blind, visually impaired, or low sighted?
Laura Wissiak Laura Wissiak

blind, visually impaired, or low sighted?

The terminology surrounding visual impairment is nuanced and highly personal.

This post highlights the ongoing debate between terms like "blind," "visually impaired," and "low sighted." It underscores the importance of using respectful language tailored to each individual’s experience and identity. The piece also touches on the medical definitions of legal blindness, how various conditions affect vision, and the importance of asking individuals about their preferred terms.

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Why blind people in Vienna hate trashcans
Laura Wissiak Laura Wissiak

Why blind people in Vienna hate trashcans

In Vienna, blind and visually impaired people face an unexpected hazard: trashcans mounted on street poles.

While white canes are effective at detecting ground-level obstacles, these suspended bins are invisible to users.

This blog post discusses the challenge of navigating around such trashcans, drawing from real user interviews and highlighting how this overlooked issue could be addressed with better design and technology like Hope Tech's Sixth Sense.

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