For this audience, I was making a huge mistake. To share some points about good speech craft, I was set to give a speech that starts with the line “You can see it.” I had also planned to include a certain joke because it helps to make a point about immersing the audience in a scene visually. It was a defining moment, realizing that half the people I was talking to could not see.
I had overlooked something critical in my preparation. I was at a State Human Services center, and I did not know that half of my audience was legally blind (uh, should have asked). Not only could they not see me, they might not relate to the ways I typically make the point of helping the audience “see” the scenes within a joke; the mountain trail lined with flowers, the tall green trees, the light coming from overhead. In the past I had described this scene to encourage using rich visual language to draw in the audience.
I was momentarily stunned prior to taking the stage, struggling to relate to what they could possibly envision, and how I could best relate my points to their processes and abilities. This day was also the first time I had witnessed a speaker presenting from his printed notes, in Braille. He was one of the funniest, best adjusted dads I’ve ever heard, relating the joys of raising his 3-year old in the era of iPhone apps. He hilariously reviewed his credit card bill.
Graphic words will involve the audience, and increase retention of a story and the point. A speaker will often ask the audience, “Can you visualize this?” We often depend upon language which is sight-oriented, depth or distance oriented, color-rich, or size-based. Visually compelling.
Studies tell us that the brain functions on mental images. Sight-impaired persons have varying imaginative tendencies, differing degrees of ability, and as speakers, we’ll probably have no clue (due to protocol, time, or politeness) toward understanding each view of the world. But we can work with common knowledge and rely on key assumptions. Sight-impaired persons rely greatly on touch, hearing and smell. Much of their world is accumulated through models which they touch to sense, or hear in order to feel. Therein lays the rule to inclusion. Input, stimulus and feedback from the world in the forms of touch, hearing, and smell are primary to experience - and thus the ability to relate to a speakers message (!).
Taking a few cues from caregivers checklists, when communicating with the sightless;
- Say “hello”. The sightless are trained to greet each other warmly, and it will help with a sense of respect and speaker-audience bonding. Introduce yourself if needed.
- Be warm. The sightless often exchange a re-assuring touch on the arm, reaching behind a handshake. To accomplish this verbally is possible, with some thought. An honest direct compliment is a warm universal for connection.
- Be aware of the direction of your voice. Common gestures might be pointless. Stage movement can cause distraction. A head nod is just a neck exercise.
- Smile lightly. It will come through the voice with positive and lighter sounds.
- Describe settings as sounds and textures, in good detail.
- Relate. It’s easy to exchange “Can to you see the point?”, for, “Can you hear how that works?”, or, “Do you feel the difference?”. (Most audiences need these variations)
- If you are describing a visual aid, be thorough.
- Keep everyone in the action of the room. If you leave the stage, say “I’ll step down now.”
- Be normal too. Expressions like, “Nice to see you” are common, and even blind people say it.
Speaking in a language which includes and aids is more than a gesture, it’s a benefit to everyone. As a community, sight-impaired persons comprise about 3% of the American population, mostly older persons. Sadly, they have very high unemployment rates (depending upon age, as much as 80%). They have practical human concerns, safety problems the sighted cannot imagine, and usually live dependent lives. Many strive to be productive and fulfilled. The blind can also be gifted in ways the sighted are not - astute listeners, they can reveal from our voices what we are feeling, regardless of our words. Anything we can do to include the sight-impaired will enrich lives.
How did it go that day? My examples could have been more relevant. While I have the deepest respect and compassion for the vision impaired, I was not prepared, and I was politely rewarded with friendly appreciation. The lesson soaked in later. I encourage every speaker to be aware of the audience’s communication needs, and at the same time, to appreciate their inspiring innate talents and immeasurable contributions.
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