Socialization. It’s a word you commonly hear when the topic of homeschool arises. It isn’t a topic talked about much when speaking of blind or visually impaired individuals. Today, though, we’re going to dive in with both feet. Welcome to our post on socialization.
One part of learning good social skills is communicating our needs. This requires us as blind and visually impaired persons to step out and advocate for ourselves. If we want to be a part of a group, we must take the initiative and introduce ourselves. Then, when contact is made, it is up to us to join in the conversation or activity. While this might be difficult for some blind and visually impaired adults, it is usually very difficult for children. This is why it is important for teachers, parents and caregivers to teach these skills while the child is young.
If a person, child or adult, blind or sighted just sits by him/herself without taking the initiative, he/she will most likely not be included. Sighted individuals may or may not feel comfortable around those who are blind and visually impaired. This is sometimes due to nervousness. Those who can see are afraid, because they aren’t sure what is socially acceptable to say. This is when the blind or visually impaired individual needs to take that initiative, reach out their hand and say, “Hello. My name is…”
Students must also be taught to use appropriate posture and to turn toward the person with whom they are speaking. Sighted folks are very confused and often think you aren’t paying attention if you are not facing them. I have learned that unless I am pretending to make eye contact with a certain friend of mine, she will stop speaking and wait for me to turn back to her. Other inappropriate behaviors that tend to push away someone with sight include: Constant rocking back and forth, hands or fingers pressed into the eyes and standing too close to the person he/she is speaking to.
The key is to replace these behaviors with positive ones. Instead of rocking back and forth, have the student tap his toes or bounce his knee. If the student puts her hands or fingers in her eyes because the light hurts, turn down the lighting or have her wear sunglasses. Remind the student on a regular basis to face the person or group of people he is speaking to. Teach the student about personal space.
People who are blind and visually impaired, regardless of age want and need to be participants in their community and among their peers. This means that when sighted children are playing cards or board games, the blind child needs a chance to join in the fun. There are braille playing cards, tactile checkers and many other accessible board games on the market.
Sites to check out these games include:
The Braille Book Store www.braillebookstore.com
Independent Living Aids www.independentliving.com
American Printing House for the Blind www.aph.org
If the student is interested in games that can be played on an iDevice introduce them to games that both sighted or blind people can play. Check out https://blindfoldgames.org/ If the student is interested in ball games, the web has many options of purchasing soccer balls that make a beeping sound. First, ask the student what he/she is interested in, then do a Google search. The possibilities may surprise you.
Many times there are games that are not accessible. Take Minecraft, for instance. This is a popular game enjoyed by many sighted children. For someone who is blind, an alternative is Legos. If a child who is blind or visually impaired and wants to participate in a game of tag with their sighted peers, tie jingle bells around the other kids, so the blind kid can hear them.
When it comes to volunteering in the community, persons who are blind and visually impaired want and need a chance to participate, too. For example, if a church is putting together care packages, let the one who is blind help fill boxes. If a youth group is having a movie night, either ask another child or willing adult to describe the movie aloud. Another option for this is to get movies that are already described. Check out
for more information about the Descriptive Video Service, much of which is free. If a student’s peers are going bowling, the blind student should go, too. Just make sure there is someone willing to update the student on his/her score and to communicate information such as, “You knocked down 7 of 10 pens.”
To sum it all up, remember to ask the person who is blind or visually impaired what their interests are. Ask them, too, how you can help make a game or activity ore accessible. If the student is too young or unable to verbally communicate his/her needs, speak to the parent, teacher or caregiver. If you are the one who is blind or visually impaired, and you want to be included in activities without peers, speak up and say so. You are your own best advocate, after all.
Thank you for being with us today. Your comments, suggestions and questions are welcome.
Be blessed.
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