Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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How do blind people tell measurements and distance? (self.Blind)
submitted by Cavalierkrav
I am just helped a blind woman find her location on a street. I was helping by saying things like “the wall is 4 inches away” or when she wanted to hold my arm, “my hand is a foot in-front of you”. Afterwards I realized that it wasn’t as helpful as I had originally thought
snow671 8 points 2y ago
It sounds like you did fine. To put it into perspective, I've run into quite a few people who will say, "it's just over there" or "right here."
Distance is learned through experience. You probably didn't have a ruler with you when you estimated four inches. To me, four inches is a roll of toilet paper. The person you helped will have their own way of imagining it.
Distance is learned through experience. You probably didn't have a ruler with you when you estimated four inches. To me, four inches is a roll of toilet paper. The person you helped will have their own way of imagining it.
Cavalierkrav [OP] 3 points 2y ago
Ok awesome. That makes me feel better
MostlyBlindGamer 2 points 2y ago
You made me go measure my toilet paper. Just thought you'd like to know.
snow671 2 points 2y ago
What was the result?
MostlyBlindGamer 2 points 2y ago
Just over three inches wide. My inferior toilet paper brings shame to my whole family.
Cavalierkrav [OP] 2 points 2y ago
One question for you, how did you learn inches, feet, and miles or there metric equivalents? Was it through comparisons?
snow671 2 points 2y ago
I learned those things in school. I wasn't born blind, but I can't imagine it's much different. "This ruler is 12 inches or one foot. 5,280 of these rulers is a mile." But you can't really imagine 5,280 rulers, so you have to relate it to something real like the distance from your home to a certain shop.
[deleted] 1 points 2y ago
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FaerilyRowanwind 5 points 2y ago
You did wayyyyyyyy better than most people do.
Cavalierkrav [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thanks
DrillInstructorJan 2 points 2y ago
Oh you're fine. That's useful information. "Over there" isn't. You did it right.
[deleted] 1 points 2y ago
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