Paying attention to the voices

This is what I have always done for as long as I can remember. When I had very little vision, when I received substantial vision, and even now with precious little sight, I have always paid attention to the voices. That is, to someone's tone, inflection, and even accent.

These are the three facets that I use in order to judge someone's reaction, mood, and I also often use them to try and anticipate someone's next move. I need to do this in order to stay in the game and as a blind person who cannot depend on body language, expressions, and gestures to help me figure things out, I practically have no alternative. You would be amazed to know how much the tone, inflection, and accent in one's voice can yield. You may want to try it some time.

Just close your eyes and listen to the conversations around you. Try and figure out what others are trying to impart to you through their voice. It could be a very telling experience for you. I did it with my parents and siblings growing up. I did it with my friends and professors, and I still do it now.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and encouraging to try out my suggestion. Come by and visit me anytime at www.sterlingcreations.ca.

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan.
Or you can chat with me on Skype at habsfan0526.

The challenge with facial expressions

For the most part, I depend on one’s voice to help me determine and decipher expressions. For those who do not have enough sight to read facial expressions, it is the only method for us to use. When I had enough vision, I could read some body language but now that is gone, I have to depend solely on the inflections in one’s voice to help me out.

The reading of body language and facial expressions is so important when it comes to communicating and you can add how so many use their eyes to express themselves and you have the picture. Blind persons for the most part are unable to use their eyes to express themselves but they can certainly use facial expressions and body language to do so.

I refer to this whole thing as a one way communication path. For whereas I can use my face and body to express myself, I am unable to read the return expressions. Just another challenge to deal with.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and inviting you to come visit me at www.sterlingcreations.ca.

Are Blind Persons Spoken to Differently?

I am going to let you be the judge with regard to this matter but I'll also give you some examples to chew on.

 

In so many cases, when there is interaction between a sales person and a blind person, it is often reported that the sales person finds it necessary to speak more loudly to the blind person. 

Some sighted persons feel more comfortable addressing a blind person using such prefixes as:  Dear, Honey, and so on.  I often wonder if they would use the same words when talking to a sighted person.  In addition, they alter their tones to sound as if they are talking to a kid. 

 

I guess that you can't win them all!  If they speak to us too loudly then we find it offensive; as if they believe that we are also hard of hearing and if they speak to us using tones and words that they would normally use when addressing kids then we are also offended.  I'll let you be the judge.

 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and visit the www.nfb.org website to learn more.