[Blindtlk] Making our home comfortable for sighted folks

[Sherry Gomes]

I think it's possible to do both.  I'm totally blind, and my apartment is
comfortable for my use, but it is also pleasing visually.  Several years
ago, I paid a friend who is an artist, to help me redecorate and we put
together a lovely home that is comfortable for me as well as visually
pleasing.  I purposely do not have my TV in the sitting area, but sighted
people could sit on my couch and watch it if they wanted.  I have color
schemes throughout the place, pictures that go along with the decor, area
rugs to pull it all together.  I also have reed defusers that spread nice
aromas in the rooms.  We tried to make it appealing to all the senses, so
the materials are pleasant for me to touch along with the view being nice
for sighted visitors.

But this is just me.  I've always had a thing about decor and after years of
living with mismatched pieces, it was a treat for me, for myself, to have a
beautifully pulled together, yet still comfortable home.  I have two dogs,
and there is dog hair around no matter how I vacuum, dog toys all over the
floor.  I pile books around.  It's not a showpiece, it's meant to be lived
in.  I'm single, but when people visit, blind or sighted, they are usually
comfortable in my home, and I like that.


Sherry

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Jim Portillo
Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2011 2:37 AM
To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
Subject: [Blindtlk] Making our home comfortable for sighted folks

Hi there,

 

Here's a question that I guess could also be somewhat philosophical.  As
blind folks, do you think we have a responsibility to not only make our
homes comfortable and accessible for us and the folks with whom we live, but
also to sighted folks?  

I've heard comments in the past that basically say that since it's a blind
person's home, then the only thing that should be of concern is that things
are comfortable and accessible for the blind person.

 

I've been thinking a lot about this over a long period of time.  I have some
friends that come over, and one in particular who stays in my guest room
when he's in town, and when all of that happens, I'm the only blind person
around.  All of a sudden, I begin to think about lights and the amount of
light in a room.  I begin thinking of making sure that appliances that are
labeled in Braille are done using clear tape so that they can also use them.
I even began thinking of the layout of my living room and how one of my
friends finally said that it was uncomfortable to do things like watch TV or
watch movies, because of how my furniture and TV are placed.  People have to
face sideways to be able to watch TV.  And, my TV is so old that it doesn't
support or have HD capabilities.

 

I began wondering about the importance of a blind person having an
aesthetically or visually appealing house, not only for himself but also for
the sighted friends and family that come to visit.  Are we being selfish by
not considering these things, or should sighted company learn to live with
how we have things and deal with them?

 

I'm beginning to think that if I care about my friends and family, then I
should do something to make them feel comfortable in a place where they
spend quite a bit of time.  But then, where does one draw the line?

 

Anyway, hope you don't mind the question.  Just curious what other blind
folks (especially those who are totally blind) think.

Thanks,

Jim

 

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