Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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What do you wish sighted people knew? (self.Blind)
submitted by MediocreConfused
Hello, everyone! I must say, I don't have any kind of visual impairment, but I recently became curious about other communities and how different people interpret the world. It is very easy to get stuck in a single perpective, and I want to be able to understand more.
tasareinspace 37 points 2y ago
I (sighted) was just talking to my (legally blind, teenaged) daughter about this the other day, and how most people who aren't involved with blind people don't realize how much of a spectrum blindness is. It's not just "perfect/correctable with glasses" vision vs. no light perseption. She told me she worries people will think she's "faking it" because she uses a cane at the corner store but can still pick out what candy she wants. She is completely blind in one eye and has nystagmus, and low vision in her "good" eye, so she struggles with depth perception and quick moving things, and has a narrower field of view than most people. So walking down the street she might trip on a curb or not see a car, or fail to notice someone gesturing to her. But in a well lit store with stationary objects directly in front of her that she can get close to, she does okay. You wouldn't KNOW she was visually impaired just looking at her, so she struggles with trying to navigate a world where people assume she's sighted, when she's actually not. And she's not just "not paying attention" either, something her grandmother gets on her case about because she assumes she can see a lot better than she can.
TL;dr: blindness is a whole range and someone who can see some stuff or under some conditions shouldn't be assumed to be faking it.
TL;dr: blindness is a whole range and someone who can see some stuff or under some conditions shouldn't be assumed to be faking it.
Thesauruswrex 17 points 2y ago
There is no current public school cirriculum that includes teaching non-disabled children about the blind, deaf, or other disabilities and their needs. That needs to change.
Why do blind people have to memorize a speech to recite when dozens of people come up to them asking about blindness? Why is that put on the blind people? It can be embarrasing, humiliating, inappropriate, and unsavory to ask a person about a personal medical condition resulting in disability. I don't ever go around asking people what their most personal medical condition is, when it started, and how it affects their daily life. So why do strangers walk up to the blind person that they don't know and start interrogating them about their disability?
It's because they have zero knowledge about the subject because it's not taught in schools.
Why do blind people have to memorize a speech to recite when dozens of people come up to them asking about blindness? Why is that put on the blind people? It can be embarrasing, humiliating, inappropriate, and unsavory to ask a person about a personal medical condition resulting in disability. I don't ever go around asking people what their most personal medical condition is, when it started, and how it affects their daily life. So why do strangers walk up to the blind person that they don't know and start interrogating them about their disability?
It's because they have zero knowledge about the subject because it's not taught in schools.
blackberrybunny 5 points 2y ago
I can sympathize with what you are saying about people asking about what life is like for you. I don't have a lot of people doing that to me, but when I do, I don't get angry. I feel it is up to me, as the blind person, to educate them on what it is like to be blind or legally blind. They honestly just don't know, because most people have never even met a blind person before. We are curious by nature. So they need to hear it straight from the horse's mouth, what it's like to be blind. Teach them. Show them. Take 5 minutes and educate them. Break down their preconceived erratic and illogical notions of what being blind is like. Don't think of it as being interrogated. Use it as an opportunity to quell their ignorance. It's your duty as a blind person to uphold the dignity of your fellow blind humans, by breaking down the ill conceived notions of the sighted people on this planet. Don't just do it for you, do it for all of us. Those who are blind, and those who can see. Teach them.
Thesauruswrex 2 points 2y ago
> but when I do, I don't get angry..
I don't get angry either. I didn't say that I got angry. It's irritating, annoying, and disrespectful.
> I feel it is up to me, as the blind person, to educate them on what it is like to be blind or legally blind
It's not up to you. You can do it if you want but people should have basic information of the type that you would provide taught to them in schools. Being blind does not come with any responsiblity to educate everyone that comes near you.
Besides, you or I might be leaving out key information that might make them understand better. We're not professional educators nor do we have experience on the couple dozen types of eye dysfunction that blind people expereince.
>They honestly just don't know
If you have hemorrhoids is it also up to you to educate a total stranger about your condition? How about your colostomy bag? Would you feel comfortable talking about your Erectile Dysfunction / Infertility to a stranger who comes up to you and immediately starts rapid firing questions about why your penis / ovaries don't work and how it makes you feel?
No.
Have you ever told someone that it's not your responsibilty to educate them on blindness - in a very nice way? Try it once. Just once. You might realize then what a burden of educational responsibilty has been placed on you, a disabled person, that should never have been.
I don't get angry either. I didn't say that I got angry. It's irritating, annoying, and disrespectful.
