Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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What questions are you asked the most as a blind or vision impaired person? (self.Blind)
submitted by Kathryn_mcp
I used to work with people of varying levels of blindness and low vision and I always enjoyed hearing what the general public wants to know about being blind or vision impaired.
Being VI myself, I get some head scratching questions, but I am always interested in what others are asked and how you answer.
My top three would probably be:
\- What happened to your eyes? (My pupils are a different shape, more of a keyhole shape rather than a circle).
\- What / how much can you see?
\- Can I pat your dog?
Usually they are asked in that order too haha!
Being VI myself, I get some head scratching questions, but I am always interested in what others are asked and how you answer.
My top three would probably be:
\- What happened to your eyes? (My pupils are a different shape, more of a keyhole shape rather than a circle).
\- What / how much can you see?
\- Can I pat your dog?
Usually they are asked in that order too haha!
Keiracat1337 13 points 2y ago
Sadly as of late, I have not been asked some nice questions. But I think I handled them quite well, as the person asking was in my opinion just uneducated on the matter rather than being completely mean.
\- Why do you have a phone if you are blind?
I have a google assistant that helps me find things, or text/ call my family. (Then I would get the phone to do something as proof)
\- Why are you here? (I was in a corn maze yesterday with my family.)
Well, this is a family event. I refuse to let my blindness stop me from being with them. And they all have maps. So I just follow them.
\- If you can't see... why do your eyes move?
Well, they do that sometimes. Even for people who are born blind. I was not, and used to use my eyes to find what was making a noise. Sometimes my brain still tries to use them because it was taught all the way up until I lost them.
\- If you are blind, why do you shield your eyes from the sun? (Which is directly in my face)
Blindness, just like with many other health issues, has different levels. I can still see light and dark. Some color. I still call myself blind though because without my cane I would walk into everything. Some people see nothing at all. Some see almost a pixelated view of the world.
Sometimes people ask things, and a good bit of them do not understand how mean their words are. Honestly. The best thing I have found is to just give a simple explanation as if you were talking to a small child. Most people get it and learn from the experience.
\- Why do you have a phone if you are blind?
I have a google assistant that helps me find things, or text/ call my family. (Then I would get the phone to do something as proof)
\- Why are you here? (I was in a corn maze yesterday with my family.)
Well, this is a family event. I refuse to let my blindness stop me from being with them. And they all have maps. So I just follow them.
\- If you can't see... why do your eyes move?
Well, they do that sometimes. Even for people who are born blind. I was not, and used to use my eyes to find what was making a noise. Sometimes my brain still tries to use them because it was taught all the way up until I lost them.
\- If you are blind, why do you shield your eyes from the sun? (Which is directly in my face)
Blindness, just like with many other health issues, has different levels. I can still see light and dark. Some color. I still call myself blind though because without my cane I would walk into everything. Some people see nothing at all. Some see almost a pixelated view of the world.
Sometimes people ask things, and a good bit of them do not understand how mean their words are. Honestly. The best thing I have found is to just give a simple explanation as if you were talking to a small child. Most people get it and learn from the experience.
BlueLionOctober 8 points 2y ago
Hey as a sighted person that's why I lurk this sub so I don't end up asking people dumb questions. Its like I imagine you probably get a lot of questions about what it's like to be blind whereas each of these people asking you questions has probably only asked them once.
Keiracat1337 2 points 2y ago
It's a really good idea to look into things on your own about health conditions. Like obviously don't self diagnose. But enough to understand what could be going on. I recently had to do a lot of research into blind canes. I had no idea, but the colors and markings on them each have their own meaning, according to Google. It makes me wonder what else is out there to learn.
As far as the whole "what's it like to be blind" questions. I really don't mind answering those. I know I can't see people's reactions but I can hear it. I would have to find it again but there was a video of someone asking a born blind person to draw something in 3d. Yeah they are blind so it was not a masterpiece, but they drew perfect 3d walls. It blows people's minds to realize how much we can tell without our eyes. Like from the smallest change in sounds, I can roughly guess how big a room is. Not in measurements, but simple terms. Big and open. Small and narrow.
