Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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How do you feel about the term visually impaired? (self.Blind)
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Drop9Reddit 18 points 1y ago
I personally don’t care. Visually impaired, legally blind, low vision it all works in the end.
intellectualnerd85 9 points 1y ago
I’ve used it when i wasn’t comfortable saying blind. Now i say legally blind or if at work blind because I feel comfortable there. I can still read and see so there is still the fraud! Feeling
codeofdusk 7 points 1y ago
To me, blind people are those who primarily think and act non-visually (For instance, using screen readers, audio cues, Braille, etc.), whereas vision impaired people tend to think visually first (For instance, primarily using visual cues when walking, magnified/large print text, etc.) – the definitions are a bit fuzzy, but that’s generally how I’d describe it.
Littlebiggran 7 points 1y ago
Too many syllables for sighted people to take in. By the time you say "visually impaired" they've waved their hands in front of you.
carolineecouture 7 points 1y ago
I don't have a problem with it because it's my experience. My vision is not like other people's; my vision is impaired. Or I might say I have a visual disability or that I'm disabled. Those terms seem like they need more explanation though. Blind doesn't fit me yet.
codeplaysleep 6 points 1y ago
In my experience, most people misunderstand it and think my vision loss is far less than it actually is, or that I should just put on a pair of glasses. I just say blind. It's so much easier.
smarthome_fan 6 points 1y ago
I say "blind" or "partially blind" or "partially sighted". In this way the terms I use are literal and don't impose my subjective beliefs about whether it's an "impairment" or a "challenge" or not.
I know many people believe it's simply obvious that blindness is an impairment. But, for example, a lot of terminology like "wheelchair-bound" that seems obvious to non-disabled people is actually problematic. You might see someone as being bound to a wheelchair, but the person in the chair might consider it an empowering personal mobility device or even a tool they use to play very aggressive sports with. Likewise, as someone who has never seen, I don't see my blindness to be the impairment that I might perceive if I had sight, then lost it in later life.
I fully understand that a lot of people don't agree with this point of view and I don't take offense at all if someone self-identifies as visually impaired. I'm only annoyed if someone insists that I'm impaired and just don't realize/accept it.
I know many people believe it's simply obvious that blindness is an impairment. But, for example, a lot of terminology like "wheelchair-bound" that seems obvious to non-disabled people is actually problematic. You might see someone as being bound to a wheelchair, but the person in the chair might consider it an empowering personal mobility device or even a tool they use to play very aggressive sports with. Likewise, as someone who has never seen, I don't see my blindness to be the impairment that I might perceive if I had sight, then lost it in later life.
I fully understand that a lot of people don't agree with this point of view and I don't take offense at all if someone self-identifies as visually impaired. I'm only annoyed if someone insists that I'm impaired and just don't realize/accept it.
Tarnagona 3 points 1y ago
This is how I feel, too. I generally describe myself as mostly blind. I don’t care for visually impaired because to me, it carries a negative connotation of being broken and needing to be fixed. In my mind, my eyesight isn’t a negative, it’s neutral. Blind, or mostly blind are more neutral that visually impaired, so I prefer those terms.
I’m not keen on being called disabled for the same reason. If a machine has been disabled, you can put in a new part and start it up again. I identify with having a disability because that’s the term everyone uses, but again, I wish there was a more neutral term. We talk about neurotypucal and neurodivergent people, so maybe physically divergent? That’s quite a mouthful, though, so I don’t expect it to catch on.
I’m not keen on being called disabled for the same reason. If a machine has been disabled, you can put in a new part and start it up again. I identify with having a disability because that’s the term everyone uses, but again, I wish there was a more neutral term. We talk about neurotypucal and neurodivergent people, so maybe physically divergent? That’s quite a mouthful, though, so I don’t expect it to catch on.
smarthome_fan 3 points 1y ago
Yep, absolutely. You and I are of the same mind. I don’t love the terms disabled/disability either but use them as they’re universally understood. Honestly, it’s all a continuum that we travel along anyways. Nearly everybody will have some kind of disability at some point in their lives. I don’t really get the opposition to using more neutral language.
Disastrous-Put6818 2 points 1y ago
I don’t remember how the social model feels about this term.
smarthome_fan 2 points 1y ago
I believe the idea is to move away from negative terms like these that impose one's belief about their disability instead of just the facts.
But of course, one has the right to self-identify almost however they choose.
But of course, one has the right to self-identify almost however they choose.
B_Bussen 5 points 1y ago
I hate that term as well as visually challenged. I'm totally blind, so blind is just fine. When I went to the school for the blilnd, we had some friends who could see some and we called tehem partially sighted.