> I feel it is up to me, as the blind person, to educate them on what it is like to be blind or legally blind
It's not up to you. You can do it if you want but people should have basic information of the type that you would provide taught to them in schools. Being blind does not come with any responsiblity to educate everyone that comes near you.
Besides, you or I might be leaving out key information that might make them understand better. We're not professional educators nor do we have experience on the couple dozen types of eye dysfunction that blind people expereince.
>They honestly just don't know
If you have hemorrhoids is it also up to you to educate a total stranger about your condition? How about your colostomy bag? Would you feel comfortable talking about your Erectile Dysfunction / Infertility to a stranger who comes up to you and immediately starts rapid firing questions about why your penis / ovaries don't work and how it makes you feel?
No.
Have you ever told someone that it's not your responsibilty to educate them on blindness - in a very nice way? Try it once. Just once. You might realize then what a burden of educational responsibilty has been placed on you, a disabled person, that should never have been.
DrillInstructorJan 6 points 2y ago
Hemorrhoids or erectile dysfunction would be a bit of a false equivalency. Those are things that don't affect social situations (with some small but important exceptions of course!) and most people wouldn't even know a person had them.
I have never felt like anyone was rapid firing questions at me. I have had situations where people have wanted to make the conversation about it and I've done that for a bit then changed the subject, which would be a normal, polite, reasonable human reaction to talking about something you're a bit bored of talking about.
In the end, you can gripe about it, but nobody else is going to educate people. I'm sure everyone who's in some sort of unusual situation would love schools to cover it, but there are a lot of unusual situations. It's not just us. Trying to comprehensively cover every special interest situation in schools would mean spending huge amounts of time on it and I don't think that's really practical, nor would all that book learning really make much difference in reality when people have no personal experience of it.
In an ideal world should it be my problem to explain stuff? No of course not but we don't live in an ideal world and it's nobody's fault. You can whine and bitch all you like but I think you and I do have a responsibility to be an information source, to be accessible to people, to be a good representative. If you're all pissy about it then you're likely to create people who will be less comfortable and friendly if they meet me, and I'd rather you didn't do that, thanks.
Yes it gets old, yes it's a pain when you're busy and tired and you've already had the conversation five times that day, but there are nice and nasty ways to get out of it, and you can hardly complain about the way people relate to you if you aren't polite to them.
We're unusual. Questions are reasonable and inevitable. You don't have to like it, I don't like it, but you do have to be nice about not liking it or you're screwing it up for everyone else.
I have never felt like anyone was rapid firing questions at me. I have had situations where people have wanted to make the conversation about it and I've done that for a bit then changed the subject, which would be a normal, polite, reasonable human reaction to talking about something you're a bit bored of talking about.
In the end, you can gripe about it, but nobody else is going to educate people. I'm sure everyone who's in some sort of unusual situation would love schools to cover it, but there are a lot of unusual situations. It's not just us. Trying to comprehensively cover every special interest situation in schools would mean spending huge amounts of time on it and I don't think that's really practical, nor would all that book learning really make much difference in reality when people have no personal experience of it.
In an ideal world should it be my problem to explain stuff? No of course not but we don't live in an ideal world and it's nobody's fault. You can whine and bitch all you like but I think you and I do have a responsibility to be an information source, to be accessible to people, to be a good representative. If you're all pissy about it then you're likely to create people who will be less comfortable and friendly if they meet me, and I'd rather you didn't do that, thanks.
Yes it gets old, yes it's a pain when you're busy and tired and you've already had the conversation five times that day, but there are nice and nasty ways to get out of it, and you can hardly complain about the way people relate to you if you aren't polite to them.
We're unusual. Questions are reasonable and inevitable. You don't have to like it, I don't like it, but you do have to be nice about not liking it or you're screwing it up for everyone else.
blackberrybunny 3 points 2y ago
Talking about hemorrhoids and ED and a colostomy bag are not really comparable to talking about blindness, which is something that people can see you have. It's a disability, not a private medical situation that might be considered embarrassing or too personal. There is a difference here!
I would never tell someone it is not my responsibility to tell them about what it's like to be blind. Because I feel that if they are curious, and ask me about it, then I have the option to teach them, to educate them. It has never been a 'burden" for me. It's definitely not a burden I felt should never have been put on me in the first place.
It's blindness. It's not a pimple on your butt or an enlarged prostrate. It's a disability. And it's one that other people can see, and will be curious about.
