Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Tips for socially distancing when visually impaired? (self.Blind)
submitted by K-Plant
Hello, I was wondering if anybody has any good advice for social distancing when out in public? Are there any apps out there which can help?
FrankenGretchen 6 points 2y ago
Be prepared to feel like you're not really interacting with anyone because they're too far away. My comfortable interaction distance is close for non covid times and now? I have to remind myself that if I can see or hear them clearly I'm dead from their germs. The white cane helps but only as much as the people you come across care about their own health.
Autonomous travel is possible only if you accept the risks everyone else is taking in doing so. Deniers don't care who they infect.
There are no apps for this. It's too much privacy invasion and honestly, the ones who would violate SD would be the first to scream about that privacy invasion and then ignore whatever prompts the apps would give. As a legally blind/deaf traveler, the last thing I need is constant alarms for something I can't control that would possibly distract me from traffic or other cues I need to keep safe. Image standing on a train platform and you get squawks as you're listening for which train just rolled in.
My travel has shrunken to the grocery and other places I can walk to, during low-traffic hours, for planned run-throughs with no dawdling or family-facilitated drives to desperation destinations like doctors, vet or - very rarely- Michael's. This is not what I perceive as autonomous travel, mind. Our bus system is germ central with Umbrella Corp as the hub. It's just what has to be, right now.
Autonomous travel is possible only if you accept the risks everyone else is taking in doing so. Deniers don't care who they infect.
There are no apps for this. It's too much privacy invasion and honestly, the ones who would violate SD would be the first to scream about that privacy invasion and then ignore whatever prompts the apps would give. As a legally blind/deaf traveler, the last thing I need is constant alarms for something I can't control that would possibly distract me from traffic or other cues I need to keep safe. Image standing on a train platform and you get squawks as you're listening for which train just rolled in.
My travel has shrunken to the grocery and other places I can walk to, during low-traffic hours, for planned run-throughs with no dawdling or family-facilitated drives to desperation destinations like doctors, vet or - very rarely- Michael's. This is not what I perceive as autonomous travel, mind. Our bus system is germ central with Umbrella Corp as the hub. It's just what has to be, right now.
vwlsmssng 5 points 2y ago
Even though I (sighted) am accompanying a VI person, if my companion has a white cane then other people often take the hint and take action to give us space.
However there are plenty of other people who will find manoeuvring around us more challenging, e.g. an adult with children, much older people, and people with wheelchairs. In these cases we are the ones crossing the road to the other side or taking some other sufficient avoiding action.
There are also people who just don't care or are distracted, they can usually be identified by white plastic things in their ears or a blueish glow around their face from a closely examined rectangular handheld device.
So if you are heading out on your own and want to keep a safe distance from people then I can't think of an app that would help as well as a companion.
EDIT: white stick -> white cane, suggested by /u/blackberrybunny
However there are plenty of other people who will find manoeuvring around us more challenging, e.g. an adult with children, much older people, and people with wheelchairs. In these cases we are the ones crossing the road to the other side or taking some other sufficient avoiding action.
There are also people who just don't care or are distracted, they can usually be identified by white plastic things in their ears or a blueish glow around their face from a closely examined rectangular handheld device.
So if you are heading out on your own and want to keep a safe distance from people then I can't think of an app that would help as well as a companion.
EDIT: white stick -> white cane, suggested by /u/blackberrybunny
blackberrybunny 11 points 2y ago
I cringe every time I hear someone call it a "white stick." Please don't call it that-- it's a "white cane." I'm not trying to be an asshole, just trying to teach the correct name for it.
vwlsmssng 2 points 2y ago
No problem, "stick" does sound like something you throw for a pet dog to fetch and "cane" is more formal and respectable sounding. I'll edit the post.
blackberrybunny 3 points 2y ago
Yup., There ya go! :-D
Thanks for editing it. I appreciate that!
Thanks for editing it. I appreciate that!
blackberrybunny 2 points 2y ago
Awesome! Thank you. Doesn't that sound much better?
I can attest that using a white cane is definitely a way to get people to move out of your way. When I went to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, my white cane parted those thick crowds the way Moses parted the sea, LOL.
And if someone was going to be a jerk about it, a good crack on their ankle with that hard metal tip (oooops, sorry--I didn't SEE you!) really got their attention. LOL.