Zaxzia 4 points 1y ago
I consider myself visually impaired. My occupational therapist listed me as visually disabled, which somehow felt horrible. I'm actually disabled for other reasons so I don't know why visually disabled bothers me, but it does.
I'm not blind yet, so I don't like saying that. I'm headed that way, but not there. Definitely visually impaired though. So for me it's an accuracy thing.
I'm not blind yet, so I don't like saying that. I'm headed that way, but not there. Definitely visually impaired though. So for me it's an accuracy thing.
RagingRoman01 4 points 1y ago
When I’m talking to someone new who’s not blind I just tell them I’m blind. It’s annoying having to explain what my vision is to people who have no shame asking unlimited amounts of questions. I also don’t want them thinking that I will be offended if they call me blind. I don’t want them saying “visually impaired” every other sentence.
When I want to sound “professional” I say visually impaired. Especially when I was writing scholarship essays.
When I talk to people who are a part of this community, I tell them I’m visually impaired because I assume they will have a broad idea of where my visions at.
Blind are VI are different right? I didn’t just make this up. Have I been living a lie? 😭
When I want to sound “professional” I say visually impaired. Especially when I was writing scholarship essays.
When I talk to people who are a part of this community, I tell them I’m visually impaired because I assume they will have a broad idea of where my visions at.
Blind are VI are different right? I didn’t just make this up. Have I been living a lie? 😭
Iamheno 4 points 1y ago
The social model of disability states that disability is the inability to participate fully in home and community life. The interaction between functional limitations or impairments and physical and social barriers to full participation create disabling environments. The social model distinguishes between disabilities and impairments. Disabilities are restrictions imposed by society. Impairments are the effects of any given condition. The solution, according to this model, lies not in fixing the person, but in changing our society. Medical care, for example, should not focus on cures or treatments in order to rid our bodies of functional impairments. Instead, this care should focus on enhancing our daily function in society.
So if I am A PERSON WITH A VISUAL IMPAIRMENT I see no issue with the model.
If someone asks me I find it easiest to say “I ***have*** low vision, or a vision impairment.” Not I ***am*** **visually impaired.** The impairment does not define me.
So if I am A PERSON WITH A VISUAL IMPAIRMENT I see no issue with the model.
If someone asks me I find it easiest to say “I ***have*** low vision, or a vision impairment.” Not I ***am*** **visually impaired.** The impairment does not define me.
DrillInstructorJan 3 points 1y ago
The problem with all that stuff is that there are things I would like to do that I can't because I can't see and that are nobody's fault. The whole social model thing is just a political tool not a way to deal with anything.
Let's just say if you don't want the magic cure you don't have to take it but please don't ever speak for anyone else.
Let's just say if you don't want the magic cure you don't have to take it but please don't ever speak for anyone else.
Iamheno 3 points 1y ago
Oh, I don’t speak for anyone else. The #1 answer I give to everything is “It depends.”
OP asked how I feel, so that’s how I feel. OP also asked about social model, and admits elsewhere they aren’t sure what the social model is, so I provided a textbook definition.
in some ways I like the social model, as a rehabilitation professional it will be my job to advocate for myself and my client as well as teach others to advocate for themselves in a proper manner. Pushing for universal design concepts is not a bad thing as it means things become accessible and better for EVERYONE, but I also realize at times an impairment can be a disability. For instance I have zero issues if I’m seeing a doctor with a visual impairment, but I’d hesitate if they walked in with their cane or guide dog and introduce themself as my surgeon. Could they consult? Yes. Could they be using robotic tools, cameras, tech, or walking someone else through the surgery? Yes. But if it was a general operation I’m asking a boatload of questions!
So given the correct accommodation/adaptation, which is what the social model is advocating at its heart IMO, a disability becomes an impairment.
‘Honesty, as I go into the Vision Rehabilitation field that is how I see my role as a VRT, moving people from one to the other.
OP asked how I feel, so that’s how I feel. OP also asked about social model, and admits elsewhere they aren’t sure what the social model is, so I provided a textbook definition.
in some ways I like the social model, as a rehabilitation professional it will be my job to advocate for myself and my client as well as teach others to advocate for themselves in a proper manner. Pushing for universal design concepts is not a bad thing as it means things become accessible and better for EVERYONE, but I also realize at times an impairment can be a disability. For instance I have zero issues if I’m seeing a doctor with a visual impairment, but I’d hesitate if they walked in with their cane or guide dog and introduce themself as my surgeon. Could they consult? Yes. Could they be using robotic tools, cameras, tech, or walking someone else through the surgery? Yes. But if it was a general operation I’m asking a boatload of questions!
So given the correct accommodation/adaptation, which is what the social model is advocating at its heart IMO, a disability becomes an impairment.
