Excuse Me, That's my Independence You're Stealing

Social media and public spaces are increasingly showcasing the diversity of disabilities every day. More Content Creators, more TV shows, and more Movie Characters.

Despite rising visibility, accurate educational information about disabilities is lagging, requiring us to navigate 'good intentions' and assert our autonomy daily.

I could list a million and one incidents:

• Wheelchair users have to install spikes on their chair handles to ward off people steering them without permission.
• Jumping in to interpret for a Deaf person without being fluent in sign language.
• Taking things away from someone struggling and saying "Let me do that for you".
• Grabbing a Blind person and steering them in a different direction without asking.

We'll be here all day if I list more, but I'm going to concentrate on the last one mentioned.

The Social Experiement

A recent viral social experiment video going around on social media showed a man acting blind approaching an escalator, prompting people to rush and help him. They were running up to him and grabbing him, some even pulling him back.

Here's the video:

Blind and Low Vision People & Their Allies Respond

A few commenters, including myself, emphasized that Blind people are independent and can navigate public spaces on their own, and it's always best practi

ce to always ask permission before offering physical assistance.

Here are a few explanations with names redacted:

So, you see our reasons not to grab us and why.

Remember the majority of Blind people do have some "usable" vision. We have the tools and training to get around independently.

The Backlash

We were met with a torrent of negativity, here are a few:

I find it baffling how some individuals react when we assert our independence and autonomy.

Do you want us to be dependent on you for everything?

Well, in that case, I wouldn't mind having a million dollars, a vast library of books, a comfortable chair, and some coffee, please. Oh, and throw in a Pet Dragon too, please.

Yes, I'm being sarcastic.

A Perfect Rebuttal

An online friend of mine clarified everything perfectly in one post:

My Summary

I created this article to enlighten readers that disabled folks everywhere are out there living life independently – going to work, raising families, and enjoying hobbies, just in their own unique way.

The easiest way to assist is to ask first. That's it.

• "Hey, you need anything?"
• "Looking for something?" (Yes you can say this to Blind people - we use words like look, see)
• "Everything alright?"

If we say "no thanks" - smile and continue on your way. I promise you we got this.

In the case of the escalator - just yell "Hold it!" - then explain the situation, "you're heading for the wrong escalator. Do you need to find the other one?"

In the case they're DeafBlind, instead of grabbing and jerking the person back - tap their shoulder or arm and draw an X on their upper arm. This is the common DeafBlind signal for "Emergency". Then let them take your elbow and you can lead them away from the escalator. Now use their mode of communication to explain what happened.

But enough with the grabbing and jerking, please. If I wanted jump-scares I'll watch a horror movie.

Michael Said It Best

If you've got stereotypical ideas that disabled people can't handle things independently, give Michael J. Fox's quote a read: