[Blindtlk] Making our home comfortable for sighted folks

[Judy Jones]

Hi, Jim,

I think you're right.

If you're prone to hospitality, or have sighted spouse and children, the 
house should definitely take into consideration the comfort of sighted 
folks.  Little things like pictures, centered and hung at eye level, and, 
like you said, the placement of the TV; making sure burnt out light bulbs 
are replaced, outside ones as well.

I've always used one of those light probes the NFB sells, $20, to check for 
lights periodically.

I've always decorated with plants and flowers, although not everyone does. 
Nick-nacks are back out now the girls are grown, of course.

The other thing we wouldn't notice is windows; open the curtains during the 
day in the living areas, and cleaning windows about once a week.  They get 
streaky and dirty.  Same with mirrors; they get dull with shower steam so 
also need windex cleaning.

I was always taught, if you're not sure or can't see if something is clean, 
clean it anyway.  Sighties can see finger prints, dust, streaky glass. 
dirty carpets and floors.  BTW, don't forget that TV screen.  You can windex 
that, too.

Hope this helps.

Judy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Portillo" <portillo.jim at gmail.com>
To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2011 2:37 AM
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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