I feel you have a lot of internal animosity about this. With age comes wisdom, and grace, the ability to laugh at yourself, and the experience to be patient with those who are less experienced in life. I'm getting too old to hold in feelings of irritability or annoyance. I've lived long enough to finally learn that it's just not worth it.
Educating someone else about your disability gives you the chance to connect with other people. To share stories, To laugh at your hilarious memories from the past. I would never feel like talking about my blindness was a burden.
I would never tell someone it is not my responsibility to tell them about what it's like to be blind. Because I feel that if they are curious, and ask me about it, then I have the option to teach them, to educate them. It has never been a 'burden" for me. It's definitely not a burden I felt should never have been put on me in the first place.
It's blindness. It's not a pimple on your butt or an enlarged prostrate. It's a disability. And it's one that other people can see, and will be curious about.
I feel you have a lot of internal animosity about this. With age comes wisdom, and grace, the ability to laugh at yourself, and the experience to be patient with those who are less experienced in life. I'm getting too old to hold in feelings of irritability or annoyance. I've lived long enough to finally learn that it's just not worth it.
Educating someone else about your disability gives you the chance to connect with other people. To share stories, To laugh at your hilarious memories from the past. I would never feel like talking about my blindness was a burden.
MediocreConfused [OP] 3 points 2y ago
It seems really weird that most schools won't teach about disabilities, even though they're extremely common. I guess some people aren't really interested in things that won't affect them, which is a shame. I learned that blindness is a spectrum only a few years ago, and spent my entire childhood thinking that all people with visual impairment didn't see anything. And when I found out it was through the Internet and not through school, even though I have studied in private schools all my life.
Edit: spelling
Edit: spelling
Thesauruswrex 1 points 2y ago
I agree, I think that it's very odd as well. Up to 19% of people in the U.S. have some form of disablity. That makes it about 1 in 5 people will have to deal with something that they never learned about in any way. It just makes it harder and you never know who will have to deal with a disability later on in life. It could be anyone.
MediocreConfused [OP] 3 points 2y ago
This is kinda off the original topic, but it's also about the government and inclusivity/education. I feel that this negligence in teaching these subjects also causes physical difficulties. I live in an underdeveloped country, where the government rarely supports basic public things, because of this many residents make their own sidewalks, and they often have barriers in the form of mini walls, elevated sidewalks or stairs that change from house to house (both to prevent flooding and because some people want the sidewalks in front of their houses to be a private place), because of this it must be extremely difficult to walk if you are a blind person or in wheelchairs, I myself have to walk in the middle of the street several times in a 10 minute walk. Even if it's a public management problem, it is also an educational problem, because if people knew how common it is and how much it hinders the lives of those with disabilities then at least they coud provide more accessibility.
laconicflow 1 points 2y ago
People are curious. You can tellem to fuck off if you want, but that won't get you anywhere. I view it as a wonderful networking oprotunity. And, after all, I'm never shy about asking a person who can see any question that comes to mind.
Thesauruswrex 1 points 2y ago
> You can tellem to fuck off if you want, but that won't get you anywhere.
So optimistic but you can't even for one second see the good things about telling someone to fuck off.
Sure, I have a chance to "network" with you right now but instead, I'll just tell you to fuck right the fucking fuck off back into the world where you're every sighted person's bitch that you live in.
So optimistic but you can't even for one second see the good things about telling someone to fuck off.
Sure, I have a chance to "network" with you right now but instead, I'll just tell you to fuck right the fucking fuck off back into the world where you're every sighted person's bitch that you live in.
blackberrybunny 6 points 2y ago
Your daughter's legal blindness sounds just like mine. I get a lot of the 'faking it' opinions too. I totally get what it's like for her.
DrillInstructorJan 6 points 2y ago
For what it's worth I'm completely blind and people ask me how I use my phone. Clearly they don't notice the earbuds.
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BlindASoccerUSA 2 points 2y ago
Yes, right here… The crux of it all. I use my cane basically when I travel away from my house but not in my neighborhood, a local grocery store, or selective other places. I told a totally blind person once that part of me wishes I didn’t have any vision since it would remove a lot of insecurities and gray areas where with what functional vision I have I am able to pass. Her response to me was this sounds like something you did not think all the way through. Bullshit, instead of struggling to maybe, kind of, sort of make something out, or having to experience fatigue after longer reading sessions, going between multiple devices to complete an inaccessible form. Life would become a very definite thing, I would be confident in saying, well I just can’t see that. As it is right now I can’t recognize fine details such as facial features, meaning I couldn’t tell my family members from complete strangers from an arms length away. Imagine how much of a relief it would be to not have to explain to others how I see things, like they would understand.
