Most people have never met a blind or visually impaired person. Those who do often have questions that they may be afraid to ask for fear of offending the visually impaired person. Some of these questions may refer to things like picking out one's clothes, getting around, and accomplishing daily activities. As a person who has been completely blind pretty much my entire life I must say that these questions from people that may seem silly or obvious are not offensive. Most blind and visually impaired people would actually prefer that people ask us those questions. I personally enjoy chances to tell people about who I am, and how I live my life so that they may understand me better. It also gives me an opportunity to educate the world about how it truly is to be a blind person in 2016. Here I hope to answer some questions that people want to know the answers to, but may be nervous about asking.
1. How do I know what clothes I am wearing? Often times I know what clothes I have on because of the way the material of the article of clothing feels. I may also know by the texture of images or logos that may be on the clothing. I do not know what I'm wearing 100% of the time what I am wearing, but if I don't know I ask someone.
2. How do I read textbooks and papers for school? Sometimes my books are scanned into a computer enabling them to be put into a compatible format for me to read. Other times I take a picture of the text with my iPhone, which will then read the information to me via text to speech software built into the phone.
3. While we're on the subject, how do I use a computer. Computers have software for the blind and visually impaired that can be downloaded on them. This software reads the information presented on the screen so that a person with little or no vision can use the computer independently.
4. How do I get where I need to go independently? I personally use a long white cane to travel independently. Sliding it across the ground provides tactile cues that enable me to go where I need to go without getting lost or sustaining injury. Some people have service animals that provide much the same service.
5. How do I date? People with little to no vision do not really concern ourselves with physical attractiveness. Dating and marriage compatibility is almost solely based on personality characteristics and how much we enjoy being with that person.
6. How do I watch tv? Typically when I want to watch television I just listen to the show or movie and pick out the important parts for myself. Yes, I may miss some visual concepts, but I usually get a majority of the information. It is also possible to watch some shows with audio description. This service is played over the show itself, and it describes visual elements of the show that will enhance a blind or visually impaired person's understanding of the content.
7. Are my senses really heightened due to my lack of vision? Technically, no. I do not actually have better hearing than most people. I just have to rely on it more than most people. Therefore, my hearing is more well trained to notice subtle differences that most people miss because they don't have to notice them. It may seem like my hearing is superior because I can hear higher pitched sounds, or sounds that are farther away, but in the end it all comes down to the fact that I have had to train my ears better than most other people.
I hope I have addressed some questions that people may be nervous to ask but want to know. If you have questions I encourage you to just go for it and ask them. Most blind and visually impaired people will not get upset with you. Also remember however that we are human. Sometimes we have bad days, and we don't want to answer questions we may have had to answer a million times. Nine times out of ten though we will answer your questions to the best of our ability. Also remember that just because something works for me doesn't necessarily mean it works for another blind person.
