The Challenges and Triumphs of Being a Blind Person in a Sighted World
Living in a world built for those who can see poses unique challenges for those who are blind or visually impaired. The ability to navigate unfamiliar environments, access information, and participate in social activities can be limited, making daily life more arduous. However, people who are visually impaired have shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. In this article, we explore the challenges and triumphs of being a blind person in a sighted world.
Challenges Faced by People with Visual Impairments
The barriers that visually impaired people face are numerous and multifaceted. Some of the challenges commonly experienced by people with visual impairments include:
1. Navigation
Getting around in unfamiliar environments can be daunting for visually impaired people. The majority of urban environments have not been designed with visually impaired individuals in mind, making it challenging to navigate. Mobility challenges are not just limited to streets and buildings; outdoor paths, signs, and crossing traffic also present navigation obstacles.
2. Access to Information
Another major hurdle faced by people with visual impairments is the lack of access to information, printed materials such as books, brochures, and newspapers are not always available in Braille, and audio information is also often hard to come by. This restricts the ability of visually impaired individuals to learn and stay informed about the world around them.
3. Employment
Employment can also be difficult for individuals with visual impairments. Employers are often reluctant to hire those who are vision impaired due to assumptions that it can affect overall job performance, but this is not the case. This discrimination is often rooted in lack of understanding. Many visually impaired individuals have valuable skills to offer in the workplace, but these skills are often undervalued.
4. Social Participation
Social participation can also be a challenge for people with visual impairments. Many sighted individuals may feel uncomfortable engaging with someone who is visually impaired due to not knowing how to communicate effectively or not wanting to cause offense. This social exclusion can lead to isolation and can harm a visually impaired individual’s overall well-being.
Triumphs of People with Visual Impairments
Despite the challenges, people who are visually impaired have shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. Here are just a few examples of the numerous triumphs that visually-impaired individuals have accomplished:
1. Paralympic Athletes
People with visual impairments have the opportunity to participate in sports at the Paralympic level. In events such as running, skiing, and swimming, Paralympians have shown that visually impairments do not have to be a barrier to athleticism.
2. Trendsetters
A visually impaired person, Chris Downey, broke down misconceptions in the architecture industry by continuing to design new buildings after losing his sight during a surgery. He went further to create practical replacements for his lost sense of sight that can translate into designs usable by non-visually impaired.
3. Inspirational Speakers
Many visually impaired individuals have utilized their experience and advocacy skills by becoming inspirational speakers. They share their personal stories of resilience and overcoming adversity, inspire others, and break down stereotypes associated with their disabilities.
Conclusion
The challenges of being visually impaired in a sighted world can be overwhelming, but the resilience of visually-impaired people is remarkable. With technology and increasing understanding of visual impairments, the challenges faced by those who are visually impaired are slowly being removed.Visually-impaired people have accomplished amazing triumphs in the face of adversity, inspiring others and breaking down barriers in multiple sectors. As a result, every sighted person must work to create inclusive environments where persons with a visual impairment can thrive socially, academically, and professionally. The goal is to empower visually impaired people rather than view them as helpless and dependent on others.
