[Blindtlk] Making our home comfortable for sighted folks

[Judy Jones]

That sounds really lovely.

Judy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sherry Gomes" <sherriola at gmail.com>
To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2011 12:10 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Making our home comfortable for sighted folks


>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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