1. This could be a thread all on it’s own. Just don’t do it, earn your employer’s trust, and you’ll be fine.

2. Yes, nobody want’s to be included or treated like they’re not an average person.

3. See your second question. Treat her like she is just another person.

4. No I haven’t. The best advice I can give you is to communicate with her. Explain where you’re coming from and why you want to know these things. Tell her that this is a new situation for you. Finally remember she isn’t a blind person just a person who happens to be blind. Being blind may be a part of who she is but hopefully it doesn’t define her.

1) More times than I have the need/want to write out. Oddly enough it's other people who think my blindness affects me being able to understand things.
2) Yes, because they should. I am an average person
3) that I'm a regular average person just like you are. I have the same wants and needs as everyone else.
4) No, I don't need one. I'm capable enough to live without one.

Sighted person who used to help care for a blind woman.

1. Don't underestimate blind people. They're no less intelligent than anyone else. When you say they "cannot understand many things," that doesn't sound right. Either English is not your first language, and you're not doing a good job of communicating what you mean, or you're being unjustifiably condescending.

2. Yes, she did. She felt the same way you do when you get treated like an average person.

3. What I've seen people in this subreddit say over and over again is, don't force your help on them. Don't touch them unexpectedly. If you see someone walking outside, assume they're capable. Don't grab them and guide them. If you see someone who looks like they might need help, ask them before doing anything, including before touching them.

4. I'm assuming the answers will be as varied as they might be with sighted people. People are people, so you're likely to get the same types of stories about personality clashes and such.

As others have written, some of what you wrote may be a matter of wording in English. But since you're writing in English, please pay attention to the phrasing in the replies.

I'm a sighted person developing assistive technology for blind people, so I think I'll answer just the first two questions:

1. Blind people understand whatever you would, albeit by different means sometimes. Rather than being taken advantage of, the problem I hear from blind friends more often is that sighted people will do silly things out of ignorance that are meant to help but are actually annoying. For example, a friend of mine who is a white cane user in an urban area has people yelling "Careful!" at her when she passes by stairwells, even if there was no danger of her turning, walking several steps without her cane, and falling down the stairs. Or when she crosses a street, a sighted person may grab her elbow without asking and then try to "help" her across.
2. **Blind people ARE average people**. **Blind people ARE normal people.** Start there. What you might ask is "Have you ever been treated as if you were a sighted person?" since that's the only difference.

Questions 3 and 4 make sense for blind folks to answer.


Please see the "Other Resources" links in the right, such as the "FAQ for Sighted People," which I'll also paste here:

$1

1. Rarely have issues here. I am a very aware attuned to my surroundings type of person, very present. So no issues. Very capable person. I understand many things so yeah.... can’t take advantage of me or it’s very difficult.


2. I think I am pretty average. Maybe not average blind person, but when it comes to general human being. Probably not very special at all haha! In self development I am always a fairly common type. So meh. If I was to be treated as dumb that would be a huge issue and you bet I am going to say something react sharply and be very assertive/aggressive about it.

3.that we are competent. That each person has a lot of differences just like everyone else. The average blind person can kind of be sheltered. So yeah.... not me but yeah, a lot of them. Sometimes stunted in many ways.

4. No thanks no need for such a person. They’d most likely get in my way and infuriate me. Not a very patient person. I think if I had one, imagination here. I would only need you to help if I specifically have asked and do only when told.

Basic answer to all of these is to ask her.
Everyone is different and want different things from people.
You’ll get answers from here for sure, but until you ask the woman you’re working for- you won’t get it right

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