Name: Blindness isn't a tragic binary — it's a rich spectrum
Uploaded: 2023-07-28T14:46:50Z
Duration: 5 min 51 s
Description: When does vision loss become blindness? Writer, audio producer and editor Andrew Leland explains how his gradual loss of vision revealed a paradoxical truth about blindness -- and shows why it might have implications for how all of us see the world.

Andrew Leland: Blindness isn't a tragic binary — it's a rich spectrum

Blindness isn't a tragic binary — it's a rich spectrum

When does vision loss become blindness? Writer, audio producer and editor Andrew Leland explains how his gradual loss of vision revealed a paradoxical truth about blindness -- and shows why it might have implications for how all of us see the world.

Blindness is not simply the total absence of sight, but a complex spectrum with many forms and experiences. Even someone who is legally blind may still perceive colors, shapes, or use adaptive skills, as illustrated by a viral photo of a woman with a white cane looking at her phone. The shifting boundaries of vision loss challenge cultural assumptions and reveal how our brains quickly adapt to changing abilities. Recognizing the diversity within blindness opens the door to greater understanding and challenges harmful stereotypes.