Being blind is a learning process not only for the blind themselves, but also for family members and those that live in the same household. To the newly blind, home takes on the aspect of a a fortress of safety and learning arena. Everything that could be done as a sighted person has to be learned all over again, from walking to personal hygiene, even on to the more advanced things like cooking and the likes.

Being blind, one does not really know what is before them as far as obstacles, that is, until they find them the hard way. Initially, clearing all walkways of clutter is of great help. There is no need to move set items like furniture and so on. These type things become a good tool in learning and practicing mobility skills, which is the top priority in learning to function blind in the world around them.

Moving Around the House when Blind

To gain some insight into the initial needs of a blind person entering the household, close your eyes and try to navigate your way across the room. Then, repeat this in all the areas of the home that are most likely to be frequented by the blind individual. This will give you an idea if something is in need of adjustment. Take note though, the blind cannot open their eyes and see when faced with an obstacle. Patience is truly a virtue when dealing with the blind. Everything they do is as if for the very first time. Granted, time and practice do bring comfort and ease of movement.

Some aids that can be introduced into the home to assist a blind person fall more into the area of peace of mind. A really great aid is a talking clock. The desire to know the time of day when you cannot see it is just as important for the mind’s sake. Most household aids for the blind or visually impaired can be looked at in two categories, those concerning safety and the others aiding in comfort, for lack of a better word.

Sticky Bump Dots for the Blind

Providing a means of identification, while discerning the difference between a tube of toothpaste and a tube of hemorrhoid ointment, is as simple as a glance for the sighted person. Not so for the blind or visually impaired. The same is true for many other common household items.

One of the best yet simplest blind aids available is simple self-stick bump dots. Apply the bump dots to a given item in a pattern or placement location on an item and it can be easily recognized when picked up. Simple steps like this allow the blind or visually impaired to regain some sense of independence. Also, it keeps the likelihood of accidental or harmful use to a minimum. The use of bump dots can go from the basics of identifying cosmetics to allowing proper use of things like a microwave and even washer and dryer. The use of these is only limited by the creativity used to implement the bump dots.

There is no real need to alter or apply aids to most household functions for example, light switches, doorknobs and steps. The mind’s “muscle memory” aspect kicks in fairly quickly and reaching for these common things remains like second nature. Certain set dimensions are standard in the home building industry. Along with the above mentioned, cabinets, countertops, vanities, medicine cabinets and even toilets tend to follow common placement rules.

The safety aids tend to be more the nature of practicing common sense by the sighted in the home. Things like closing cabinets, leaving doors either closed or open, removing protrusions at head level are very important in aiding to the mobility of the blind. Before learning to use a cane, the blind tend to feel around chest to shoulder height to aid them in navigation, hence, leaving their face exposed to objects protruding at that level. This becomes even more important as they learn and rely more on their cane.

As the person “matures” in their blindness or visual impairment, the need for constant vigilance lessens somewhat. Learning to read Braille enables easier marking of objects and the level of confidence gained by that person will enable almost flawless integration into the household.