‘Honesty, as I go into the Vision Rehabilitation field that is how I see my role as a VRT, moving people from one to the other.
je97 3 points 1y ago
I think it applies to my mother, who has okay vision but only in one eye. I use the term blind because I'm blind, and as far as I was taught growing up that's what it's called. It's quite hard to convince someone to adopt a term they have no reason to.
petite4eyes 2 points 1y ago
As long as you remember there are more attributes to a person than having a VI, it’s fine:) I’m a person who has a VI; I’m also a person who is Catholic, good at writing, and loves to go running.
WEugeneSmith 2 points 1y ago
I have no problem with the term visually impaired. However, I struggle to find the term that best describes my situation.
I have some sight, but I am unable to read, drive, or do many things that I was able to do before.
I do hate the term "legally blind". For one thing, it seems to imply there are outlaws out there who are blind illegally! Also, if I tell someone I am legally blind (as a way of explanation when necessary), I find they don't quite get it. What is most infuriating is when they respond "OH! I understand! I am legally blind without my glasses." Ok. But when you put on your glasses you can drive a car, right?
If I say that I am blind, I find that is not quite accurate either. I feel it is almost insulting to those with no sight at all to use that designation for myself, when I can still see somewhat.
I do say that I am blind when talking to tech support people on the phone, because it takes longer for me to complete some tasks, while others (such as reading the serial number) are impossible for me.
So I am still in linguistic limbo about this when it comes to self-identifying.
I have some sight, but I am unable to read, drive, or do many things that I was able to do before.
I do hate the term "legally blind". For one thing, it seems to imply there are outlaws out there who are blind illegally! Also, if I tell someone I am legally blind (as a way of explanation when necessary), I find they don't quite get it. What is most infuriating is when they respond "OH! I understand! I am legally blind without my glasses." Ok. But when you put on your glasses you can drive a car, right?
If I say that I am blind, I find that is not quite accurate either. I feel it is almost insulting to those with no sight at all to use that designation for myself, when I can still see somewhat.
I do say that I am blind when talking to tech support people on the phone, because it takes longer for me to complete some tasks, while others (such as reading the serial number) are impossible for me.
So I am still in linguistic limbo about this when it comes to self-identifying.
VulpineAdversary 2 points 1y ago
Never heard of the 'social model', but the very phrase makes me itch. I much prefer the term blind. When people say visually impaired all I hear is "I want everyone to think I care about the eye-crippleds".
DrillInstructorJan 2 points 1y ago
I'm about as blind as you can be but I really don't care, there's so much more important stuff to worry about than getting all political about it.
phasemorgsmom 1 points 1y ago
Im from india and people here are not aware of this terminology. My uncle who is a verry educated man always addressed me as vi in emails and people never understood it. I personally am way more comfortable with partially blind or blind, it clearly sends the message across with no confusion.
Blindman2k17 1 points 1y ago
It doesn’t bother me but I am totally blind and when someone speaks on my behalf or before I get a chance to speak and they say he is visually impaired it bothers me. Because I’m totally blind which means I have no vision to be impaired lol.
SoapyRiley 1 points 1y ago
Visually impaired is exactly what describes me. My vision is corrected to 20/40 but it’s distorted because of a combo of glaucoma symptoms and neurological disease. My neighbor, who I’m just getting to know, asked if I was hard of sight after he saw me go out with my cane one day. I thought that was cute and also fitting. I don’t really understand having different models of disability. If you have a condition that forces you to modify your normal activities in some way to make them possible or they are impossible for you, you’re disabled. We should do as much as we can ( socially & medically) to lessen the impact of the disability on a person, but it doesn’t change the fact that they have one ( or more).
Laser_Lens_4 1 points 1y ago
There’s nothing wrong with it. I use it all the time. If you’re visually impaired, you have low vision. If you’re blind, you have no vision or not enough vision for it to be useful. That’s how I use those terms
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
I have no issues with the term and I guess the model seems interesting and not terrible but I don’t like the political correctness. Having a political background a little bit and assistive tech one, I can say that it is about fixing the system and the world and adapting things much much less about terms. Words are words and labels and that’s about it. Let’s not focus and fuss about them. They won’t solve the problem if we keep fighting over what we call ourselves or whatever. Lets’ focus on the important stuff right, the politics, and social change and a better future. As a person who understands social change, legislation and making things happen words matter a bit but mostly action is more important.
baistei 1 points 1y ago
I say legally blind because visually impaired implies that it could be corrected with glasses from my experience. If I say legally blind than folks tend to take me seriously. I'm 20/300ish.
bradley22 1 points 1y ago
It doesn’t bother me.
[deleted] [OP] 1 points 1y ago
[deleted]
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