Q: What do people with autism do for fun?

A:Individuals who have autism often enjoy the same recreational activities as their non-handicapped peers. They often like music, swimming, hiking, camping, working puzzles, playing table games, etc. Some do not like noisy activities with crowds.

Q:How do blind people identify their clothes?

A:Most articles of clothing will have at least one distinct way of identifying them by feel. They will have different buttons or the fabric or texture will be different. Dresses, skirts, and pants will have belts or elastic at the waist or different kinds of pockets. For example, you can tell that the green blouse has the fuzzy collar and matches the green pants with the belt that feels like rope. In this way, blind people can learn to tell their clothes apart by touch, and they can learn to tell what clothes match each other. If clothing feels the same, blind people may mark their clothes using Braille tags that are sewed to the clothes Another way would be to sew a button to the tag of a blue suit and cut out a corner of the tag on a gray suit. It helps to have a description of clothes that they buy at a store or receive as a gift.

Q:How do blind people recognize colors?

A:Some people with visual impairments are able to see some colors although others do not see any. It is important to learn about colors even if you cannot see them. It is important for them to learn what colors look nice together, what colors do not match, and about stripes, plaids, and other patterns. Friends can help teach this to them because it is important for clothing and decorating. It may be helpful for them also to understand that the sky is mostly blue and grass is mostly green, and the colors of the ocean and the colors of leaves in the fall. Their imagination will help them paint pictures in their mind.

Q:How do blind people shop for groceries?

A:There are many kinds of food that can be identified by touch, such as fruits and vegetables, and packaged meats. But things like canned foods, cereal boxes, gallons of milk, and ice cream containers may be hard to identify. Many blind people like to shop with a friend who will help to find things and read the different brands and types.

Q:What is Braille? How do blind people read Braille?

A:Braille is a system of making raised dots on paper to form letters and words that are read with fingertips. Each Braille letter, word, punctuation mark, number, or musical note can be made up using different combinations of dots. Braille can be written with a Braille writing machine (similar to a typewriter). It can also be written by using a pointed object, similar to a pencil, to punch dots down through paper using a Braille slate as a guide.

Q:How do blind people cook? How do they know what is in the can or package on the shelf?

A:Blind people use the same kitchen tools and appliances as sighted people use. Braille labels can help on the microwave touch buttons or oven dials. These labels also can be made to put on cans and packages to mark foods. It is easier to use things like measuring cups and spoons that stack with different sizes rather than ones with lines drawn on them.

Q:How does a blind person tell time?

A:There are watches that open up so a blind person can feel where the hands are and can feel Braille dots at the different hour points. There are also talking watches that speak the time and have an alarm built in. Many talking clocks have different types of alarms that people can use in their home, in their office, or when they travel. For people who can read some print, there are clocks and watches with large print faces.

Q:How does a blind woman put on make-up and do her hair?

A:Each of these things can be done without using a mirror or any vision. It can take some practice in the beginning but women can learn to feel the different ways of drying, curling, or styling hair. Make-up can be applied by touch and women can ask sighted friends for tips on color and amount.

Q:Should I help a person with a disability to do something?

A:If a person with a disability asks you for help, then you may certainly help. You can also offer to help them, but if they say "no," it may mean that they are used to doing it independently or are learning to do so.

Q:What causes blindness?

A:Many things cause blindness. Sometimes babies are born blind, but most blind people become blind later on. Glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy are the three most common causes of blindness today. Some people become blind through accidents.

Q:What does it mean to say someone is blind?

A:There is a legal definition for blindness. It says that people are legally blind (1) if they can see less at 20 feet than a person with normal vision sees at 200 ft or (2) if they cannot see to the sides which is usually called "tunnel vision."

Q:Can legally blind people see anything at all?

A:Most people who are legally blind can see something. Some see light or colors. Others see large objects or moving objects. Others see things straight in front of them or things to the side of them.

Q:Can blind people hear better than sighted people?

A:No. A blind person's other senses are no different from anyone else's. However, blind people train themselves to use these senses because they need them more than a sighted person does. For example, at night you are more sensitive to sounds because your eyes can's tell you as much as they can when it is daytime and light.

Q:What should I do when I meet a person with a disability?

A:Be friendly and introduce yourself just the way you would to anyone else. Talk in your normal speaking voice. If the person is with someone else, don't ignore the person with a disability and just talk to the companion. Sometimes people do this if they are uncomfortable. If you relax and try to get to know the person, you'll feel a lot more comfortable and may make a new friend!

Q:What if I say something like "Do you see what I mean?" to a blind person or "Listen to this" to a deaf person?

A:Don't worry about it. These phrases have more than one meaning and people with disabilities use them, too. As you get to know someone better, you won't be so self-conscious.

Q:How does a blind person identify money?

A:Coins such as nickels, pennies, dimes, and quarters are easy to tell apart because they are different sizes. Quarters and dimes have ridges around them, while pennies and nickels are smooth. There are many ways that paper money can be identified. Some blind people like to keep different bills in separate places in their wallets. The most common way to tell paper money apart is to fold the bills in different ways. Maybe a five dollar bill is folded in half the long way, and a ten dollar bill is folded in half the short way or folded twice. A one dollar bill might not be folded at all. When they get money back from someone, they may ask which bill is which and then fold it. Source: http://www.nfb.org/kids.htm

Q:How do blind people get around?

A:There are many ways. Using a long white cane allows someone who is blind to locate steps, curbs and doorways. The cane is long enough to be about two steps ahead, so people find things with their cane before they get to them. Some blind people use a guide dog that is especially trained. When the blind person hears that it is safe to cross the street, he or she will tell the dog to go ahead. The blind person using the dog is always in charge and must tell the dog what to do.

Q:Can anyone catch Down syndrome from a baby?