# Do blind people give better directions?

Category: Let's talk

## Post 1 by retrieverdog (when I'm in seventh hour, my work does show.) on Saturday, 03-Mar-2007 19:46:15

I think that blind people give the best dirrections because they actually have to know where they are going. Just wanted some other people's thoughts on that one.

## Post 2 by rat (star trek rules!) on Saturday, 03-Mar-2007 19:57:31

i agree with you fully. we blind people don't rely onstuff like "next to the blue trash can, about 20 feet over there". we useterms taht are much easier to understand and don't need sight since we don't use it

## Post 3 by maroon five (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Sunday, 04-Mar-2007 3:46:30

I don't agree at all! I couldn't give anyone directions even if my life depended on it. Sorry, but none of this giving directions better because we're blind bullshit washes with me. Okay, so we don't need to rely on trash can 50 feet that way, but you ether can, or can't direct someone somewhere, or not, regardless of being blind....I kno many sighted people that can't direct verry well, and they can see!

## Post 4 by motifated (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 04-Mar-2007 7:24:33

I agree with Lioness Liz. I've know people who are blind who are some of the worst direction-giver's I've ever seen. I think that for many of us the idea to have a good clear verbal map of where we are going is important, but I don't think that one necessarilly relates to the other in terms of vision and directions
Lou

## Post 5 by Goblin (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Sunday, 04-Mar-2007 9:20:11

I wouldn't take that as fact as I've met several who can't find their own toliet without help. smile
But I've managed to help a group of Italian tourists who were properly lost, they were amazed and very grateful

## Post 6 by Resonant (Find me alive.) on Sunday, 04-Mar-2007 9:29:56

I think, maybe blindies can give better directions to other blindies. Since we'll use the landmarks that a blindy is likely to pick up on. Personally, I can give someone driving the most detailed directions, completely convinced that I know every inch of the area, and then they'll ask something really very reasonable, like, is it next to the giant blue sky-scraper with all the flashing lights, then? And I'll stare at them blankly for a bit. And yeah, that could just be me, but I reckon our mental maps are just a bit incompatible that way. And it definitely goes both ways. How frustrating must it be, to ask for directions and be given a long list of lefts and rights and counting of driveways, when it would take two seconds to point, or say, underneath the big purple sign.

## Post 7 by sparkie (the hilljack) on Tuesday, 06-Mar-2007 19:35:28

I'm horrible at directions.
Troy

## Post 8 by Rune Knight (Ancient Demon - Darkness will always conquer Light!) on Tuesday, 06-Mar-2007 22:50:50

I can give good direction to sighties and VI's but Blindies is another story. Most of my friends are blind and required my assistance in hopes that they may not get lost or if they didn't know how to cross a street.
If they had gone alone I can garnetee you they would give up and go straight home.

## Post 9 by Amethyst Moon (I can't call it a day til I enter the zone BBS) on Wednesday, 07-Mar-2007 14:11:44

It depends on the person and their own sense of direction. I'm a blink and I give horrible directions. Well, I know how to give 'em, I just don't retrace my own steps very well. I've known sighted people who have given excellent blind-friendly directions.