The biggest no no to ask is how someone became blind. And so far I have never been asked that. So I don't think people ask things to be mean. They just have never had any experience with these things. And their mind is catching up.
As far as the whole "what's it like to be blind" questions. I really don't mind answering those. I know I can't see people's reactions but I can hear it. I would have to find it again but there was a video of someone asking a born blind person to draw something in 3d. Yeah they are blind so it was not a masterpiece, but they drew perfect 3d walls. It blows people's minds to realize how much we can tell without our eyes. Like from the smallest change in sounds, I can roughly guess how big a room is. Not in measurements, but simple terms. Big and open. Small and narrow.
The biggest no no to ask is how someone became blind. And so far I have never been asked that. So I don't think people ask things to be mean. They just have never had any experience with these things. And their mind is catching up.
oncenightvaler 1 points 2y ago
I don't really consider that a no-no, but maybe it's just because I've always been blind from birth?
BlueLionOctober 1 points 2y ago
I kind of feel like it's easy to understand what being blind is like. Just close your eyes for a bit. I tried using screen readers for a bit to see what it was like. It seems so fricking hard.
anbvega 10 points 2y ago
"How can you use your phone if you are blind?"
"What can and can't you see?"
"Is your suddenly visual loss temporary?"
The one that hurt me the most was
"Are you sure you have visual impairment/blindness? because you seem perfectly fine for a blind person."
🙂
"What can and can't you see?"
"Is your suddenly visual loss temporary?"
The one that hurt me the most was
"Are you sure you have visual impairment/blindness? because you seem perfectly fine for a blind person."
🙂
TheNewMe20 8 points 2y ago
> Is your dog a he or she?
>
> What is her name?
>
> How old is she?
>
> How long have you had her?
This is in regard to my guide dog. I've had this exact conversation probably hundreds or thousands of times over the years.
>
> What is her name?
>
> How old is she?
>
> How long have you had her?
This is in regard to my guide dog. I've had this exact conversation probably hundreds or thousands of times over the years.
guitarandbooks 5 points 2y ago
Most people ask great questions like how do you use technology, how do you cook, how do you teach guitar? Stuff like that. I am more than happy to answer questions...most of the time.
However... They say there are no stupid questions...I beg to differ. Here are some of the most ridiculous questions I've been asked over the years in no particular order, and no, I heard these multiple times;not just once. I've put my answers in parentheses.
Are you like that daredevil guy? (Yes. I am. Every blind person is but we're not allowed to talk about it. Now you know a closely guarded secret.)
Do you do that clicky echo thing to find where you're going? That's so cool. I wish I could do it! (No, I do not do that. I happen to think it's pretty strange. The equivalent would be a sighted person walking around with a crayon shoved up their nose expecting the people around them to think they are perfectly normal.)
How do you shave if you can't see what you're doing? (The next time you're shaving, simply go through your regular routine with your eyes closed the whole time. DISCLAIMER: I am in no way responsible for any injuries one may receive by doing this.)
How do you have sex when you're blind? (Very well actually. Thanks.)
How do you know the weather outside if you can't see out the window? (You read or listen to the forecast, then, you go outside. Once you step outside, you'll have a pretty freaking good idea of what the weather is;no sight required.)
I had somebody come over to my place and she asked the following after coming in through the front door: "Wow. It's so dark in here. How do you manage things with no lights on?" I'm totally blind...and she was aware of this fact.
Finally, my guide is retired now but I've been in situations where a total stranger starts asking me all sorts of questions about my guide. That's fine...except for the fact that most times, they don't ask a single question about me! I want to say "Hey man, yes, the dog is cool and interesting but so is the human holding his harness handle!"
However... They say there are no stupid questions...I beg to differ. Here are some of the most ridiculous questions I've been asked over the years in no particular order, and no, I heard these multiple times;not just once. I've put my answers in parentheses.
Are you like that daredevil guy? (Yes. I am. Every blind person is but we're not allowed to talk about it. Now you know a closely guarded secret.)