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blackberrybunny 2 points 2y ago
Yep, Me too. Totally get it.
The reason people think we are faking it is because they are ignorant about blindness. They truly have no idea what it's like, or that it's not that you either are totally blind and see nothing, or you aren't. There are different levels of blindness. Those people need educating!
The reason people think we are faking it is because they are ignorant about blindness. They truly have no idea what it's like, or that it's not that you either are totally blind and see nothing, or you aren't. There are different levels of blindness. Those people need educating!
Criptedinyourcloset 2 points 2y ago
Yes, I get what you’re saying about some people just not knowing. But, that’s what the Internet is for. And, if we repeatedly tell you and show you signs that we are not faking it, don’t say we’re faking it! If you have questions you can either ask us or look it up. That’s what annoys me the most, willful ignorance.
AnElusiveDreamer 25 points 2y ago
1. Not all young people who are blind were born blind. Degenerative conditions can happen at any age.
2. I can still see somewhat because blindness is a spectrum.
3. Not all blind people can read Braille.
4. Blind people can use computers, obviously.
5. My other four senses are not super senses.
2. I can still see somewhat because blindness is a spectrum.
3. Not all blind people can read Braille.
4. Blind people can use computers, obviously.
5. My other four senses are not super senses.
blackberrybunny 8 points 2y ago
That's right. Being blind doesn't mean our sense of hearing just got amazingly great, or our sense of smell, whatever... we just learn how to utilize those senses so much better. Being sighted means taking for granted those other senses we have. When you can SEE things, you don't notice so much the sounds, or smells, or even how things feel. A sighted person can just look and see a wall made of brick. But a blind person touches that brick wall, and it's like, "Oh yeah, baby, that is BRICK right there!" We don't have super-senses, like you said. We just use our other senses to their fullest.
Braille is HARD to learn if you didn't learn it as a child. It takes tremendous amounts of mental focus and ability to learn to read Braille. It's very very difficult. But I've also had friends who were totally blind since birth, and they learned Braille as a child, at the same time the rest of us were learning our ABC's visually. They can read Braille faster than most of us can read print. It's pretty damn amazing. But try to learn Braille as an adult, and prepare for years of daily study. I am not even joking.
Braille is HARD to learn if you didn't learn it as a child. It takes tremendous amounts of mental focus and ability to learn to read Braille. It's very very difficult. But I've also had friends who were totally blind since birth, and they learned Braille as a child, at the same time the rest of us were learning our ABC's visually. They can read Braille faster than most of us can read print. It's pretty damn amazing. But try to learn Braille as an adult, and prepare for years of daily study. I am not even joking.
Criptedinyourcloset 10 points 2y ago
Even as a young kid. I didn’t get proper braille instruction from the years preschool through second grade when I was a normal public school. I am only just now getting up to speed for my grade level and I am in seventh grade.
blackberrybunny 5 points 2y ago
Good for you! I know how hard Braille is. You really have to work at it every single day! Keep up the great work!
Criptedinyourcloset 7 points 2y ago
Yes, I was born with a lot of unstable eye conditions and I used to have much better vision. Heck, in kindergarten through second grade I could read a print. I am literally on my last limb of actual slightly usable vision. I expect within the next two years I’ll be going totally blind. Hey, at least I’ve had great teachers that I’ve been teaching me braille and getting me prepared.
je97 18 points 2y ago
The most obvious one, that I've stated a few times here, is that help is very nice...but it's also optional. If I tell you I don't require your help doing something, respect my decision and don't attempt to force help on me. Not only is it very infantalising but it also might make what I'm trying to do harder, especially if it's to do with navigation.
MediocreConfused [OP] 8 points 2y ago
Although not through a visual impairment, I can relate to this (As an autistic person). It seems that this infantilization of disabled people is common in all branches. Thank you for your answer. 🌻
ThreeTreesXXII 12 points 2y ago
I mostly want people to know that just because I have a cane, that doesn't mean I have no vision whatsoever. People tend to think you're either 'blind' or 'not blind'. Lots of people who have some sight still need a cane, especially if they're within the line of legal blindness, or even if they don't have good depth perception, and can't see steps or cracks very well.
Thesauruswrex 6 points 2y ago
I also wish that they knew that sometimes a blind person using a cane is for the non-blind person's protection. There are legally blind people that would walk straight into people, pets, displays, or whatever they don't fully see. When blind people use canes properly, it helps everyone.
blackberrybunny 5 points 2y ago
A white cane can be a magical tool for a blind person. :-D
blackberrybunny 5 points 2y ago
Totally agree with you. This is me. I am legally blind.
