Here are some miscellaneous tips and misconceptions for sighted people who want to be a better ally to the Blind / Visually Impaired:
- Don't assume how much residual vision we have even if you think you can tell. Do not ask extensive questions about our vision and what we can or can't see in general unless we give permission. Don't try to figure it out on your own either.
- Blindness is a spectrum and there are many different ways to be blind. Some of us have very complex vision or vision that isn't static. Someone could read a book fine, but still be blind because they have a very small field of vision and no depth perception. Anyone on the blind spectrum is welcome to identify as blind.
- We act "more blind" than we are because people will refuse us help when we need it if we don't "fit the blind bill" so to speak. Don't accuse anyone of faking for any reason but especially for that one.
- It's not your place to expect us to blend into the sighted world the best we can or use as much of our vision as we can. A lot of us choose not to use our residual vision because with certain kinds of blindness, it takes conscious effort to see/process what we are seeing. It's easier to be blind than see sometimes.
- Ask if we need accommodations or for you to adapt how you usually communicate. Do not assume we do or don't need them.
- Start adding image descriptions to ALL images you send/post anywhere. Start considering blind people and screen reader users everywhere because trust me, we are everywhere!
- Stop using "blind" and blindness as an insult, joke or metaphor. There are some uses of those words unrelated to visual impairment that are fine when used respectfully (i.e, "a blinding light") but choose your words carefully.
- People who have perfect vision with glasses, "visually impaired" is not your term
- For fiction writers, stop with the blind seer / "blind but has super cool special abilities that make up for it or entirely erase it somehow" tropes please.
- Stop using small text in your posts
- Put image descriptions/alt text on the images in your carrds and rentrys and whatnot. Start putting them on your blog or get help to.
- We don't want to hear about your grandpa that's going blind or your pet cat that lost an eye while we're just trying to wait in line for coffee
- Treat white canes like you would treat any other disability aid: it is an extension of the person's body, don't touch it or move it without permission. Don't ask to try it out.
- DeafBlind people exist. We're out there. We're not a myth. Consider us too. There are many ways of interacting with the world that do not involve sight or hearing.
- Don't tell us about your all consuming fear about the treacherous horrors of vision loss and how you wouldn't want to live if you went blind. Blindness is our reality, not your nightmare. Examine why blindness is so terrifying to you and work to overcome it.
Blind/Visually Impaired people, feel free to add on!