Living with a visual disability is a challenging experience that affects every aspect of daily life. From navigating through streets to reading menus, visually impaired individuals face many difficulties that sighted people may take for granted.

This article focuses on the daily struggles of a visually impaired 28-year-old man as he goes about his life.

Waking Up and Getting Ready

When normal alarms do not work, a visually impaired person uses a talking alarm clock or a phone with a special application to wake up. After waking up, one has to feel the way to the bathroom or wherever they usually get ready.

In the shower, shaving and other personal grooming tasks can also be challenging.

Getting Dressed

Choosing the right outfit is an important part of feeling confident and comfortable throughout the day. For a visually impaired person, this can be a daunting task.

Color coding clothing and sticking to a specific style can make it easier, but it still takes longer to get dressed than it does for a sighted person. Ironing, aligning buttons and zippers, and ensuring things are not inside out are all challenges that visually impaired individuals face when getting dressed.

Commute to Work

For those who work, getting to the workplace can be a tiring and complex endeavor. If living in an urban area with public transport, it can be challenging to navigate through unfamiliar routes, cross busy roads, and catch connecting buses or trains.

Most cities and towns have specific signals for the visually impaired, but not all are fitted with them. Reliance on GPS and apps or audio instructions from public transport can also be quite helpful, but they can be distracting and interfere with communication with other pedestrians.

Work Life

Carrying out tasks at the workplace can be a tricky process. Technology is a vital tool that enables visually impaired people to complete work tasks.

This means that devices such as screen readers and voice-over technology are significant in assisting them. Workspaces that have no access to these devices can make tasks impossible.

Aside from technology challenges, adjusting to different office layouts and protocols can take some time, and it can also be tricky to establish a good working relationship with colleagues who do not understand the challenges they face.

Social Life

Participating in regular social activities such as meeting up with friends and going out can be a struggle for those who have visual impairments.

Often, visually impaired individuals have to navigate through busy pub crawls, crowded cinema halls, and noisy concerts. Depending on the level of impairment, securing a pleasant seating location is crucial. Drinking can also be a challenge since the inability to see spills and stains increases the risk of accidents.

Despite these hardships, the desire to socialize and fulfill the need for human interaction keeps many visually impaired individuals going.

Access to Facilities

Visually impaired individuals face numerous challenges when accessing public facilities.

Common challenges include navigating through complex or busy offices, locating inaccessible ATM machines, finding elevators that do not have braille signage, and searching for accessible entrances. Even when facilities are provided, they are often far away from the primary entrance. This can cause difficulties when navigating unfamiliar buildings.

Shopping

Shopping can be a frustrating experience for individuals with visual impairments. They often cannot go alone and must rely on family or friends who can assist them.

When accompanied, they still face the challenge of locating the products they need and being sure of their prices. Navigating through crowded shopping malls with bright lights can be particularly problematic, and smaller stores may not have adequate help in place for visually impaired customers.

Achieving Independence

Despite all these daily struggles, visually impaired individuals strive to be independent and self-reliant. This means taking control of one’s situation and proactively seeking assistance when required.

Many visually impaired individuals find strength in seeking assistance from service animals (such as guide dogs) or by using mobility aids. These help them navigate through everyday life with greater ease.

Maintaining a Positive Attitude

Despite the many challenges and difficulties visually impaired individuals face daily, many still maintain an optimistic and positive attitude. This is critical to maintaining an active and fulfilling life.

They look for solutions, rather than focusing on the limitations of their disability. Often, with the support of family, friends, and assistive technology, visually impaired individuals lead productive and happy lives.

Conclusion

Living with a visual disability can be a daunting and challenging experience that affects every aspect of life.

Visually impaired individuals face daily struggles related to waking up, getting ready for work, commuting, carrying out tasks at work, socializing, accessing facilities, shopping, and achieving independence. Despite these hardships, many individuals lead successful, fulfilling, and productive lives. Therefore, it is necessary to acknowledge the difficulties that visually impaired individuals face daily, enhance their independence, and cater to their needs.