Things You Shouldn't Do or Say to a Blind Person
Things You Shouldn't Do or Say to a Blind Person
Words matter and they have an impact, whether that impact was intentional or not. Many times we are not aware of the weight our words carry unless those words are directed towards us or whether we understand their impact because of the position we are in.
Words matter and they have an impact, whether that impact was intentional or not. Many times we are not aware of the weight our words carry unless those words are directed towards us or whether we understand their impact because of the position we are in.
The truth is, we often say things and have no malice in our intentions, but it is important to remember that we can not control the way our words make someone feel.
The truth is, we often say things and have no malice in our intentions, but it is important to remember that we can not control the way our words make someone feel.
Here is a short list of some things you should think twice about saying or doing to a blind or visually impaired person.
Here is a short list of some things you should think twice about saying or doing to a blind or visually impaired person.
DON’T SAY: "I don’t know how you do it, I wouldn’t be able to handle that if it happened to me or one thing I wouldn’t like to lose is my sight".
DON’T SAY: "I don’t know how you do it, I wouldn’t be able to handle that if it happened to me or one thing I wouldn’t like to lose is my sight".
This is a very insensitive thing to say, don't use someone's actual situation to talk about how lucky you are, they are not an example of what you don't want to happen to you.
This is a very insensitive thing to say, don't use someone's actual situation to talk about how lucky you are, they are not an example of what you don't want to happen to you.
DON’T SAY: "You can’t do *blank* if you can’t see" (if you genuinely want to know how someone does something, think about rephrasing your question. Maybe ask “Tell me about how you do *blank*".)
DON’T SAY: "You can’t do *blank* if you can’t see" (if you genuinely want to know how someone does something, think about rephrasing your question. Maybe ask “Tell me about how you do *blank*".)
DON’T: Assume they can’t feed themselves or dress themselves
DON’T: Assume they can’t feed themselves or dress themselves
A disability is not an inability, it just provides a unique way to do something.
A disability is not an inability, it just provides a unique way to do something.
DON’T ASK: "How do you watch TV?"
DON’T ASK: "How do you watch TV?"
It is amazing how strong the sense of hearing becomes for the blind or visually impaired. They can follow along by just listening. Also, there are many audio described options available that enhance the experience.
It is amazing how strong the sense of hearing becomes for the blind or visually impaired. They can follow along by just listening. Also, there are many audio described options available that enhance the experience.
DON’T SAY: "You can’t see, you don’t need to be able to do *blank*"
DON’T SAY: "You can’t see, you don’t need to be able to do *blank*"
DON’T SAY: "You shouldn’t get involved in this because you can’t see"
DON’T SAY: "You shouldn’t get involved in this because you can’t see"
You do not have the right to tell someone what they can and can't do because of their disability.
You do not have the right to tell someone what they can and can't do because of their disability.
DON’T: Ignore them. They can answer questions, don’t direct a question about them to another person and ignore them
DON’T: Ignore them. They can answer questions, don’t direct a question about them to another person and ignore them
They are a person, just like you and just like anyone else. Losing your sight does not affect your ability to be an agent for your self.
They are a person, just like you and just like anyone else. Losing your sight does not affect your ability to be an agent for your self.
DON’T: Act out a motion without describing it
DON’T: Act out a motion without describing it
DON’T: Use visual communication like nodding or shaking your head
DON’T: Use visual communication like nodding or shaking your head
It can be second nature to rely on visual cues, it will take a while to rewire your brain to avoid this, if you notice the person is not following along remember to audibly explain your point or use a physical description on them.
It can be second nature to rely on visual cues, it will take a while to rewire your brain to avoid this, if you notice the person is not following along remember to audibly explain your point or use a physical description on them.
DON’T: Call their cane a stick
DON’T: Call their cane a stick
DON’T: Take their cane away
DON’T: Take their cane away
Their cane is a very important tool that adds to their independence, it is important to always be respectful. You may think you are helping by taking their cane away and leading them yourself but you're not. Don't do this unless they explicitly ask you to.
Their cane is a very important tool that adds to their independence, it is important to always be respectful. You may think you are helping by taking their cane away and leading them yourself but you're not. Don't do this unless they explicitly ask you to.
DON’T SAY: I wish you could see this
DON’T SAY: I wish you could see this
Be kind, be helpful and be respectful.
Be kind, be helpful and be respectful.
If you want to help, remember to ask the person if you can before you do.
If you want to help, remember to ask the person if you can before you do.
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