Disability Justice Curriculum Section 5

Section 5: Blindness

Area 1: Blindness 101 – How to Interact with Blind People
Area 2: Creating Accessible Spaces and Materials
Area 3: Resources for Blind Survivors

Summary

In this section, learners will explore the barriers to services survivors who are blind, low vision, and/or visually impaired experience and how to mitigate those barriers. We will use identity-first language and the word “blind.” Identity-first language, as opposed to person-first language, is generally the preferred way to refer to blind people, though it is always a good idea to ask individuals about their preferences. For example, many people feel comfortable saying, “I’m a blind man/woman/person” or “I’m blind.” Others may prefer to say “I’m a person with blindness/low vision/visual impairment.” Asking - and respecting - the individual’s preference is one way to restore autonomy and empower them.

The word “blind” has historically carried – and still does for many – a negative connotation. However, “blind” is not a bad or negative word! Many blind people are comfortable with and even proud of their blindness. Therefore, we will use “blind” throughout this section to refer to anyone with vision loss, regardless of the degree of such loss. This emphasizes that the degree of vision should not impact their ability to heal, grow, work, or benefit from resources and services. While you may feel uncomfortable about saying “blind” because it elicits fear or feelings of helplessness, embracing this word and using it in the way your clients prefer builds respect and rapport, and emphasizes a positive philosophy about disability.

When possible, we have included resources created by blind people, as blind people’s lived experience and knowledge provide powerful and accurate information. Additionally, because blindness is an often stigmatized disability, the blind community sometimes holds differing opinions and ideas amongst ourselves, and still more different ideas from sighted individuals who “serve” the community. No two blind people – like no two sighted people – are exactly the same. Get to know your whole client without focusing any more or less on their blindness than is helpful to them.

Many of the suggestions and ideas provided elsewhere in this document apply to blind people as well. In particular, providers may find it useful to review the information about service dogs, reflecting on how we think about and talk about disability, and the common mistakes we make when supporting others.

Area 1: Blindness 101 – How to Interact with Blind People

COURTESY Rules of Blindness: 8-point webpage by the National Federation of the Blind. Description: this resource provides simple do’s and don’ts for interacting with a blind person. The page emphasizes asking before attempting to help, the importance of nonvisual skills, and usage of a long white cane.

Basic Human Guide Technique: 7 minute 35 second video by the Kansas State School for the Blind. Description: This explains how to perform the human guide technique. This video provides useful information, including a note that blind people may not always want assistance or a guide. Ask first, and respect the blind person’s request to walk without a guide if applicable. This is especially important for survivors of assault, and they may prefer not to be touched at all. Relatedly, the video suggests that the human guide gently touch back of the hand of the blind person with the back of the guide’s hand to let the blind person know where the guide is and to initiate the blind person to hold onto the guide’s arm just above the elbow. While this hand-to-hand procedure is the accepted norm, it is important to first tell the blind person that you are going to touch the back of their hand with the back of yours. Again, blind survivors may not want to be touched at all, so engaging in the human guide process (even if the survivor requests it) may be difficult, so obtaining consent before any physical contact is imperative.

How do Blind and Visually Impaired People use Mobile Devices?: 1762 word blog post by Life of a Blind Girl. Description: This post discusses the accessibility features on smart phones. The article is not a “how to,” but rather an introductory piece explains how blind people might use a mobile device effectively. Remember that many blind people have been using smart phones and other devices for quite some time and that they are the experts in the use of their devices. However, some blind survivors may have been denied access to these devices and/or the training on how to use these accessibility features. If this is the case, the best solution is to locate a blind technology trainer and pay them to help the client learn these skills.

Introduction to Screenreaders: 1 hour webinar by A11yTalks. Description: This webinar describes screen readers, how they’re used, and gives an overview of several popular screen reader options. Note that both Windows and Mac have built-in screen reading technology, which is accessible from the control panel or settings menu. NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) is a free screen reading software that can be downloaded from the internet. Finally, Job Access for Windows Systems (JAWS) is available for purchase from Freedom Scientific but many blind people find that native options (such as Narrator for Windows and VoiceOver for Mac) or free options (e.g., NVDA) are sufficient.