Most of the people you will meet don't even know what "legally blind" means. One time I was trying to explain to a guy over the phone that I am legally blind, and he thought I meant "legally blonde!" Not even funny. And no, I'm not a blonde, I used to be a brunette. Now I'm gray, hahahahah.
Most of the people you will meet don't even know what "legally blind" means. One time I was trying to explain to a guy over the phone that I am legally blind, and he thought I meant "legally blonde!" Not even funny. And no, I'm not a blonde, I used to be a brunette. Now I'm gray, hahahahah.
LadyAlleta 10 points 2y ago
I wish sighted people knew how trapped people with blindness are if they don't live in an area with public transportation.
Like NYC must be great bc you can navigate and walk. But for us in the rural parts of the USA that you have to have a car for, we are basically trapped. If you want to go somewhere you have to know a friend or family, coordinate a time, feel pressured not to take too long bc then they gotta pick you up too. Or you spend a ton on Ubers (if that's even an option).
Like NYC must be great bc you can navigate and walk. But for us in the rural parts of the USA that you have to have a car for, we are basically trapped. If you want to go somewhere you have to know a friend or family, coordinate a time, feel pressured not to take too long bc then they gotta pick you up too. Or you spend a ton on Ubers (if that's even an option).
Criptedinyourcloset 7 points 2y ago
Seriously, I wish they made a bikes or something with canes attached to the front of them so that you could just like bike your way around town with your cane bike or whatever. We really need this. I have no idea how it would work, but it seriously needs to exist.
BlindASoccerUSA 3 points 2y ago
I have taken this issue so far as top leader ship within Lions Club international as one of their biggest philanthropies is vision. Possibly a rideshare type program exclusively for blind and visually impaired? Since there is basically a Lions Club in every community everywhere.
Thesauruswrex 8 points 2y ago
ADA laws are frequently not followed and it has a detrimental effect on the blind and disabled. To get corporations to change their facilities and policies shouldn't be a major time consuming task for a disabled person. The current system is severely flawed and needs to be reworked.
Fire code violation, building code violation, building permit violation, etc... These are all taken care of by people paid by the government to make sure that these code are enforced. ADA code violations require a disabled person and a lawyer, then a legal process. It should be handled like any other code violation.
Non-profit organizaitons aren't the answer to anything. These organizations offer help to the disabled but in reality they are far less concerned for the disabled and far more concerned about growing their corporation, high salaries for corporate officers, and making sure that everyone in their organization is fully protected - even if that means that a disabled person is hurt in the process.
An example would be that nearly all blind schools are run by non-profit corporations, while all public schools are run by the government. That's not optimal in any way.
I also agree with the other points raised. Don't grab or force lead blind people, assume that they're idiots, or only talk to a non-blind person about the blind person instead of just talking to the blind person. It's also important for people to know that there are many levels and different types of blindness but they are all disablities.
Fire code violation, building code violation, building permit violation, etc... These are all taken care of by people paid by the government to make sure that these code are enforced. ADA code violations require a disabled person and a lawyer, then a legal process. It should be handled like any other code violation.
Non-profit organizaitons aren't the answer to anything. These organizations offer help to the disabled but in reality they are far less concerned for the disabled and far more concerned about growing their corporation, high salaries for corporate officers, and making sure that everyone in their organization is fully protected - even if that means that a disabled person is hurt in the process.
An example would be that nearly all blind schools are run by non-profit corporations, while all public schools are run by the government. That's not optimal in any way.
I also agree with the other points raised. Don't grab or force lead blind people, assume that they're idiots, or only talk to a non-blind person about the blind person instead of just talking to the blind person. It's also important for people to know that there are many levels and different types of blindness but they are all disablities.
ojosnobueno 2 points 2y ago
>The non profit argument is something I argue with people all the time. Up until 2015 the NFL was a 501c non profit. Just because someone files as a non profit doesn't mean people aren't making money and lots of it.
Thesauruswrex 2 points 2y ago
Well, keep spreading the word. The NFL working as a non-profit and making cash off football players is one thing. When they're trying to make as much money as they can off blind people that have nowhere else to go, that's worse. It'd be fine if there was an alternative but there usually isn't.
