What Challenges Do the Disabled Face Everyday?
- SensAble
- May 8
- 6 min read
Table of Contents:
Disability doesn't define a person—it challenges society to become more inclusive, empathetic, and innovative. Every day, millions of people with disabilities navigate a world that often wasn't designed with them in mind. From navigating physical spaces and digital environments to dealing with social stigma, the day-to-day realities are layered and deeply human.
This blog zooms in on one specific—but often misunderstood—community: blind people. While vision loss is just one form of disability, it powerfully illustrates how environments, tools, and attitudes shape everyday life for visually impaired persons.
To understand what challenges do the disabled face everyday, we need to move past stereotypes and look at real, lived experiences. It's about meeting people where they are and designing systems that allow them to move freely, work fully, and live boldly.
"Accessibility is not charity. It's basic human dignity."
- disability advocate Haben Girma
Many people equate vision with independence, but for blind people, the story is far more complex—and far more inspiring. Their daily lives offer stories of deep resilience, creative problem-solving, and innovations that benefit not just them but all of us. Whether it's navigating cities, building careers, or raising families, visually impaired persons are doing it all—just differently.
As we explore the landscape of challenges and possibilities, we also hope to shed light on just how much the presence or absence of accessibility affects someone's ability to thrive.Read this blog till the end to discover how innovation, empowerment, and empathy can reshape life for visually impaired persons.
Key Takeaways
Blind people navigate a world filled with visual barriers and social misconceptions.
Blind people's problems range from mobility to digital inaccessibility.
Despite these challenges, a blind person can live an independent and empowered life.
Technology and awareness are vital in breaking down accessibility barriers.
SensAble is developing cutting-edge assistive tools for visually impaired individuals.
The Problems Faced by Blind People
"The real problem isn't our blindness; it's the world that refuses to see us."
— Sabriye Tenberken, co-founder of Braille Without Borders.
While vision loss comes with its own set of challenges, many of the problems faced by blind people are actually created by how society is structured.
Let's break down some of the most common challenges faced by blind people:
1. Limited Accessibility in Physical Spaces
Inadequate tactile paving or audio signals at crossings
Lack of Braille or large print signage in public spaces
Non-intuitive layouts that make navigation difficult
2. Digital Exclusion
Websites and apps that aren't compatible with screen readers
Poor colour contrast or layout that makes reading hard
Video content without audio descriptions
3. Employment Barriers
Employers assuming disability for blind people equals less productivity
Offices lacking accessible equipment
Underrepresentation in professional sectors
4. Social Stigma and Isolation
Being talked about instead of to
People offering unsolicited help or assuming incompetence
Difficulty forming connections in unfamiliar social environments
5. Transportation Difficulties
Unpredictable public transport with poor verbal announcements
Inaccessibility in ride-share apps
Lack of proper walking aids or navigational cues
The way society ignores the needs of blind people is the underlying root of these issues, not their blindness itself.
What Can a Blind Person Do?
It's a common misconception that a blind person's abilities are somehow limited to a narrow set of tasks. But that couldn't be further from the truth. With the right environment, support, and tools, the possibilities are endless. Blind individuals are not just capable —they are innovators, artists, educators, and leaders.
In fact, history and the present are full of people who didn't let a lack of sight limit their vision:
Here are just a few of the many roles and passions that blind people actively pursue:
Entrepreneurs & Business Leaders: Isaac Lidsky, who lost his sight by age 25, became a Supreme Court clerk, built a $250M construction company, and authored a bestselling book.
Artists & Musicians: Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles didn't just adapt to their blindness—they revolutionised music across generations.
Educators & Scientists: Dr. Mona Minkara, a blind bioengineer, runs a lab researching lung diseases and advocates globally for accessibility in STEM.
Athletes: From track events to judo, blind athletes compete and win medals at international levels, including the Paralympics.
Writers, Poets, and Public Speakers: Many blind individuals find power in storytelling and public engagement, sharing experiences that inspire broader societal change.
