[nabs-l] Blind Verses Legally Blind

[Ashley Bramlett]

Hi Elizabeth,

There is most definitely a distinction between legal blindness and 
blindness.
Blindness is a functional definition.
Arielle is right in that if one is legally blind meaning they see 20/200
or have a field of vision of less than 20 degrees, then they meet the 
technical definition of legal blindness and are therefore  eligible for 
benefits like SSI or SSDI and of course NLS and VR services.

If you are blind, you probably function using blindness techniques such as 
braille and a cane. If you function primarily using blindness skills, then 
answer that you are blind.
For my life, I answer with a few sentences or reveal my vision if its 
relevant to the situation; like if they are showing pictures and point to 
stuff, I explain I cannot see that. I've also had coworkers point to stuff 
on a pc screen at internships, and then I explain I can see the outlines of 
boxes and the background of a screen, but not enough to read the screen and 
see the items they are clicking on.

For me, I answer that I'm legally blind since I do have excellent acuity and 
like Suzanne I don't look blind at first glance.
To me it really doesn't bother me too much.
I understand that NFB advocates that there is no distinction and wish to 
consider all legally blind people as blind, but in my experience it does 
matter since we really live in a world for the sighted. I can read some 
signs and some printed material and see colors; this helps in identifying 
items and buildings. It helps to understand what colors match and when 
sighted people talk about colors, I can understand this as I do see colors, 
although some shades of color are impossible to distinguish.
Of course all legally blind people can function well, provided they use the 
right combo of alternative techniques and their low vision.

So, I answer to some extent, but I'm not going to reveal any medical issues 
about my condition; I will say it’s a stable condition and I've been vision 
impaired all my life. But, with casual acquaintenances, I'm not going too 
deep.

As for you, you certainly are not obligated to share any personal 
information especially with strangers.
Perhaps just tell them you cannot see and could they use other means to help 
you rather than visual ones. In my experience, people ask how much I can see 
in order to help me. They also seem curious if they are strangers.
I do not know the context in which these people ask your vision issues.
But I'm guessing that if its strangers, they are trying to help.
Just tell them you are blind and they need to communicate in other ways. Ask 
them for verbal directions or to show you where items are. Sometimes, even 
though I use a cane and state I cannot see much having no side vision, they 
still point to things. They say Its over there or say "follow me." I usually 
cannot see them ahead especially if they turn; so I repeat I cannot see and 
then ask to take their arm so they can guide me.

Another idea is just answer with something brief, and then change the 
subject. If they persist,
state politely, you would rather not discuss it further.

When I've had enough about the vision talk, I usually can get my point 
across if I tell them I don't want to discuss it further. As a last resort, 
if its strangers, you can move away from them provided there is space to 
move. I've moved away from people who get on my nerves for one reason or 
another in the subway or food court.
Sometimes people are just too chatty whether its about vision or something 
else, and I've had enough. I want to go about my business.
So I either move away and end the talk abruptly, or if they seem nice and I 
can interject something, I say something like "it was nice chatting with you 
but I really need to go to the restroom." or "I've had a good talk with you, 
but I really need to get on my way to my next appointment" or "next class".

HTH,
Ashley


-----Original Message----- 
From: Elizabeth Mohnke
Sent: Friday, December 06, 2013 3:17 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: [nabs-l] Blind Verses Legally Blind

Hello All,

Recently it seems as though I have been getting a lot of questions from
people who ask me if I am blind or legally blind as if there is some huge
difference between these two things. Since I see these two things as being
two sides of the same coin, I have started to respond by saying that anyone
who is blind is legally blind and anyone who is legally Blind is blind as
there are really no distinctions between these two things.

it just seems to me like people who ask this question somehow believe the
more eyesight a person has the better off they are as a person even though
they may be blind. Hence, it feels as though what the person is really
asking about is how much I can still see even though I am blind. Personally,
I feel as though I should not be obligated to share such personal
information with a mere stranger I will most likely never see again.

I guess I just feel as though I am at a point in my life where I no longer
wish to describe what I can and cannot see to other people. however, I am
also not quite sure what to say when people ask me this question. I feel as
though what I can and cannot see should not really matter all that much. But
it seems as though I never really know what to say to those who believe that
it does really matter.

Do you have any thoughts or ideas about how to deal with these kinds of
questions without revealing any personal information about yourself? how do
you go about answering these kinds of questions in your own life? Any
thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Elizabeth


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