There are many questions that everyone is wondering about the blind and visually impaired. But isn't it missing for us that we don't think about how blind or visually impaired people think when asking these questions, whether they are uncomfortable, or that these questions may be related to their private life? Below we have shared with you some questions that should not be asked to blind or visually impaired people. After reading this article, we believe that you will also stop wondering about these questions.
1- How did you become blind?
You do not look like you have visual disabilities at all. As a society, we judge many actions that happen to people outside of their choices throughout life. However, some actions do not happen under people's control. Being blind or visually impaired is also an involuntary situation. Perhaps as a result of an accident, perhaps from birth... As we have said above, asking someone “How did you become visually impaired?”, might have some hurtful outcomes for the person. We do not know about the negative experiences or the past of people. So, we must act accordingly and be polite to them.
2- Can't you see my hand? What number do my fingers show?
Being able to empathize is a competence that must be present in all people and is essential. Because asking a question like the one above means that we do not respect the person in front of us and we do not believe in him.
3- Do you have any mental disabilities? Can you understand me?
The condition of being visually impaired only means losing sight. However, some people tend to ignore this when communicating with blind and visually impaired people and think that they might have other disabilities. An example from our daily lives is; many people speak with loud voices when they are around blind or visually impaired persons as if they have some other disabilities. This opinion, which has been thought about and reached about the blind / visually impaired, is a wrong and crude thought.
4- Do you want to recognize my face with your hands?
Another judgment that is wrong and needs to be corrected is the belief in the facial recognition requirement. Just as we introduce ourselves when meeting a new person for the first time, we should start communication by describing ourselves and giving descriptive details in the same way when we meet a blind or visually impaired person. In addition, we must not forget that the main point is to make a personal description, and facial recognition is not necessary.
5- How do you endure life?
Life is one of the most beautiful gifts bestowed upon people. People who ask this question to the blind and visually impaired forget that life can only be enjoyable when it is visible and that people with visual impairments can also enjoy life. But the blind or visually impaired know that the eyes are not the touchstone of this short time called life and many beauties in the world are worth living for: the sound of a sparrow coming from outside, the smell of chamomile, the childish excitement that occurs in you when you hear the voice of your loved one, and more... People with or without any disabilities should always enjoy their lives and respect differences.
6- Is your partner blind or visually impaired as well?
Love is a feeling that strikes the logical faculties that every human being in the world must experience. It is one of the most natural needs of visually impaired people to be able to fall in love and create a family. However, some prejudiced people think that visually impaired people can only be a partner of blind and visually impaired people. It is wrong to ask questions about and imply this. Just as there are no limitations in any relationship, there cannot and should not be any limitations in relationships that visually impaired people can have.
7- How do you go from one place to another?
Transportation is an issue that arouses curiosity about the lives of the blind and visually impaired but has no difficulties for them. Because they can benefit from the innovations brought by technology and solve this problem very easily by communicating with people. They can also travel very easily to any place accompanied by their white canes.
8- How can you not see?
This is a question that is asked most frequently to the blind and visually impaired and is impossible to answer. We kept this question, which was asked by many people without thinking, to the end because it was the most absurd one among the frequently asked questions. It is completely unnecessary to ask if any medical response is expected in return for the question.
In today's world, where millions of people live, it is not acceptable to be someone who still does not respect the differences of people. Because differences don't disappear when they become a problem, but when you live stubbornly with them. If we pay attention to the above-mentioned points when communicating with the blind and visually impaired who are in society as individuals and have equal rights with us, and if we gain the competence to empathize, we are sure that the world will be a more livable place for everyone
Author: Enes Can Ulutaş / BlindLook Team
