Making new connections: a blind person’s perspective.
Having spent considerable time abroad, many of my existing friends are based overseas meaning I don’t see them as regularly as I would like. But with the preoccupation of setting up and growing your own business, it can be easy to overlook the importance of making those local connections with whom you can socialise regularly. However, there are of course additional considerations when you have a disability, such as a vision impairment. In this blog, we will explore how you find the right group, taking vision impairment in to account, how to explain your needs to a group organiser and what it’s like attending your first event.
Finding a group
There are many ways to find a group. I personally use Meetup, which is a website and app where individuals can find and set up groups covering every feasible interest/hobby. However, Meetup has its etiquette and intricacies which take some getting used to. So here are a few tips.
- Start off with groups offering low-risk activities, such as going for a drink or something to eat. This is because members and organisers are generally unfamiliar with vision impairment and can be reluctant to accommodate it, particularly if the activities undertaken are perceived to be of higher risk. You can always branch out when you have established yourself with people who share similar interests.
- Look for groups where the organiser is contactable. This might sound silly. However, Meetup allows users, including organisers, to control whether they can be contacted directly or not. I would always ideally want to discuss my needs with an organiser first privately rather than having to post them on the group for everyone to see.
- Concerning your needs, don’t go in to too much detail. Meetup is by nature informal and the emphasis is on meeting people and having a good time. From experience, the more detail you go in to, the more likely an organiser/group is/are to be put off from including you.
Attending an event
First and foremost, the key is to be yourself. Everyone else there is looking for the same outcome, which is to meet new people. However, the one thing you do need to do is be prepared to get to the event under your own steam. The responsibility of the event organiser is to be at the venue to meet and greet attendees making it difficult for them to assist you. As for other attendees, Meetup is very fluid with people withdrawing from events as little as 30 minutes before they are due to start. So even if someone offers to assist you, there are no guarantees. If you manage to get there, you will definitely get home, as somebody will be heading in the same general direction as you.