[Blindtlk] Use of the Term Visually Impaired

Mon Jul 8 19:49:50 UTC 2013

Hello,
I am "legally blind" and when I say that I describe myself as having some
vision. "Low-vision","high partial", were all terms used to describe me
when I was a kid. I heard folks say things like that. I never know exactly
which one I was. I don't really like the term "legally blind" even though I
use it all the time. I wonder what others think? Are there "legally deaf",
"legally handicap"? This is a good discussion and can go very deep in
thought. I guess since I have some sight and can read print with a CCTV or
a magnifier I would be considered to be "visually impaired" or "legally
blind". Since the vision I do have is impaired compared to that of a person
with 20/20 vision. However, then it can be argued that everyone that has
less than the so called perfect vision of 20/20 vision would then be
considered visually impaired, right? The term "blind" defined as one with
out sight  is a perfect description to describe one that is completely
without sight. What and how would the description or term be for a person
with "low-vision"? Legally blind?
Thanks,
Mari Hunziker
On Mon, Jul 8, 2013 at 2:03 PM, Carly Mihalakis <carlymih at comcast.net>wrote:

> Good afternoon, Dave,
>
> Should there be a certain cohesion within the blind group, blindness if
> not ultrawatered down with all this shit, which actually like all that
> euphamistic mumbojumbo people use is effectively meaningless, except for
> making people feel all warm and fuzzy, the term BLIND has the potential to
> take on a certain power and respectability. What do my brothers and sisters
> in blindness think?
> Caris meaningAt 05:51 AM 6/24/2013, you wrote:
>
>> Good morning. Many of us who have been blind, to whatever degree for a
>> while,  use the B word for a couple of reasons. Terms such as visually
>> impaired, hard of seeing, unsighted, multiply blind, unsightly, visually
>> diminished, (please add other euphemisms as you see fit) do so because we
>> want to promote the inherent respectability of being blind. Now everyone
>> will use whatever they are comfortable with, I know. The other factor is
>> that Blind has a legal definition. Some states have a definition of
>> Visually Impaired, some do not. I think it may sometimes encourage people
>> to learn those alternative techniques which, may help them in their daily
>> lives.
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces@**nfbnet.org<blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org>]
>> On Behalf Of Carly Mihalakis
>> Sent: Saturday, June 22, 2013 7:52 PM
>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List; Blind Talk Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Use of the Term Visually Impaired
>>
>> Good afternoon, Mark,
>>
>> Agreed! Have you not visual perception, at all? What then, could b
>> characterized as impaired? When used to describe folk like you, or I, as
>> well as many, many others on this here list,  it's plain inaccurate!
>> People ought be called whatever makes them feel comfortable. I don't feel
>> comfortable with a term like "vision impaired" Last I checked, my vision is
>> not impaired. Do they have a box called vision nonexistent? I believe
>> myself amazingly suited for such a box.
>> Car35 PM 6/22/2013, kelby carlson wrote:
>> >I refer to myself as blind, because I have no vision whatsoever. I'm
>> >not pushing that everyone should adopt "visually impaired"
>> >language--just arguing that for those with functional vision who don't
>> >necessarily fall into the "functionally blind" category, it's a useful
>> >descriptor.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >On 6/22/13, Mark Tardif <markspark at roadrunner.com> wrote:
>> > > Indeed, I think you are right.  My thinking is this:  if you choose
>> > > to use words like "visually impaired" or "visually challenged," I am
>> > > not going to bludgeon you into using "blind."  However, I do think a
>> > > step toward integration is to recognize that there is absolutely no
>> > > shame in
>> > being blind
>> > >
>> > > and in referring to oneself in that way.  I also think we might
>> > gently point
>> > >
>> > > out to our sighted friends that they need not tiptoe around it by
>> > > using terms like "sightless."  I am blind.  I am also fat,
>> > > energetic, fair complexioned, assertive, empathetic, left-wing, and
>> > > plenty of other characteristics.  If we really believe that it is
>> > > respectable to be blind, than I think we need to be examples of that
>> in how we talk and what we do.
>> > > The more we do not shy away from words like "blind, I think we will
>> > > ultimately make our friends more comfortable.  Just my opinion.
>> > >
>> > > Mark Tardif
>> > > Nuclear arms will not hold you.
>> > > -----Original Message-----
>> > > From: Paul Wick
>> > > Sent: Saturday, June 22, 2013 2:57 PM