Even in daily life, blind people cook meals, raise children, manage households, travel solo, and engage in hobbies like photography, gardening, or playing video games—sometimes with just a few tweaks to how things are done.
It is critical that we shift our perspective from one of "limitations" to one of opportunity and access. The challenge isn't the blindness—it's the societal mindset and infrastructure that needs to catch up.
A blind person can be just as productive, joyful, and passionate—just with a different toolkit.
Helpful Things for the Blind
Empowerment begins with thoughtful, accessible, and supportive help for blind people. There's no one-size-fits-all solution, but there's a growing range of helpful things for the blind that support independence, learning, and mobility. These include both low-tech and high-tech tools.
1. Assistive Technology
Screen readers like JAWS or NVDA
Braille displays and Braille e-books
Voice assistant apps like Seeing AI, Be My Eyes, or VoiceOver
GPS-based navigation tools tailored for the blind
2. Tactile Tools & Devices
Braille watches and calendars
Talking calculators and thermometers
Raised-line paper for writing and drawing
3. Orientation and Mobility Training
Long cane techniques
Guide dog programs
Route learning and obstacle identification
4. Community and Peer Support
Facebook and Reddit groups for visually impaired users
Organisations like the National Federation of the Blind
Blind mentorship and skill-sharing networks
5. Everyday Living Aids
Liquid level indicators for pouring
Colour identifiers for clothing
Bump dots for marking appliances
All these are useful things for a blind person —and they continue to evolve with innovation.
Our Product: Technology by SensAble
At SensAble, we believe that accessories for a blind person should go beyond utility—they should empower.
But beyond tech, there’s a deeply personal story at the heart of SensAble.
Our co-founder, Sakshi, was like any other 19-year-old—full of life, curiosity, and dreams. But her world changed when she suddenly began to lose her vision. She experienced firsthand the confusion, fear, and frustration that comes with sudden visual impairment.
Instead of accepting limitations, she chose action. A determined social entrepreneur, Sakshi transformed her personal challenge into a mission to help others.
Our latest innovation, VIZION 1, is a wearable assistant designed for visually impaired equipment needs. Here's what it offers:
Features of VIZION 1:
Obstacle Detection: Uses sensors to detect obstacles and provide real-time alerts
Multi-Sensory Feedback: Audio and vibration cues for directional assistance
Smart Mapping: Stores frequent routes to make solo navigation easier
Compact Design: Comfortable, discreet, and easy to wear
VIZION 1 is built to assist without taking over. It works alongside your natural orientation and other tools like canes or guide dogs.
Why It Matters:
Assists blind people in independently navigating public spaces.
Lessens the necessity of depending on other people to provide visual information.
Boosts confidence and independence in daily life.
Whether it's moving around a crowded café or finding a lost item at home, VIZION 1 is a game-changer in the landscape of best products for the blind.
SensAble's mission is to reshape the narrative around disability, shifting the focus from “not able enough” to “differently-abled.”
Conclusion
To understand what challenges do the disabled face everyday, we need to listen, observe, and include. Blind people don't need sympathy—they need solutions.
The challenges of being blind are real—but so is the strength and adaptability of those who face them. The journey of blind people is not about overcoming disability alone—it's about reshaping systems that weren't built with them in mind. They're not waiting for rescue. They're creating, leading, building, and dreaming—with or without sight. From tech innovators and artists to everyday heroes managing life independently, blind people are redefining what's possible.
Let's leave you with a real story:
"There's nothing I can't do, only things I do differently," says Christine Ha, the blind chef who won MasterChef Season 3.
Her story—and countless others—proves that capability isn't defined by vision. It's defined by mindset, tools, and opportunity.
Through assistive tech, inclusive design, and broader social understanding, we can change the narrative. We can help blind individuals live not just with dignity—but with flair. We all benefit from a world designed with everyone in mind. When cities, technology, policies, and culture align with accessibility, it doesn't just help one group—it uplifts society as a whole.
If you're someone looking to create a more accessible world—or seeking the right tools for yourself or a loved one—SensAble is here to help.
Because disability isn't a limitation, it's a call to innovate.
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