Do you do that clicky echo thing to find where you're going? That's so cool. I wish I could do it! (No, I do not do that. I happen to think it's pretty strange. The equivalent would be a sighted person walking around with a crayon shoved up their nose expecting the people around them to think they are perfectly normal.)
How do you shave if you can't see what you're doing? (The next time you're shaving, simply go through your regular routine with your eyes closed the whole time. DISCLAIMER: I am in no way responsible for any injuries one may receive by doing this.)
How do you have sex when you're blind? (Very well actually. Thanks.)
How do you know the weather outside if you can't see out the window? (You read or listen to the forecast, then, you go outside. Once you step outside, you'll have a pretty freaking good idea of what the weather is;no sight required.)
I had somebody come over to my place and she asked the following after coming in through the front door: "Wow. It's so dark in here. How do you manage things with no lights on?" I'm totally blind...and she was aware of this fact.
Finally, my guide is retired now but I've been in situations where a total stranger starts asking me all sorts of questions about my guide. That's fine...except for the fact that most times, they don't ask a single question about me! I want to say "Hey man, yes, the dog is cool and interesting but so is the human holding his harness handle!"
DrillInstructorJan 2 points 2y ago
That's a really interesting question. How DO you teach guitar? I've had a couple of experiences recently trying to teach someone who is also blind. I can't see what she's doing, she can't see what I'm doing, and it is a complete pain.
I'm not a proper teacher anyway I'm just someone who does it for a living so I'm probably using all kinds of bad techniques.
I'm not a proper teacher anyway I'm just someone who does it for a living so I'm probably using all kinds of bad techniques.
UpsideDownwardSpiral 5 points 2y ago
I haven't had much contact with other people since I lost my vision (Thanks, COVID) so I haven't really gotten any questions like this in person- also because I don't "look blind", and have enough vision that I can struggle through not using a cane for the time being.
But online it's
"How do you use the internet?"
"Do you have a guide dog?"
"Are you really blind?"
But online it's
"How do you use the internet?"
"Do you have a guide dog?"
"Are you really blind?"
Kathryn_mcp [OP] 4 points 2y ago
Ah yes, I can completely understand not "looking blind" enough to need mobility aids or a little more assistance.
When I am in public with my Guide Dog I can hear people refer to me as a trainer of my dog, not the handler.
Living in the grey area of 'not fully sighted, but not totally blind either' can be difficult with public perception.
If you need someone to talk to, don't hesitate to reach out!
When I am in public with my Guide Dog I can hear people refer to me as a trainer of my dog, not the handler.
Living in the grey area of 'not fully sighted, but not totally blind either' can be difficult with public perception.
If you need someone to talk to, don't hesitate to reach out!
UpsideDownwardSpiral 6 points 2y ago
I've only really had one really awkward experience in public with 'not looking blind'
I went to the grocery store for the first time in months, and had my roommate drop me off so I could go in alone- kind of to test myself, and feel a little independence. I had a lot of trouble actually finding the things I wanted, and when I was in the produce section I decided to ask an employee who was stocking some things for some help. It went like this-
Me: Hi, do you work here?
Emp: \*stares at me silently\*
Me: Can you show me where the mangoes are?
Emp: \*points in a direction\*
Me: I'm blind...
Emp: Haha, no problem
Me: No. I am actually visually impaired. Can you show me where the mangoes are??
Emp: Oh. ok.
Emp: \*quick;y and silently walks to the other side of the produce section\*
Me: \*Tries to follow him and proceed to run into someone's cart, stumble over a box that was on the ground and almost knock over a display of tomatoes. But finally get to where he is standing.\*
Emp: \*Watches me while I look for a produce bag to get some mangoes\*
​
I didn't ask anyone else for any help after that fucking fiasco.
I went to the grocery store for the first time in months, and had my roommate drop me off so I could go in alone- kind of to test myself, and feel a little independence. I had a lot of trouble actually finding the things I wanted, and when I was in the produce section I decided to ask an employee who was stocking some things for some help. It went like this-
Me: Hi, do you work here?
Emp: \*stares at me silently\*
Me: Can you show me where the mangoes are?
Emp: \*points in a direction\*
Me: I'm blind...