>> > > To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>> > > Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Use of the Term Visually Impaired
>> > >
>> > > I know people get all in a tizzy when you make an analogy to
>> > > race/ethnicity, but here goes:
>> > >
>> > > In the 19th century black people were classified as Octoroon (1/8th
>> > > African-American ancestry) Quadroon (1/4th) etc. as these labels had
>> > > both social and legal significance. It was in a black person's
>> > > interest to minimize just how black they were.
>> > >
>> > > I think there is a tendency among many people with vision loss to
>> > > minimize just how blind they are.
>> > >
>> > > Black people are proud to be black, but I get the impression that
>> > > many people (not all) label themselves as visually impaired because
>> > > they are less than proud to be blind.
>> > >
>> > > Best,
>> > >
>> > > Paul
>> > >
>> > > On 6/21/13, Danielle Antoine <singingmywayin at gmail.com> wrote:
>> > >> Amen Sister Karly!
>> > >>
>> > >> On 6/22/13, Carly Mihalakis <carlymih at comcast.net> wrote:
>> > >>> Hi, Laz,
>> > >>>
>> > >>> Good point. Only way someone embodyies "ugly" is by their actions,
>> > >>> self-serving, erogant, hateful. Those charicturistics are not seen
>> > >>> ocularly.
>> > >>> Carly/21/2013, Laz Mesa wrote:
>> > >>>>I myself am totally blind and resist being labeled visually
>> impaired.
>> > >>>>I do however wish to point out that the term visually impaired has
>> > >>>>a negative connotation that the person is visually unacceptable in
>> > >>>>some way, as in ugly. This was pointed out to me by an Australian
>> friend.
>> > >>>>For that reason, I choose to use the term vision impaired instead.
>> > >>>>Of course if the person is butt-ugly, then I guess the term
>> > >>>>visually impaired might be acceptable. (just kidding) But I'll
>> > >>>>tell you what, since I lost my eyesight, I haven't run into one
>> > >>>>ugly person. Everyone I come across is beautiful to me, unless
>> > >>>>their behaviour or actions make them ugly.
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>>All the best,
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>>Laz
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>>-----Original Message-----
>> > >>>>From: Kelby Carlson
>> > >>>>Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 3:24 PM
>> > >>>>To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>> > >>>>Subject: [Blindtlk] Use of the Term Visually Impaired
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>>Hi everybody!
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>>So, since I'm not aware of any incendiary debates flaring up
>> > >>>>around here recently, I thought I'd bring up something I read
>> > >>>>recently that I found utterly baffling.  This was on a blog thread
>> > >>>>about proper etiquette around people with disabilities.
>> > >>>>Towards the end, a discussion of language appropriateness came up,
>> > >>>>and someone said that "visually impaired" was an unacceptable term
>> > >>>>that should not be used.  Instead, one should say "with a visual
>> > >>>>impairment." I have heard similar things regaring the phrasing of
>> > >>>>a "blind person" versus "a person with blindness", but this was
>> > >>>>especially perplexing because I can't recall ever meeting someone
>> > >>>>in my entire life who was opposed to the term "visually impaired",
>> > >>>>at least when it was used to describe someone who had some
>> > >>>>functional vision.  I don't have strong feelings either way, but I
>> > >>>>would actually lean more to towards preferring visually impaired
>> > >>>>than "partially sighted", though I think neither one is more
>> > >>>>linguistically accurate than the other.
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>>I have encountered the issue of language surrounding disability
>> > >>>>many times, and it's always been a bit strange-don't we, as blind
>> > >>>>people (among other people with various kinds of disabilities)
>> > >>>>have higher priorities on our lists of "things to fix in the
>> > >>>>world"? These are just my thoughts on the matter.
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>>Kelby S.  Carlson
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>>--
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>> > >>>>Email:  accessibleelectronics at gmail.**com<accessibleelectronics at gmail.com>
>> > >>>>Skype: lazmesa
>> > >>>>Phone: 727 498-0121
>> > >>>>Facebook: facebook.com/laz.mesa
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>>__________________________**_____________________
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>> carlymih%4
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>> > >
>> > > -----
>> > > No virus found in this message.
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>> > > Version: 2013.0.2904 / Virus Database: 3199/6427 - Release Date:
>> > > 06/20/13
>> > >
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