Happy Blindness Awareness month. Awareness is a wildly low bar that other marginalized groups would rightly reject. This month, please trust, respect, appreciate, learn from and promote us. Actually please do that all the time.
When you see someone putting their hands on us in a nonconsensual, paternalistic attempt to direct us, and when we speak out, don't be quiet. Don't explain that handsy strangers are "just trying to help". Back US UP.
Don't go full Oprah in the line at Trader Joe, asking whether we dream in color and have heightened senses. Those conversations are not painful, but they're for friends and confidantes. If you want to be one of those, earn it.
Your child, however, can ask us — or you — whatever they like. Do not shush and shame your kid for asking about guide dogs, canes or Braille. Answer their questions or let them ask us: we all share the project of helping kids learn about the world.
Don't assume that we always need correction. Canes are supposed to hit walls, tree roots, and OMG stairs, y'all. Your intervention is distracting, and some days soothing you quiet is a full-time job.
We do need help though. When you post an image on social media, alt text it. Consider getting involved with @ProtestAccess or Youdescribe.org to make more online videos and images accessible. Check out Achilles, InTandem or other ways to be arunning or biking partner.
Learn about our culture.Support our urgent need for greater access to training in the nonvisual techniques that make Blind people confident, resilient and successful. Learn enough about Braille that, when some sighted guy says it's obsolete, you can defend it.
If you work on digital tools, bring accessibility into your plans before you build or procure a thing. Educate your colleagues about Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
Plot twist: lots of Blind people would disagree with some items on this thread, or with my tone. Don't let any one of us represent us all, in your mind. Being an ally means getting to know a community of more than one.
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