Okay, this is really more nitpicking than anything else, but this passage struck me as odd:
> When it came to the people I met, many who have been blind since they were very young and who have worse vision than I will ever have, I was blown away. The term disabled does not apply to them. They are extremely independent, good natured, and very successful in whatever field they chose to be in.
Instead of saying that the term disabled does not apply to successful etc people, I think better phrasing would be that meeting these people changed what he considered disabled to mean/imply.
Other than that, I like the overall message. I do think that it's good idea to focus on making purpose-built applications for vision (or otherwise) impaired people, maybe even trying to grow a small niche ecosystem.
Agreed, thanks for saying this. I'm always a bit weirded out when someone tries to tell me I'm not disabled because I'm successful, so of course I'm able. I get that, probably from a pure linguistic perspective, the word "disabled" has negative connotations. In actuality though, there's a rich disability community. Chicago (I think, anyway) has an annual disability pride parade. We live in a culture that tries to strip lots away from us when we're disabled, and sometimes it's all we can do to claw some of that back. So while someone may mean well by claiming that someone who is successful or competent shouldn't be called disabled, it takes away that person's autonomy and ability to self-identify, and also removes success and competence from what people think of when they think "disabled." IOW, if someone can say that the word "disabled" doesn't apply to a person because they do something well, others in the set of disabled people have it a bit worse off because they're both faced with a challenge and not able to handle it well.
That said, I didn't think this was the author's intent. But I can't count how many times someone didn't think I was blind because I wrote well, and they couldn't conceive of how someone who couldn't see could write a coherent sentence. :) Try applying for jobs in that expectational landscape and, well, it's challenging and is why I don't even like working for others anymore.
This really wasn't my intent. I sincerely apologize for communicating otherwise.
I identify as blind or low-viz and wouldn't want to take away from others who also identify as such or as disabled.
That line was meant to be a response to the fears that it seemed like my family and friends had about my diagnosis. Fears, that I wouldn't be able to remain independent or be successful. You know how loved ones generally fear the worst possible scenario. Anyway, wording it this was was terrible, and I'm sorry. I'll see if I can make an edit and rephrase things.
Thanks, I know it wasn't. Likewise, my intent wasn't to make you feel bad. I imagine this landscape is all very new to you, and recognize that it's probably lots to come to grips with and navigate. To that end, kudos for finding a problem and running with it. :)
Meh. It is a bit nitpicky but the sentiment is appreciated. The language around this is a mine field and some are pickier and quicker to offence than others.
I coach at a tennis club for players with low or no vision and we have a standing joke around how we're technically classed as 'vulnerable adults' but this is very much not the impression that people take away from meeting is for the first time. It's funny from where we're standing.
> When it came to the people I met, many who have been blind since they were very young and who have worse vision than I will ever have, I was blown away. The term disabled does not apply to them. They are extremely independent, good natured, and very successful in whatever field they chose to be in.
Instead of saying that the term disabled does not apply to successful etc people, I think better phrasing would be that meeting these people changed what he considered disabled to mean/imply.
Other than that, I like the overall message. I do think that it's good idea to focus on making purpose-built applications for vision (or otherwise) impaired people, maybe even trying to grow a small niche ecosystem.