Hospitality means helping people feel
comfortable in your home. There are limits, of course. You can’t let guests eat
all your food or kick you out of your own bed. But other than extremes, you
want to be a good host, roommate, or partner.
Things get a bit complicated when
you’re working with someone who has vision problems. It could be blindness, or
it could just be a problem with glare and clarity. But how can you show good
hospitality when working with the visually impaired? You make some simple
changes, that’s how.
Focus On Colours and Contrasts
Making things colourful for people with
vision problems might not make sense at first. But remember that not all vision
impairments are blindness. Many people can still see — they just have trouble
seeing clearly or differentiating between objects.
That’s why colour and contrast are two
indispensable tools for you. Solid, bright colours are easier to see, so they
can make things easier for anyone with a vision problem. On the opposite end,
avoid dark colours (dark blues, browns, and blacks) as they can look identical.
Contrast is another way to help the
visually impaired live more fully in your home. Light objects against dark
backgrounds (and vice versa) can make them much easier to focus on. That’s also
why you should avoid pale or clear items like glasses. Put a white piece of
paper on a light-coloured wall, and some people might not be able to see it at
all.
Getting Your Kitchen Organized
Even if someone isn’t fully blind,
anyone with a visual impairment will rely on predictability and organization.
That’s because they cannot trust their eyes like others do. You can take
advantage of that to help people with vision problems work in your kitchen more
safely and comfortably.
Start by getting large labels and
clearly writing (with colour and contrast in mind) what’s inside a given can,
box, or container. You probably don’t have to label a gallon of milk this way
since the shape and colour are familiar. But doing this for canned goods can
mean the difference between rice-n-beans and rice-n-green beans.
You’ll also want to organize things in
the kitchen. Keep all the spices in one place, preferably not over the stove.
Put all pans in one cabinet, pots in another, and make sure you get the right
lids with the right cookware. You can even organize your fridge by always
putting drinks on one shelf, vegetables in the crisper, and so on.
Pay Close Attention to Floors
Unless you have a problem with your
vision, you probably don’t think about how the floors in your home can be a
problem. If there’s something in the way or a rug that you know can move about,
you just step around it. But that’s hard to do when you have trouble seeing
those.
That’s why you need to examine your
floors for any trouble spots. Make sure your carpeting isn’t worn or torn, and
tape/tack any area rugs so they won’t move. If you have tile or wood flooring,
check to see how much glare comes off them. A shiny hardwood floor in strong
lighting might look pretty, but if you have vision problems, it could be one
giant glare — and a serious problem to walk on.
Lastly, make sure there’s as many
straight paths inside as possible. The last thing you want is someone with
impaired vision to have to navigate a twisty path around footrests, standing
lamps, out-of-place chairs, and random boxes on the floor.
Everyone Can Feel Welcome
Having a houseguest that has a visual
impairment can be intimidating. How can you make sure they’re safe and
comfortable? By paying attention to colour and contrast, organizing things in
the kitchen, and the state of your floors, you can help everyone feel welcome.
It also doesn’t hurt to keep in mind that your guest might be facing other
issues, such as depression (which in extreme cases can even lead to substance
abuse and addiction). Beyond just making your home more suitable, try to show
some compassion and put yourself in their shoes.
By Jackie Waters.
