You are not a burden when you ask for documents in a format you can read. You are not a burden when you need them to clear the accessible changing room. You are not a burden when you assert your right to enter a business with your service dog. You are not a burden when…
Author: Connor Scott-Gardner
Rethinking Blindness Skills
The phrase “blindness skills” is one the blind community knows well. From the moment you experience vision loss, whether because you are born blind or lose vision in later life, emphasis is placed on teaching you necessary blindness skills to navigate your environment. These include orientation and mobility training, cooking, matching your clothes and doing…
From one Campaigner to Another: a Letter to Young Disabled Activists
I have been a self-advocate since I can remember. “Please can you read to me?” “Can I have a braille copy?” The act of being disabled, of requesting adaptations that allow me to participate fully in society taught me how to advocate for myself and for others. From the moment I realised I would live…
Welcome to Working Blind
When I was a child I knew no blind adults. Sadly that isn’t an exaggeration. It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I met older blind people and only a very small minority of them were in work. I had no real idea what kind of jobs blind people could do, the few ideas…
Audio Description: Bridging the Gap for Blind Theatre Goers
Blindness has never been a barrier for me when going to the theatre. For as long as I can remember I’ve loved both getting up on stage and watching other performers. I don’t feel like being blind has diminished my experience and I will often fill in the gaps using my imagination when I’m watching…
Accessible Books for Blind People in the UK
I’ve always been an avid reader and have searched for accessible libraries that I can use as a blind person. Here is a list of such libraries, which is not exhaustive but should get you started if, like me, reading is an important part of your life. The following is a list of libraries which…
What I Hear when you Talk about Hope
I hope for many things in my life. I hope I will graduate with a good degree, that I will find a job, that I will start a family some day. I hope for happiness and friendship and lots of laughter. We all hope for different things. I have friends who are blind like me…
Teaching your Blind Child to Manage their Period
When you first get your period, it can be really confusing, especially if you haven’t been prepared for it. I know many parents struggle to know how exactly to prepare their blind child for this stage of their life. How much should they explain? What resources will be useful? Are all products useful and accessible…
Celebrating Feria de Las Flores
Every year at the beginning of August the city of Medellín celebrates Feria de Las Flores. The first flower festival took place in May 1957, and included a parade that represented the end of slavery. The festival was later moved to August in order to celebrate the independence of Antioquia. These days the festival includes…
How a Month in Medellín Taught me to Live
4 weeks ago, a plane I was on landed in the beautiful city of Medellín. I had no idea what to expect, having read very little about the city before I made the decision to study there. Armed with a suitcase, backpack and very tired dog I headed out of the airport to start my…