What have been the biggest difficulties that the corona virus pandemic has brought about for those who are visually impaired?(self.Blind)
submitted by K-Plant
I am currently in my final year at The university of Westmister, London and i am focusing my final major project on aiding the visually impaired during the pandemic with the use of AR. I am not visually impaired myself and don't want to start designing my project based off of articles I have read online, I would love to hear from people who do physically experience it.
I am interested in finding out what some of the difficulties you have faced during these times and if there is anything that could be done to make it better?
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Many thanks in advance!
Hallowss3 points2y ago
As with the other comments I've struggled with getting to the right room in hospital appointments - I had a few annoyed nurses - and with shopping as I struggled to stay 2m away from people or follow the markers, my local supermarkets wouldn't allow me to bring a guide, and some refused to help me. I also noticed that public transport was easier because it was quiet enough to hear the stop announcements and less busy, although social distances on buses is a nightmare
My lectures got moved over to zoom, which was surprisingly difficult! I think a lot of lecturers had so much else to do that describing images etc for me just slipped their minds I also struggled with my guest lectures refusing to accommodate me both with online and face-to-face teaching, which wasn't a problem before
K-Plant [OP]1 points2y ago
Thank you for posting! This is all very helpful information! May i ask what course it is you are studying?
Hallowss2 points2y ago
I'm studying textiles!
CosmicBunny973 points2y ago
Social distancing, since social distancing markers aren’t tactile. I’ve heard some people struggle to get access to priority online shopping for groceries and such. Also you may be judged for touching stuff, but I don’t care about that. You may struggle to get assistance, support workers and sighted guides. Organisations possibly struggled to get services - I would recommend talking to them and asking about what they did and how their clients felt. On the other hand, I’ve found everything going on Zoom amazing. Very accessible and decreased social isolation. This is all coming from an Australian perspective, and my state wasn’t hit particularly hard either so life’s been normal for the most part.
K-Plant [OP]1 points2y ago
Thank you so much for your reply! very useful information, I will be actively watching this thread , so if you have any other inputs, please feel free to post!
siriuslylupin62 points2y ago
Similar things also shopping apps slots get taken up really quick. And really early so that’s another problem.
K-Plant [OP]1 points2y ago
Thank you for your reply, Very useful stuff, Do you have any suggestions on how this could be made easier? Also if you have any other suggestions, please do not hesitate to continue posting on this thread!
siriuslylupin62 points2y ago
Can’t think of any.
What about talking self check outs so people can just do it themselves and then leave and no need to worry about standing in line social distance?
KillerLag2 points2y ago
Many of my clients are older, and need to make hospital/medical care visits. However, many places don't allow other people to come in with them, which makes it difficult for the client to travel sometimes (or even for translation). Some places are more lenient than others and it isn't always consistent.
K-Plant [OP]1 points2y ago
Thank you for the reply! This is why I have come to reddit for help! Please if you have any suggestions on what could be done to make this easier or if there are any other ways that the pandemic has maybe made tasks more difficult please don't hesitate to comment on this thread, I will be actively monitoring for the next few weeks!
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