Terry_Pie 1 points 2y ago
That's because people have a fundamental misunderstanding about what "for profit" and "not for profit" mean. The difference isn't that the former is run for profit and the latter not, the difference is in how profits are distributed. A for profit organisation is run to profit the owners, whether that be directors in a private company or shareholders in a publicly listed company. A not for profit churns all profits back into funding the organisation. That doesn't mean the not for profit doesn't pay large salaries to executive staff, it may very well, but the aim of the game between the two types of organisation is the same: maximise profits. The difference is just where those profits are directed after the fact.
ojosnobueno 7 points 2y ago
Its been said to death but blind doesn't always mean zero vision. The amount of questioning looks or flat out "yea but you're not really blind" type comments is infuriating. I get it I do things you don't think blind people do but I got news for you were out here more then you think.
Also when people don't know my visual impairment and I say "I cant drive" and your response is "Haha yea Ive had a few DUI's too." No, I'm visually impaired you are a reckless irresponsible person. Drunk driving kills lots of people, its not funny.
Also when people don't know my visual impairment and I say "I cant drive" and your response is "Haha yea Ive had a few DUI's too." No, I'm visually impaired you are a reckless irresponsible person. Drunk driving kills lots of people, its not funny.
mdizak 7 points 2y ago
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How long everything takes when you're totally blind. They already know this to an extent, but in a very passing matter of fact sort of way that doesn't seem to fully register with them.
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I'd like them to put in one full day of work blind, helping them fully understand and grasp just how much additional energy you need to expend blind in order to keep up with your peers and remain productive. They know everything takes blind folks a little longer, but more in a matter of fact sort of way. I don't think most people truly understand just how much longer it takes, and how much energy we expend.
How long everything takes when you're totally blind. They already know this to an extent, but in a very passing matter of fact sort of way that doesn't seem to fully register with them.
​
I'd like them to put in one full day of work blind, helping them fully understand and grasp just how much additional energy you need to expend blind in order to keep up with your peers and remain productive. They know everything takes blind folks a little longer, but more in a matter of fact sort of way. I don't think most people truly understand just how much longer it takes, and how much energy we expend.
BlindASoccerUSA 5 points 2y ago
I had an employee who was my shift manager and she was giving me information about what another employee was wearing on a particular day. I could tell that this information was more her judgment as opposed to a subjective perspective. She took a tone of voice like, well I can see what’s going on and you can’t, so you must not know what’s going on. I came up with the line for this situation, Be my eyes not my brain.
blackberrybunny 4 points 2y ago
This is such a great point! You are so right. It does take us so much longer. And it's not because we are less skilled than our sighted peers... things just take longer when you are blind. And a lot of mental energy is required and used in everyday tasks.
AllHarlowsEve 7 points 2y ago
We're just people. Whether it's chatting online, hiking, writing, playing tabletop games, doing judo, fencing, cooking, blind people can and typically do have completely normal interests. We're not relegated to sitting in the corner and reading braille books until we die.
You also don't need to talk to us like we're deaf, infants or intellectually disabled. We don't all have carers, and those that do rarely have them for blindness reasons, and usually for other disabilities.
Stop fucking asking HoW mAnY fInGeRs Am I hOlDiNg Up? I've never heard someone ask this outside of a doctor's office that I didn't want to punch in the bladder.
Do not assume blind people's ability based on how competent YOU would be with no vision. So many sighted folks literally haven't heard of a braille display, so I cannot fathom why they think they have any real idea of how blind people do work.
You also don't need to talk to us like we're deaf, infants or intellectually disabled. We don't all have carers, and those that do rarely have them for blindness reasons, and usually for other disabilities.
Stop fucking asking HoW mAnY fInGeRs Am I hOlDiNg Up? I've never heard someone ask this outside of a doctor's office that I didn't want to punch in the bladder.
Do not assume blind people's ability based on how competent YOU would be with no vision. So many sighted folks literally haven't heard of a braille display, so I cannot fathom why they think they have any real idea of how blind people do work.
MediocreConfused [OP] 4 points 2y ago
I myself don't have any clue on social cues, but those things seems like should be common sense. Sounds like it must be really hard to handle. People like this are the majority or just occasional annoyances?
AllHarlowsEve 6 points 2y ago
It really depends where I'm at. The boston metro area, where there's a ton of blind people who either live, work or attend school there? Less of an issue. Home in CT? The number of times I get yelled at by employees or asked about like I'm furniture is too damn high. Just talk like a person 😂
The last point I made, about people assuming blind people's competency, was related to how low the full time working rate is for blind people. It's something like a fifth or fourth, depending on the source, of blind people actively trying to work who have full time jobs. Among those, there's also a ton who work in what I affectionately call blind sweatshops, doing stuff like making trashbags or other menial tasks for minimum wage or sometimes lower than minimum wage.
