Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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What's discrimination and what isn't (self.Blind)
submitted by DrillInstructorJan
Recently, someone I know asked me if I'd found it hard to get a job because of people making stupid assumptions about what I can do. My first reaction was to say that I'd probably been pretty lucky. I don't feel like that's ever been a massive issue, although honestly I don't know how much of it is really luck because I don't know how much grief and hassle people get on average, and how it compares to my life. But really I don't honestly feel like people are constantly trying to get at me like that.
Then I come on reddit here and I find people complaining that being told they're too cheerful is a painful stereotype. Crikey, should I have been taking more offence all these years?
But seriously. Being told you can't have a job because they can't be bothered to get you a screenreader is painful. Being abandoned in a hideous institution like the ones that exist in eastern europe because your parents don't want a blind kid is horrific. I'm not saying any of this stuff is great but it's not going to change and it doesn't really affect anything. So seriously, if the worst that happens to you is people tell you you're more cheerful than they expect can't we take the props when they're available and just live life?
Then I come on reddit here and I find people complaining that being told they're too cheerful is a painful stereotype. Crikey, should I have been taking more offence all these years?
But seriously. Being told you can't have a job because they can't be bothered to get you a screenreader is painful. Being abandoned in a hideous institution like the ones that exist in eastern europe because your parents don't want a blind kid is horrific. I'm not saying any of this stuff is great but it's not going to change and it doesn't really affect anything. So seriously, if the worst that happens to you is people tell you you're more cheerful than they expect can't we take the props when they're available and just live life?
wyongriver 10 points 2y ago
Relativism is a little tricky in this context. It’s true that some discrimination is harsher than others. But it’s an objective fact that there is discrimination against blind and visually impaired people. The evidence is significantly higher unemployment rates and poverty rates (among other things)
It sounds from your post that you do not perceive that discrimination is an issue in your life at the moment. That’s great!
However it’s a real thing for a lot of people. Wether at school, in the workplace or in relationships it’s a thing. It’s a hard problem to solve - hopefully we can develop solutions over time
It sounds from your post that you do not perceive that discrimination is an issue in your life at the moment. That’s great!
However it’s a real thing for a lot of people. Wether at school, in the workplace or in relationships it’s a thing. It’s a hard problem to solve - hopefully we can develop solutions over time
DrillInstructorJan [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Don't get me wrong, if someone comes out with something genuinely awful, I'll hold em while you hit em.
The thing is, all this modern politically correct micro aggression crap, oh no someone said I was cheerful, jeez. There are things that are worth worrying about and things that are not. I'm unusual. People are going to react unusually to me. That's not wrong, it's not abnormal. I was a sighted person for nineteen years and I have been on both sides of this. These are not bad people. They're flustered, maybe, or awkward or inexperienced in the situation but they are not bad people and it's not good to make out that they are.
Fight the useful battles, let's not make out the world is against us because I don't think it is and all we're likely to do is piss everyone off.
The thing is, all this modern politically correct micro aggression crap, oh no someone said I was cheerful, jeez. There are things that are worth worrying about and things that are not. I'm unusual. People are going to react unusually to me. That's not wrong, it's not abnormal. I was a sighted person for nineteen years and I have been on both sides of this. These are not bad people. They're flustered, maybe, or awkward or inexperienced in the situation but they are not bad people and it's not good to make out that they are.
Fight the useful battles, let's not make out the world is against us because I don't think it is and all we're likely to do is piss everyone off.
aiiishh 6 points 2y ago
I think Reddit is a place to vent out all these frustrations and feelings so people don't have to complain to their loved ones and support systems,
feeling like they're blowing these small interactions out of proportion. I know that my problems are tiny in comparisons to others, but that doesn't make my feelings any less real. Someone's it's nice to just have people validate you and say "yeah that annoys me too!" Even though it just seems like petty complaints.
feeling like they're blowing these small interactions out of proportion. I know that my problems are tiny in comparisons to others, but that doesn't make my feelings any less real. Someone's it's nice to just have people validate you and say "yeah that annoys me too!" Even though it just seems like petty complaints.
XSerenity 2 points 2y ago
Agreed. People are generally too busy being wrapped up in their own lives to care about you or to bother discriminating against you. If they say something mean, it's almost certainly carelessness.
If blind or visually impaired people have higher poverty rates, it's because we face additional challenges doing normal things, not because "the system" is out to get us.
If blind or visually impaired people have higher poverty rates, it's because we face additional challenges doing normal things, not because "the system" is out to get us.
DrillInstructorJan [OP] 2 points 2y ago
I think it is probably a combination of all those things. I get a bit annoyed when people start describing this stuff as "institutional" because to me that implies some sort of negative unfair system is being deliberately set up or knowingly maintained and I don't think that's true, but sure there's dumb people in the world and that has to affect things at least a bit. But sure I make less money because I spend so much of my wages on uber and that's a cross I have to bear.
This stuff is never simple.
This stuff is never simple.
snow671 7 points 2y ago
They could be like me and act very polite in public, then come home to rant like an OTT drama queen because someone asked why I need a phone.
I think most of us have a good idea of what serious discrimination is and what minor offenses can be brushed off. It just feels good to have an outlet.
I think most of us have a good idea of what serious discrimination is and what minor offenses can be brushed off. It just feels good to have an outlet.
Tarnagona 6 points 2y ago
The unemployment rate for blind and partially sighted people in Canada is around three times the national average (IDK the stats for other countries). Keep in mind, unemployment refers to people who are actively seeking work (so not, for example, someone who takes an early retirement after losing their vision). I don’t think most people are malicious and trying to discriminate, but the discrimination clearly exists.
Something like being told you’re too cheerful, should have a more positive attitude, or you don’t look blind, of course that’s not as bad as being refused a job. But it gets tiring. And sometimes it’s nice to vent with other folks who have experienced the same thing, and who understand where you’re coming from. It’s not that you have to offended by people saying these things, or that the people complaining or even offended as such. But even something fairly innocuous can get really annoying if if it happens often enough.
Something like being told you’re too cheerful, should have a more positive attitude, or you don’t look blind, of course that’s not as bad as being refused a job. But it gets tiring. And sometimes it’s nice to vent with other folks who have experienced the same thing, and who understand where you’re coming from. It’s not that you have to offended by people saying these things, or that the people complaining or even offended as such. But even something fairly innocuous can get really annoying if if it happens often enough.
DrillInstructorJan [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Yes it gets tiring but I eventually found I stopped even really hearing it, I just have potted responses to most of it now, all of which are stupid jokes that just make it okay because that's how you get on in life. You make it okay.
OK fine sometimes it's annoying at the end of a long day but in the long term we should not be actively trying to persuade everyone take offence at stuff. You don't get points for it!
OK fine sometimes it's annoying at the end of a long day but in the long term we should not be actively trying to persuade everyone take offence at stuff. You don't get points for it!
bradley22 1 points 2y ago
That’s how Gen deals with the world, it isn’t however how others live.
I agree that moving on is a useful skill, because yes it’s a skill, to have, but not everyone has it.
I agree that moving on is a useful skill, because yes it’s a skill, to have, but not everyone has it.
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