Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Advice needed for camping when visually impaired or blind. (self.Blind)
submitted by morningafternooneven
I am supporting a young person that is going to take his first trip away from his family, camping with his school for the weekend.
Class is around 30 kids.
He is the only one with a visual impairment.
Any advice or support you can give would be much appreciated!
Class is around 30 kids.
He is the only one with a visual impairment.
Any advice or support you can give would be much appreciated!
niamhweking 3 points 2y ago
Mark his tent and leader tent with a bright scarf or flag if they are all similar colours.
Tell leaders not to say stuff like "trash cans are over there" but to say " the trash cans are beside the building with the red door"
I know my child walks slower with a cane than with holding a hand, however depending on his age and terrain neither might be suitable. Maybe walking poles and a sensible person walking beside him to say, root, branch, slippy, mound etc. Also if he is slower walking can he start off 15 mins before everyone or is he happy to take up the rear?
Tell leaders not to say stuff like "trash cans are over there" but to say " the trash cans are beside the building with the red door"
I know my child walks slower with a cane than with holding a hand, however depending on his age and terrain neither might be suitable. Maybe walking poles and a sensible person walking beside him to say, root, branch, slippy, mound etc. Also if he is slower walking can he start off 15 mins before everyone or is he happy to take up the rear?
morningafternooneven [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Yep, good advice.
VI_Shepherd 2 points 2y ago
Most important thing you can do?
Ask him. Give him the freedom of being able to ask anyone for help, without being afraid someone is going to get mad at him.
Ask him what he thinks would be best for him, what would help him the most, and if it's reasonable, just do it. If it seems too difficult to do, brain storm with him.
Make him a part of the process and he may feel even more welcomed on the trip.
Don't ever let him feel like a burden for being human.
This is literally my personal experience as a VI person. I never got asked what would help me, always was assumed what would help me based on some other persons with totally different sight impairments.
Ask him. Give him the freedom of being able to ask anyone for help, without being afraid someone is going to get mad at him.
Ask him what he thinks would be best for him, what would help him the most, and if it's reasonable, just do it. If it seems too difficult to do, brain storm with him.
Make him a part of the process and he may feel even more welcomed on the trip.
Don't ever let him feel like a burden for being human.
This is literally my personal experience as a VI person. I never got asked what would help me, always was assumed what would help me based on some other persons with totally different sight impairments.
morningafternooneven [OP] 3 points 2y ago
Thank you, I agree that listening to the person is number 1.
I have kinda done this in that I have asked the parent to talk with him to try and understand what are his concerns, worries and how we can support.
It’s difficult though as he has never been before so he doesn’t really know what the challenges are yet.
I have kinda done this in that I have asked the parent to talk with him to try and understand what are his concerns, worries and how we can support.
It’s difficult though as he has never been before so he doesn’t really know what the challenges are yet.
VI_Shepherd 2 points 2y ago
And that's where making sure every staff member let's him know that's an ok thing.
The same was done for me, but I always felt scared and intimidated, like if I didn't come up with something before the trip, I wasn't allowed to come up with stuff on the spot. Some staff members even made me feel that way with how they interacted with me. Like a gnat in their face...
Man, I wish I could be there for this kid!!
Maybe pick the best person (even if it is you), to be an advocate for the student. Obviously, don't pester him every second, lol
If every staff member is imofrmes not to be a total tool and just be nice to the VI student when they ask for some help, I think it'll help everybody :)
I know it's totally weird, but, as a VI person, I learn some things visually, but other things by hand, and it all just depended on how I was allowed to do something.
Metaphorically hold his hand for safety, but let him learn :)
If situations call for sighted guide, help him learn some more proprioception to get a good feel for terrain.
Ok, too much assumption from my past going on.
If you've got internet signal or something and have any other questions, please feel free to message me! :)
I hope all goes well and that everyone has fun and stays safe!
The same was done for me, but I always felt scared and intimidated, like if I didn't come up with something before the trip, I wasn't allowed to come up with stuff on the spot. Some staff members even made me feel that way with how they interacted with me. Like a gnat in their face...
Man, I wish I could be there for this kid!!
Maybe pick the best person (even if it is you), to be an advocate for the student. Obviously, don't pester him every second, lol
If every staff member is imofrmes not to be a total tool and just be nice to the VI student when they ask for some help, I think it'll help everybody :)
I know it's totally weird, but, as a VI person, I learn some things visually, but other things by hand, and it all just depended on how I was allowed to do something.
Metaphorically hold his hand for safety, but let him learn :)
If situations call for sighted guide, help him learn some more proprioception to get a good feel for terrain.
Ok, too much assumption from my past going on.
If you've got internet signal or something and have any other questions, please feel free to message me! :)
I hope all goes well and that everyone has fun and stays safe!
morningafternooneven [OP] 2 points 2y ago
I was thinking sighted guide training for adults/staff supporting.
A high vis rope on poles for trailing to important spaces such as toilets, etc.
A strong torch.
Tent nearest to adults/staff.
A high vis rope on poles for trailing to important spaces such as toilets, etc.
A strong torch.
Tent nearest to adults/staff.
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