Introduction
As a blind person, I love meeting and getting to know new people, both online and out in the community. However, getting to know someone in the digital space comes with unique challenges—especially if I don’t know what their voice sounds like.
While everyone has their own preferred way of connecting, I want to share my perspective on why I prefer hearing your voice over texting all the time, particularly when we are first getting to know each other.
Before We Get Started
It’s important to note that every blind person is different. Some of us don’t feel comfortable sending voice messages, and that’s completely okay. I am writing this strictly from my own perspective so you can understand how I best like to connect.
Hearing Your Voice Is Like Putting A Face To A Profile
When you connect with someone new online, you can instantly see what they look like by glancing at their profile pictures. For me, it isn’t that simple. While tools like Aira and Be My Eyes help describe images, saving and uploading photos can be time-consuming. And while Apple’s VoiceOver has improved its image descriptions significantly, it still isn’t perfect.
When I get to know someone solely through text, it can eventually feel like I’m messaging a robot. That’s why I’ll often ask if you can send a voice (audio) message. Hearing your voice is what truly brings your profile to life for me.
Why I Prefer To Hear Your Voice
Here are a few reasons why I prefer hearing your voice instead of texting all the time:
- Tone and Emotion: When I hear your voice, I can instantly catch your vibe and how you’re feeling. Texting lacks the intonation, emotion, and warmth that the human voice carries, which can easily lead to misunderstandings or miscommunications.
- Speed and Efficiency: While I can use Siri dictation or type on my keyboard, sending a voice message is simply faster. It allows us to exchange thoughts and information seamlessly without the friction of typing.
- A Deeper, More Personal Connection: Your voice adds a crucial human element to our interaction. Without it, conversations can feel distant and impersonal—like I am talking to a machine rather than a real person.
Conclusion
Though this is a quick read, I hope it sheds some light on why I value voice communication so highly. I am always open to any questions you might have about this, and I welcome genuine conversations.
Next time you reach out to me—or another blind person in your life—try sending a voice message! They just might thank you for taking that extra step. (And if they prefer text, don’t worry—they’ll let you know!)