Adaptive Equipment and Aids for Blind People (resources under description). Description: Blind people often benefit from the use of adaptive aids and equipment, such as a cane and bump dots for labeling. Blind survivors may have been denied access to these items and/or may have had to leave them behind. Providing access to certain pieces of adaptive equipment (i.e., a long white cane) is necessary to ensure safety, confidence, and independence during the healing process. The resources below are good for specific items. Mainstream stores such as Amazon may also carry certain times and offer faster shipping times. It is important to remember that every blind person is different, and we all have unique equipment and aid packages. Work with your blind client to determine which items are needed and useful. Avoid assuming you know what a blind person needs just because an item “looks helpful” or because you are unsure how you would complete a task if you were blind without a certain piece of equipment.

• Independent Living Aids
• Maxi Aids
• Independence Market

Area 2: Creating Accessible Spaces and Materials

How Lighting Affects Vision: 800 word webpage primer on lighting by the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind. Description: This resource discusses the importance of lighting and how it can enhance or detract from someone’s residual vision. While lighting can make all the difference for some blind people with usable vision, it is important to know that, for some people, bright lights can be painful. Just because someone has some vision, does not mean that they will prefer to do tasks visually. It is never appropriate to encourage someone to “try (harder) to use their vision.” Many blind people choose nonvisual techniques because they are safer, more easily accomplished, and do not cause eye strain or fatigue. As with other accommodations or assistance, follow the lead of the blind person, respect their preferences, and be sure not to push your vision-centered ideas onto their environment.

Braille Signage FAQ: 1200 word webpage by GreenDot Sign. Description: This page provides information on the ADA requirements for braille signage. It gives some information on the importance of accessible signage as well as a very brief history of the evolution of the braille code. Sustainable, eco-friendly, signs can also be ordered on this page.

AFB Accessibility Resources: 200 word webpage with 9 additional webpage links by the American Foundation for the Blind. Description: This page includes links to many resources on how to make accessible webpages. Take special note of the social media guidelines, as blind people enjoy and benefit from information and communication via this outlet. The Berkeley Web Access page also offers 10 Tips for Making Your Website Accessible. Making your website accessible is a critical step to ensuring that blind survivors can access your information and services! The best way to ensure that your website is compliant with accessibility standards is to 1) hire a blind web developer to create it, and 2) hire blind accessibility testers to confirm the usability.

64oz Games: A website with braille card games and board games. Description: Blind people enjoy recreation and leisure activities, such as playing board or card games. Games found in shelters are often not accessible to blind residents, increasing feelings of isolation and limiting their options. 64oz Games is dedicated to making gameplay accessible to blind people, and they maintain a wide selection of accessibility kits which can be paired with many popular games to make them playable by blind and sighted folks together.

Area 3: Resources for Blind Survivors

Domestic Violence Has Many Faces: 750 word essay by Linda Fugate, Ed.D, CVRT. Description: This post details her personal story of the intersection of blindness and domestic violence. Note that we share this as a potential resource for a blind client to find solidarity and hope in knowing that they are not alone. Content warning: firsthand discussion of domestic violence, feelings of inadequacy due to vision loss.

Accessible Banking Apps: A consumer-driven question thread on AppleVis. Description: which lists some banking apps which are accessible with VoiceOver (the screen reading software on Apple devices)

Accessible Moble Money Management: 3,400 word webpage evaluating several money management apps by the American Foundation for the Blind. Description: This page outlines the accessibility features and gives a consumer-driven opinion on the usability of such apps.

Healing Through Music: A Concert by a Blind Survivor: 1 hour and 8 minute concert by Wayne Pearcy (trumpet) and Matt Savage. Description: This concert was arranged and performed by a blind male survivor of sexual assault. He put together and shared the concert to help blind survivors heal from the trauma of sexual assault.