard.
wnolan1992 2 points 2y ago
Grocery shopping is now a really stressful experience for me. Other than the stuff I know I want and can easily identify because of obvious packaging, I've always had to pick stuff up off shelves to examine it closely. For obvious reasons, this is now potentially risky. The shops I can afford to shop at don't do delivery and I don't like to bother staff because they're overworked as it is. Plus, part of me enjoyed just browsing when I was getting groceries pre-lockdown. It was, I dunno, something I could do to feel like a "normal" person for a while.
Just another thing on the list that bloody sucks about everything right now.
Just another thing on the list that bloody sucks about everything right now.
achromatic_03 1 points 2y ago
It seems like when disaster hits, everyone not in the majority goes out the window, as well as all of our other efforts like environmentalism. The first time I went into my usual grocery store, I asked the employee at the entrance if there is anything I need to know written on signs because i'm visually impaired. I feel bad for those who have hearing impairments, too, with masks making lip-reading impossible for them.
Drunken_Idaho 1 points 2y ago
Have to admit, it hasn't been great.
I'm getting by but stuff is harder. Ubers used to get here in 5 or 10 minutes and now take 30 to 45 if there are any at all. I haven't gotten in one in a while. Luckily my wife drives but I know its hard for people.
I'm totally blind and wearing a mask makes shit sound weird even though it doesn't cover my ears. I dunno, just meh.
I'm getting by but stuff is harder. Ubers used to get here in 5 or 10 minutes and now take 30 to 45 if there are any at all. I haven't gotten in one in a while. Luckily my wife drives but I know its hard for people.
I'm totally blind and wearing a mask makes shit sound weird even though it doesn't cover my ears. I dunno, just meh.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
Yes, I quite agree. I use to be very very independent and stuff of this nature even traveled to the east coast by myself but haven’t done much outside by myself mostly do to all of what is going on so I understand..
Mysterybanjo 1 points 2y ago
I’m feeling the same, even the bus is confusing because they’ve got yellow tape everywhere and I can’t figure out what’s happening
Autumnwood 1 points 2y ago
I'm pretty sure everyone is feeling it. We walk in the neighborhood and I exercise at home. We go to the grocery store early as possible. That's it. Lots of places here are still closed. I wonder how some businesses are doing paying their rent on the storefronts, being closed for so long.
Apocalyptias -4 points 2y ago
Even for us sighted folks, everything feels like it's inaccessible.
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