The Myth of the “Good Blind” and Why It’s Holding Us Back

Table of Contents:

• Introduction

• The “Rules” of Blindness 

  
  

Key Takeaways:

• Blindness isn’t the end of the story—it’s just a new chapter.

• There’s the expectation that every blind person should be a loud, relentless advocate for accessibility.

Introduction

Let’s get something straight: there’s no “right” way to be blind.Yet, for some reason, the blind and visually impaired (BVI) community continues to carry the weight of a myth—the idea that there’s an acceptable or “ideal” way to navigate life without sight. And guess what? That myth isn’t just unhelpful; it’s damaging. 

As someone who started identifying with disability at 19, I’ve spent years battling the silent pressures of being a “good blind.” But let me tell you a secret: the concept is an illusion. And the sooner we, as a community, admit that to ourselves, the freer we’ll be. 

The “Rules” of Blindness 

Here’s the thing: if you’re blind, there’s a set of unwritten rules about how you should act, dress, move, and even advocate for yourself. You’re supposed to carry a white cane, but for six years, I didn’t. Not because I had some grand statement to make, but because no one told me I needed it. Maybe it’s because I live in India, where canes come with a heavy stigma attached, but the fact remains: I just didn’t think it applied to me. 

And don’t get me started on the makeup stereotype. Blind women aren’t “supposed” to care about how they look—right? Well, I do. I wear makeup, and I love it. Does that make me less blind? Does it invalidate my disability? 

Then there’s the expectation that every blind person should be a loud, relentless advocate for accessibility. Don’t get me wrong—advocacy is essential, but I spent years in the dark (pun intended) about what “acceptable levels” of inclusion even meant. Growing up sighted, I didn’t fully grasp the standards or where to start. Does that make me a bad blind person? 

The answer is no. But for years, I believed otherwise.