The last point I made, about people assuming blind people's competency, was related to how low the full time working rate is for blind people. It's something like a fifth or fourth, depending on the source, of blind people actively trying to work who have full time jobs. Among those, there's also a ton who work in what I affectionately call blind sweatshops, doing stuff like making trashbags or other menial tasks for minimum wage or sometimes lower than minimum wage.
blackberrybunny 6 points 2y ago
We have a center here where I live, and it's for people with all kinds of disabilities. It's called the "CARC." It used to mean something-something-retarded-citizens.... but my guess is by now they've changed that name, or maybe they've shut down. I don't know. I never went there. But I can tell you that they did have physically and mentally handicapable people there making fucking brooms for a living, and I hated this. It was / is so demeaning and stereotypical of what society thought people with handicaps should be doing. Making fucking brooms. Sorry for my language. But it always makes me so angry!
Criptedinyourcloset 2 points 2y ago
Oh no, your language is fine. It is totally appropriate for the situation. Just hearing that makes me want to go over there and hit whoever made this place with the brooms they make the people make their.
blackberrybunny 3 points 2y ago
Kids, in school, even in high school, were the worst when it came to asking how many fingers am i holding up?
Criptedinyourcloset 2 points 2y ago
I am almost completely blind and this, he is so infuriating. All of these. I am 100% willing to tell you about blindness and educate you, but you don’t just assume things. You have vision, you don’t know what it’s like to be blind, you know nothing about blindness. Don’t think you’re some genius about something you have never experienced.
blackberrybunny 2 points 2y ago
You made me LOL. Sooooo right about the how many fingers am I holding up part! I want to say, "This many" as I make a fist and punch them in the face! But I'd probably miss and just clip their ear, haha, because I am blind!
Criptedinyourcloset 1 points 2y ago
Hey, if I am certain where the person is, and I know what I’m doing. Do I have permission to do this? If of course the person is being a real a hole about it.
blackberrybunny 3 points 2y ago
Technically, it would be assault.... but it sure would feel good sometimes. Especially if i could have whacked all of those kids in school who were total jerks about the how many fingers am i holding up bit.
siriuslylupin6 4 points 2y ago
All blind people is auditory and an audio book is what they want and need. Nope.
That we can’t be spacial learners and that we are not as aware. There’s a thread that confirms this stereotype and people saying oh blindness means you’re more inward. Not in fact.
I am spacial kinesthetic, possibly visual. I have no site but using same skill set but tactile. Good at stuff like geography. Very different and capable and down to earth type blind person. Physical and pragmatic.
I don’t do things audio I am not a auditory learner.
That blind people are all musical. I have not one shred of musical ability.
That blind people stay home and don’t go anywhere. Or not able to travel. I went to the eastern seaboard and people didn’t say it to me but assumed you’re blind you’re not going to do that really right? Yeah, I am watch me. I did went on my own, went to 6 states in 2 weeks lot of activities. Navigated the cities llike a pro like I’ve lived there and have done a lot of training. In fact I just arrived. Offered another person to take them home. I think he was a bit embarrassed. He had lived their all his life.
That I can’t do things that I am physically incompetent. I am quite physical and kinesthetics and my spacial/body awareness/proprioception is actually really really good.
End of the day blind people are just people get to know us.
That we can’t be spacial learners and that we are not as aware. There’s a thread that confirms this stereotype and people saying oh blindness means you’re more inward. Not in fact.
I am spacial kinesthetic, possibly visual. I have no site but using same skill set but tactile. Good at stuff like geography. Very different and capable and down to earth type blind person. Physical and pragmatic.
I don’t do things audio I am not a auditory learner.
That blind people are all musical. I have not one shred of musical ability.
That blind people stay home and don’t go anywhere. Or not able to travel. I went to the eastern seaboard and people didn’t say it to me but assumed you’re blind you’re not going to do that really right? Yeah, I am watch me. I did went on my own, went to 6 states in 2 weeks lot of activities. Navigated the cities llike a pro like I’ve lived there and have done a lot of training. In fact I just arrived. Offered another person to take them home. I think he was a bit embarrassed. He had lived their all his life.
That I can’t do things that I am physically incompetent. I am quite physical and kinesthetics and my spacial/body awareness/proprioception is actually really really good.
End of the day blind people are just people get to know us.
blackberrybunny 4 points 2y ago
I wish sighted people knew how damn annoying it is when they find out you are visually impaired and ask "How many fingers am I holding up?"!