I'm sorry I can't help you with any apps for social distancing. This is a good question though..... Usually the sound of my metal tipped white can tapping along is enough to grab everyone's attention, and they move out of the way. But you would not believe the amount of people who completely spazz out and side-step or fumble, as they freak out and try to get OUT of your way, only for them to get MORE IN your way! Hahah!
The problem is, most people have never even met a blind person.... so they don't know what to do or how to act when they do see one, other than to stare. But that is out of curiosity. We are humans, after all, a naturally curious nature is with each of us.
I hope some others here can come along and have some ideas for you.
And thank you so much for changing 'white stick' to 'white cane.' I can't help but want to bring awareness to the sighted community, and so many people don't know what to call it. Of course, it looks like a white stick, sure....but it is called a white cane. :-)
I can attest that using a white cane is definitely a way to get people to move out of your way. When I went to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, my white cane parted those thick crowds the way Moses parted the sea, LOL.
And if someone was going to be a jerk about it, a good crack on their ankle with that hard metal tip (oooops, sorry--I didn't SEE you!) really got their attention. LOL.
I'm sorry I can't help you with any apps for social distancing. This is a good question though..... Usually the sound of my metal tipped white can tapping along is enough to grab everyone's attention, and they move out of the way. But you would not believe the amount of people who completely spazz out and side-step or fumble, as they freak out and try to get OUT of your way, only for them to get MORE IN your way! Hahah!
The problem is, most people have never even met a blind person.... so they don't know what to do or how to act when they do see one, other than to stare. But that is out of curiosity. We are humans, after all, a naturally curious nature is with each of us.
I hope some others here can come along and have some ideas for you.
And thank you so much for changing 'white stick' to 'white cane.' I can't help but want to bring awareness to the sighted community, and so many people don't know what to call it. Of course, it looks like a white stick, sure....but it is called a white cane. :-)
Criptedinyourcloset 4 points 2y ago
What I do and what I’ve heard from my teachers is, if your cane is touching them you’re too close. So just stay one cane length away. I know it’s not complete social distancing but it’s what works for me. And I just back up a bit if I bump into someone.
baistei 4 points 2y ago
I struggle too.
I don't work right now so I don't leave the house often. I get groceries delivered because that whole experience was way too much for me. I do go on walks and I like to run too. If I see any shapes moving near me, I cross the street if possible. I've had a few panicy moments where crossing wasn't possible, and I just awkwardly stand stand in a yard waiting for someone to pass me or I turn around and find s different route. I must look crazy. Luckily I don't live in a super congested area but it's still a city. I can't seem to figure out how not to fog up my glasses and I need sunglasses or red tinted glasses when it's bright out, so this has been an extra struggle too! Sometimes it's either glasses or mask if I get too foggy depending on the weather. I've tried all the tricks. If it's a super nice day, I probably won't bother walking since too many other people will be too. Sometimes I'll cross the road and then realize it was just a sign or someone's garbage out for garbage day and not a human at all.
I have no tips, obviously. But I'm here for them too.
I don't work right now so I don't leave the house often. I get groceries delivered because that whole experience was way too much for me. I do go on walks and I like to run too. If I see any shapes moving near me, I cross the street if possible. I've had a few panicy moments where crossing wasn't possible, and I just awkwardly stand stand in a yard waiting for someone to pass me or I turn around and find s different route. I must look crazy. Luckily I don't live in a super congested area but it's still a city. I can't seem to figure out how not to fog up my glasses and I need sunglasses or red tinted glasses when it's bright out, so this has been an extra struggle too! Sometimes it's either glasses or mask if I get too foggy depending on the weather. I've tried all the tricks. If it's a super nice day, I probably won't bother walking since too many other people will be too. Sometimes I'll cross the road and then realize it was just a sign or someone's garbage out for garbage day and not a human at all.
I have no tips, obviously. But I'm here for them too.
Amonwilde 3 points 2y ago
Maybe consider a brimmed hat? I've been finding them OK as a swap out for the sunglasses for a few minutes at a time. I use an Irish-style hat.
baistei 3 points 2y ago
Yes, I won't leave without one on a sunny day! I have achromatopsia so both are important.
Mokohi 1 points 2y ago
I've been wondering about this too, honestly. Like, I know stores have one way aisles right now, but I can never tell which way one goes because I can't read the stickers or see the arrows
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
You can’t as a blind person need help shopping that’s not distance there’s too many things. Don’t worry about it.
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