The Burning Questions

Here’s a detailed answer into how I determine if someone has reacted to my posts on social media and other platforms.

To start off, screen readers, such as VoiceOver reads texts that’s displayed on my iPhone’s screen. For example, VoiceOver will say the following in Facebook on a notification: “Jon Smith likes your post” or “Jon Smith reacted to your post.”

To read who reacted to my post, I double tap on the notification in the Facebook app, double tap on the number of reactions, and it’ll read the list of people who reacted. I can also choose to select the reactions by category so I can hear how many and who reacted with that specific reaction.

Let me be blunt with you. The reason that I created this website is that I’m tired of people asking me the same question(s) over and over again regarding my blindness. While I understand that everyone is curious about how I do things, having to hear the same question(s) repeatedly being asked over and over again gets tiring after awhile. And also, this website is based on my perspective, such as interacting with me when we’re in public.
Also, this website will show you proof that I’m advocating out in the community, meaning that I’m not saying it straight out of my mouth, and having someone spend time looking me up in different places to find what I’m talking about.

I can only see sunlight. This means that I can tell when it’s daytime or nighttime.

Here’s the short answer to this question. I use alternative techniques to get tasks done, such as using a computer and other devices with assistive technology (screen readers), cooking, doing laundry, traveling, exploring different areas to familiarize myself using apps like AIRA, and so on.

The short answer is that I travel like everyone else, but use different transportation methods to get where I want to go. This is called independence.

For long distance travel to the airport, I use Groome Transportation, in which I recently advocated to make their service more accessible for blind customers due to their website being inaccessible to screen-readers.

For short distances, I use Uber, Lyft, or have family members and/or supportive friend(s) take me to where I want to go.

• I use an iPhone, with a built-in screen reader called VoiceOver.
  • I mostly type using Siri Dictation, unless I’m in situations where I don’t want to speak due to privacy concerns and dictation being a piece of work, in which I have to double-tap each letter. However, in the past, while I was in school, I used a braille display, in which it outputs braille. The Braille displays are not limited to connecting to the computer. It can also be connected to another device, such as an iPhone or an iPad.
• As for me operating computers, I use the following screen-readers:
  • VoiceOver For Mac
  • NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access) / JAWS For Windows (Job-Access With Speech) (not used often)
• I use a normal keyboard (yes, I can type like normal sighted folks). And before you ask, I was trained on how to type back in elementary, middle, and even high school. One program that I used mainly in elementary and middle school was called Talking Typer. They also have a version of the same product on the Apple and an online version of the program.

I use a White Cane (not a stick). Let me say this again. This is “not a stick.” It detects objects, such as:

• Polls
• People
• Cars, trucks, and/or other vehicles
• Storm drains
• And so on.

The National Federation of The Blind (NFB) provides a free white cane program for blind individuals like myself to obtain one at no cost.

As for navigating in unfamiliar environments, especially when I’m on vacation or staying at a hotel for an event, especially when exploring or to get something from a vending machine/marketplace, I use AIRA, where trained agents will help me navigate to find what I’m looking for, depending on how big or small it is.

I use different tools to obtain image descriptions, also known as alt text:

• AIRA (Access AI)
• Be My Eyes (Be My AI)
• Seeing AI

The short answer will always be no. I, along with the blind and the low vision community use computers and/or note taking devices to write down notes or contact information, or even record by using audio-recording devices.

Also, we can use our phones to take notes like everyone else.

No. I cannot see color. However, I can smell and taste flavors of color(s).

For printed (embossed) materials, I read using Braille, a code consisted of six-dots. The Braille Code was developed by Louis Braille in 1821 when he was just eleven-years-old.

Printed materials can be translated into braille, making work more easier for a blind person who needs a hard copy of a document like me, such as an agenda for a meeting. A braille embosser makes this task more easier, instead of a blind person having to type using a braille writer, called a Perkins Brailler.

Some blind people use a Slate And Stylus to take notes. I’m not one of them though

I use the following to help me cook:

• A microwave: I mostly use a microwave to cook my food, such as sandwiches and/or leftovers, or even heating up food from DoorDash or UberEats.
• Oven: I don’t use the oven often due to it not being accessible at the moment. However, I get assistance using AIRA or Be My Eyes, but it’s so frustrating due to the layout of the oven.
• Air Fryer: I use an Air Fryer to cook frozen foods. It connects with the VeSync App over Wi-Fi, allowing me to set the temperature and the time to cook.

No, I cannot tell how someone is feeling by touching their face. What I can tell you is that I can tell by the tone of their voice.

The short answer is no. I pay more attention using my four remaining senses.