The Frustrating Side of Being Blind
Many blind people get asked the question(s):
"What is the hardest part of being blind?"
or
"What frustrates you as a blind person?"
This section is here to answer those questions. I could have put it under the Blind FAQ, but this is such a huge topic area I feel it was best put on its own page.
Talking to a Blind Person
The number one frustration of being blind is how other people talk to you. With visually impaired people being relatively few and far between, many members of the sighted community do not know that communicating with a blind person is much the same as communicating to anyone else.
Commonly, sighted people will do one of three things when talking to a blind person.
1. Talk loudly, as though the blind person can't hear.
2. Talk to the blind person like they are a small child.
3. Talk to the person about the blind person to any sighted people that blind person is with, as if the blind person cannot talk for his or herself.
I will go into talking to blind people in more depth on another page I am currently working on but basically, you should treat someone who is blind as you would anyone else. Some blind people prefer that you tell them who you are when you first start up a conversation until they are familiar with your voice enough to recognize you later on without such introductions. As well, when talking to a blind person you do not need to raise your voice, talk down to the blind as though they are a small child, or talk to the person the blind person is with. Such actions are widely viewed in the visually impaired community as rude.
Giving Help
Another huge frustration with being blind is people who give help to you before you need it, or even without asking. We do realize that anyone wanting to help is just that, wanting to help and doesn't mean any harm. Help is often much appreciated, but be sure to ask first, and make sure the blind person would like help before you assist them.
It is also frustrating that in the blind community there are people who refuse help, and may be very rude to anyone who offers it. This may make the rest of us look bad, and may also decrease the chances of someone offering to help in the future.
Interfering with Canes or Guide Dogs
When you see a blind person with either a white cane, or a guide dog, be sure not to pet the dog, or touch or grab the cane. This is actually quite common, particularly petting a guide dog. Please understand that touching the dog, or moving, or grabbing the cane can distract the blind person or the dog, and could be dangerous. Not to mention, interfering with a cane is really unnecessary and may be viewed as rude or irritating to the blind person.
If you would like to look at a white cane, or pet a guide dog, or have any questions about either, most blind people will be more than happy to humour you, as long as you ask first.