Rethinking Blindness in Everyday College Life

Amina Orzueva outside the United States Capitol. Photo courtesy of Amina Orzueva '28

A firsthand look at what college life without sight is really like.

What is it like to navigate a college campus without sight? For me, it’s less about obstacles and more about strategies, memory and paying attention to details most people don’t notice.

October is Disability Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to highlight how students with disabilities engage fully in campus life while challenging common misconceptions.

Blindness often comes with assumptions: that we are helpless, that we rely on counting steps or that we can not manage tasks. The reality is different. With practice and the right tools, getting around campus and managing daily routines becomes second nature. 

I navigate campus using mental maps and landmarks. For instance, after I pass the five bookshelves and approach the open space, the staircase is around the next bookshelf.

Like many others, technology is central to my personal and academic life. Smartphones with screen readers like VoiceOver on iPhone allow me to type, take pictures and videos, play games, etc. In class, I use both a braille display and a laptop to read, write and submit assignments via Brightspace. 

Cooking and daily life require similar adaptations. Instead of pouring seasoning straight into the bowl, I pour it into my hand so I can make sure I have the exact amount that I want. I rely on sound to gauge when water is boiling or food is sizzling. Talking meat thermometers allow me to check temperatures accurately, and appliances that are touch screen are labeled with tactile markers.

Applying makeup is another example of adapting strategies to everyday life. I can tell the difference between products because the bottles feel different. For mascara, I feel the wand on my lashes as I apply it, and for blush, I make the same number of brush strokes on both cheeks to ensure balance. Eyeshadow palettes are memorized by row and color, so I can apply the right shades. When I first started, I watched tutorials to understand techniques, but now it’s all about touch and memory.

There’s a common assumption that if you can’t see, you don’t have a sense of style. When I go shopping, I choose clothing based on visible patterns, textures and other identifiable features. I also associate colors with familiar things — yellow is the sun, green is nature, black is versatile and goes with anything and white is the lightest shade. This method helps me coordinate colors and create outfits that reflect my personal style.

Blindness is often misunderstood. Some assume that all blind people know sign language or have exceptional hearing, likely because of Helen Keller’s story. While Keller was both deaf and blind, most blind people, including myself, have full hearing and do not use sign language. People also worry about how to talk to blind individuals, as if they might say the “wrong” thing. In reality, there’s no need to avoid words like see or watch—we use them too. Conversations don’t have to be filtered; blindness doesn’t define personality or interests.

Not every blind person navigates the world the same way. We develop our own strategies that work for us, using technology, organization, touch and awareness to engage fully in life. The most important thing is simple: don’t assume—ask.