Also, I wish they knew that there are different levels of blindness. It's not that you are completely blind or you are not. Someone can be legally blind, like myself, and still see some. Some people can only see light perception. Some people see big black spots right in the center of their vision. There are all kinds of levels of impairment.
I also wish they knew to call a white cane a 'white cane,' and not a 'white stick.'
I wish they knew that just because you are blind, you are NOT also deaf!
Came back to add that, prescription glasses are not always helpful! In my case, I was born more than 3.5 months too soon, and my retinas didn't develop. SO, you can't fix what is not there! Teachers were the worst about getting on my case for not wearing glasses. There were no glasses that could help me. There still aren't. Some visually impaired people CAN benefit from prescription glasses. And I hate how they get called 'coke bottle' glasses because they lenses were thick. I know they can make them a not thinner now, and less heavy..... but not all blind people can use these 'coke bottle' glasses and see better.
​
Glasses are NOT the answer! Orientation & mobility using a white cane IS and answer, Along with Braille lessons. And independence training. A 6 month program at the Louisiana Center for the Blind changed my life for the better. I learned all of those things, plus everything else I needed to know to survive in this world as a legally blind person. I'm so grateful to them.
Also, I wish they knew that there are different levels of blindness. It's not that you are completely blind or you are not. Someone can be legally blind, like myself, and still see some. Some people can only see light perception. Some people see big black spots right in the center of their vision. There are all kinds of levels of impairment.
I also wish they knew to call a white cane a 'white cane,' and not a 'white stick.'
I wish they knew that just because you are blind, you are NOT also deaf!
Came back to add that, prescription glasses are not always helpful! In my case, I was born more than 3.5 months too soon, and my retinas didn't develop. SO, you can't fix what is not there! Teachers were the worst about getting on my case for not wearing glasses. There were no glasses that could help me. There still aren't. Some visually impaired people CAN benefit from prescription glasses. And I hate how they get called 'coke bottle' glasses because they lenses were thick. I know they can make them a not thinner now, and less heavy..... but not all blind people can use these 'coke bottle' glasses and see better.
​
Glasses are NOT the answer! Orientation & mobility using a white cane IS and answer, Along with Braille lessons. And independence training. A 6 month program at the Louisiana Center for the Blind changed my life for the better. I learned all of those things, plus everything else I needed to know to survive in this world as a legally blind person. I'm so grateful to them.
Criptedinyourcloset 3 points 2y ago
Agree with everything here. Also, glasses really screwed up whatever vision I had at the time. And they made my head hurt. Also, you said you went to Louisiana Center for the blind? I don’t know when you went, but I know there’s a guy that works there now named Eric. Do you know him? Sorry for the question. Just wondering.
blackberrybunny 3 points 2y ago
Hi, No, sorry, I don't know anyone at the LCB named Eric. But I was there quite a while back, in the late 90's. Joann Wilson was the director, and Harold, who was her husband, worked there too. Then Pam DuBell became the director, and she is married to Roland Allen, who was a cane travel instructor when I was there. He is still there, and now Pam is Pam Allen, and she's an amazing person, and a great director. A couple of my mentors who taught me have died. Mr, Whittle was my Braille instructor, and Arlene was my cane travel instructor. They were great. J.D. is the shop teacher, and he was awesome! I think he's still there too. They do have an YT channel, but they don't put up much content, and I don't know why. There is so much to be gained from them making videos for the public. Everyone who was there was absolutely stellar. Best experience of my life. I stayed there in Ruston, LA and finished college at LA TECH. I have my mentors to thank for pushing me to do it.
BenandGracie 3 points 2y ago
I wish people would stop thinking I am lost when I am reading a braille sign on a wall. People, those signs have braille on the botom. No, I can't read print letters by touch.
BlindASoccerUSA 3 points 2y ago
My disability is pretty interesting, right? There’s some days where it obviously absolutely sucks and there are so many barriers to getting things done. But then there are days when I think about how cool it is that my kids get to interact with so many more people because we get to do public transportation during the time when other people are just driving themselves places. I get to have conversations with complete strangers that I otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to if I could drive myself around. Plus I think it helps my kids grow up a little bit more quickly when I get to give them responsibilities like watching out for our bus stop and sometimes paying the fair, etc. I jokingly say that when I leave my house I’m going to be a public figure in the morning when I head out to the bus stop.
Blind-bigfoot 2 points 2y ago
That we aren't deaf. I can't count how many times people yell things at me like I can't hear.
Blind-bigfoot 2 points 2y ago
Or how when I put my hand bout for something not to grab my hand like I'm three years old and trying to touch a hot pan.
[deleted] 1 points 2y ago
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