The past three days, I have been at a retreat for Blind and Partially Sighted folks.

I am the only DeafBlind, ASL-user here. I communicate with others using text.

Let me tell you the various differences I have seen in terms of Deaf Vs Blind cultures.

• Blind folks will talk to others from any position, place or room. A group of blind friends are sitting around a table, one could be facing the opposite direction, another could be sitting on the floor, inches away from a someone’s butt, another person could be in another room, lounging on the sofa.
• Deaf folks rely on eye contact, so typically they chat within the same room, or within visual range.
• Deaf folks can carry on an in-depth conversation through a closed window.
• Blind folks would need to open that window to have the same level of convo.
• Blind folks tend to call out, once or twice, and that’s it. The person announcing assumes everyone heard “Dinner is ready!”
• Deaf folks will also call out, flashing lights or bang the table, hands waving, “Dinner is Ready!”
• Blind folks probably will say “excuse me, I farted” or something like that.
• Deaf folks won’t bother, unless it is a stinky one!
• Blind folks move around very slowly, “watching” where they are going, with hands outstretched.
• Deaf folks move around without much issue.
• Deaf folks are conscious if doors are open.
• Blind folks can forget to close doors.
• Deaf folks tend to have lights on.
• Blind folks don’t generally need lights on, might not be aware they are on, might leave them on for days or years.
• Deaf folks can drive.
• Blind folks, obviously, are unable to drive. The insurance premiums would be astoundingly high if they were permitted to operate motor vehicles!
• Blind folks tend to have small areas of personal space. Squeezing through a group of chatting blind folks and touching breasts or other body bumps, is perfectly normal.
• Deaf folks tend to move out of the way if someone needs to pass among them, no awkward touching permitted.
• Deaf folks tend to make sure windows are covered before changing clothes or commencing sexual activity.
• Blind folks may or may not check if the windows are curtained before showering or fornicating.
• Blind folks will knock on doors, calling out “Are you there? I need to pee.”
• Deaf folks would either flick the lights while dancing on the spot, or find a different place to urinate.
• And finally, Deaf folks are much more animated, obviously; sign language, body language, facial expressions and so forth. A simple “what…” can translate into four spoken sentences.
• Blind folks tend to offer very little in terms of facial expressions or body language. Being blind, they can’t see if I have a nonchalant expression, a puzzled one, or if I am winking drunkenly at them, not that I have ever done such a thing!

Those are the differences I can tell you about right now, I challenge you to add more if you can think of any!

Until we meet again, good day!