Emp: Haha, no problem
Me: No. I am actually visually impaired. Can you show me where the mangoes are??
Emp: Oh. ok.
Emp: \*quick;y and silently walks to the other side of the produce section\*
Me: \*Tries to follow him and proceed to run into someone's cart, stumble over a box that was on the ground and almost knock over a display of tomatoes. But finally get to where he is standing.\*
Emp: \*Watches me while I look for a produce bag to get some mangoes\*
​
I didn't ask anyone else for any help after that fucking fiasco.
cupcake6740 3 points 2y ago
These situations are always so frustrating. I am a cane user so it’s kind of like uh.. there’s this almost 5 foot stick that says I’m blind how do you miss it EVEN after I say it blind. I’ve had this kind of this happen so much and so often people get annoyed they have to actually move. I usually say oh, I can follow you if you walk close or you can give me very detailed verbal directions. Usually they just choose to walk close so I can follow the color of their shirt with my body and cane. Even had someone take my cane like they were walking me like I was a dog. Independence is great but definitely leads to stuff like this.
Ah and the comment of “where’s your caretaker / person”. I hate this one.
Ah and the comment of “where’s your caretaker / person”. I hate this one.
blindchickruns 2 points 2y ago
Aww. The caretaker question. My answer is always, "I'm blind, not stupid."
Disclaimer- I am by no means implying that everyone that needs a caretaker is stupid. For me, it's more like pointing out how dumb the question was using myself as the possible stupid person.
Disclaimer- I am by no means implying that everyone that needs a caretaker is stupid. For me, it's more like pointing out how dumb the question was using myself as the possible stupid person.
TwoSunsRise 1 points 2y ago
I know someone that goes to the store and walks to a cash register (they can hear the dings) and ask for shopping assistance. He may have to wait a few minutes but he'll get someone to personally shop with him and help him check out. Goes pretty smoothly.
UpsideDownwardSpiral 2 points 2y ago
My new plan is calling ahead to get it sorted beforehand
oncenightvaler 1 points 2y ago
maybe next time you could either order groceries online, or call ahead see if you could tip someone to help you with your groceries. I frequently go to the convenience store and drug store in my neighbourhood and always ask for the specific things I need, but I am totally blind.
DrillInstructorJan 4 points 2y ago
"Are you really blind," without a doubt. Apparently I don't look it, which I take to mean I have pretty normal body language. I can't make eye contact so I presumably just look like I'm really rude and inattentive. I don't mind if people can tell, they'll know immediately if we have more than the most fleeting interaction, but I guess if I have to look any particular way, I'd rather look normal.
Then we move on to was I always blind (no) when did it happen (May 10th 1998) and what's it like.
What do you think it's like...
Then we move on to was I always blind (no) when did it happen (May 10th 1998) and what's it like.
What do you think it's like...
oncenightvaler 2 points 2y ago
Just a funny aside: So I posted on the Ask Me Anything subreddit /r/ama I mean, encouraging people to ask me a person who had been totally blind from birth anything they wanted explained.
about half of the questions were: How are you reading this and writing your responses? Apparently nobody has heard of screen reading text to speech programs? But also you would think that after the question was answered once, that people would move on to other questions?
p.s. also looking forward to getting new Braille display screen next month.
about half of the questions were: How are you reading this and writing your responses? Apparently nobody has heard of screen reading text to speech programs? But also you would think that after the question was answered once, that people would move on to other questions?
p.s. also looking forward to getting new Braille display screen next month.
AllHarlowsEve 2 points 2y ago
- Why is your phone screen black? Is it on? Why is it facing away from you?
- Are you really blind? You don't look blind.
- How do you make eye contact if you're blind?
- How many fingers am I holding up?
- What's your shirt say? or Do you know what you're wearing?
- When are you getting a dog?
Online, I get
- If you're REALLY blind, how are you on Reddit/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/whatever site
- How do you know when you're done wiping?
- How much do you see?
- Are you really blind? You don't look blind.
- How do you make eye contact if you're blind?
- How many fingers am I holding up?
- What's your shirt say? or Do you know what you're wearing?
- When are you getting a dog?
Online, I get
- If you're REALLY blind, how are you on Reddit/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/whatever site
- How do you know when you're done wiping?
- How much do you see?
ybs90012 1 points 2y ago
Don't tell them you are blind
[deleted] 2 points 2y ago
How do i use technology or the Internet. I literally blow a fuse now over it.
[deleted] 2 points 2y ago
Well, partially sighted person here. Am sometimes asked questions about my vision and why I sometimes use a cane (too self conscious to use a cane daliy)
Cheezepretzels 2 points 2y ago
For me, it’s usually a mixture between snide remarks that I tend to overhear, followed by a question that I may eventually get asked. It ranges from people making a remark about how if I’m possibly blind, how can I do this, this, or this activity, have a phone, etc.
•Do you see better in the dark
•Are you really blind (Generally, this is after being accused of faking my condition.)
•Can’t you just wear glasses (No, my condition is degenerative)
•Can you get transplants
•How much can you see
•How many fingers am I holding up
•Would you ever wear an eye patch, because I’d wear an eyepatch if I were blind
•You look normal/fine, why do you have a stick
•Do you see better in the dark
•Are you really blind (Generally, this is after being accused of faking my condition.)
•Can’t you just wear glasses (No, my condition is degenerative)
•Can you get transplants
•How much can you see
•How many fingers am I holding up
•Would you ever wear an eye patch, because I’d wear an eyepatch if I were blind
•You look normal/fine, why do you have a stick
Kathryn_mcp [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Hahahha, I love the ‘how many fingers am I holding up?’ Question, quite often my response to that is : ‘Regardless of my answer, are you going to be able to determine what my answer means without any training?’
I’ve never been asked the eyepatch question though so that’s interesting, it would probably be beneficial for me 😂
I’ve never been asked the eyepatch question though so that’s interesting, it would probably be beneficial for me 😂
TheBlindBookLover 1 points 2y ago
I am surprised that I haven’t had people ask me if I can get an eye transplant as someone who is open about being a kidney transplant recipient. I now need to create a good come back for this question if/when it happens. What answer have you given in response? If it was a sarcastic response, what did you say?
Cheezepretzels 1 points 2y ago
I can’t think of any sarcastic responses I’ve given besides, “If glasses had worked, wouldn’t you think I wouldn’t need a cane”? Though, I have been thinking about responding with, “What does a blind person look like to you? Do you think I look too normal to have a condition that can sometimes be invisible to others”? Or, “A lot of disabilities aren’t visible”. I usually just try and educate them on my condition and blindness as a whole. Many people have so many misconceptions of blindness and visual impairments and don’t realize it’s all kind of on a spectrum. Not everyone’s condition is exactly the same. But it’s gotten to a point where I’ve been asked so many questions where I kinda wanna test these more snarky remarks out.
nowwerecooking 2 points 2y ago
How much can you see because you don’t look blind? (implying I’m faking it)
How many fingers am I holding up? Usually I just stick the middle finger up and ask them the same question lol
How many fingers am I holding up? Usually I just stick the middle finger up and ask them the same question lol
[deleted] 1 points 2y ago
How can you walk around without a cane? Are you lying about your vision problems?
And this last one isn’t a question, but it made me cry a lot after school. My teachers would usually tell me that they can’t enlarge the formats of the tests and other study matherials for me bacuse it will make other students jealous.
And this last one isn’t a question, but it made me cry a lot after school. My teachers would usually tell me that they can’t enlarge the formats of the tests and other study matherials for me bacuse it will make other students jealous.
katherinerose89 1 points 2y ago
"Can you drive?" is the most common. I do have some vision and barely make it to the cutoff for driving,
The rude questions I get are
"Is it contagious?"
"What did your mom do to make your eyes like that?"
"Why are you so close to the screen?"
The rude questions I get are
"Is it contagious?"
"What did your mom do to make your eyes like that?"
"Why are you so close to the screen?"
Kathryn_mcp [OP] 3 points 2y ago
The question about your mother is absolutely appalling. Whoever asks that is the scum of the earth.
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