Thread: Blind travelers-

Please don't flame me for this question. I see Braille signs at strategic points. How does a blind person find them? (Not trying to be funny!)

Good question. I would venture a guess that their "helper" finds them. Maybe?

I have seen service dogs with blind passengers on several ships. I suspect that when the passenger is around and about without their human companion that the dog finds the right place and then the braille is confirmation of where they are.

I was on a cruise a year or so ago with a couple...he was sighted and she was not. She would go all around the ship with the help of her canine companion when her husband was doing something else. He would come down to the bar while she was dressing for dinner and she and her dog would meet him there.

It's amazing how those animals learn their way around so quickly!

DAHH! I guess a person wouldn't be on a cruise alone.
I forgot that aspect!

Actually, I think the signs are always placed in the same places all the time so the blind people know that if there is a door, the sign would be in a set location.

Interesting question!

If the person is alone, how do they know the door is there?

Originally Posted by ruthlessboss

Please don't flame me for this question. I see Braille signs at strategic points. How does a blind person find them? (Not trying to be funny!)

Psst. No one is going to flame anyone around these parts...I assure you. Even if the question was offensive, we would just move it or offer up some simple retort.

We don't flame here.

I thin your question is excellent. I am going to do a little more research on cruising with sight impairments and blindness and see what sort of resources are out there.

I shall be back with some more information.

And by the way, Great question Ruthless. Thanks.

Originally Posted by ruthlessboss

If the person is alone, how do they know the door is there?

There are actually some products out there that allow a solo-blind traveller to navigate effectively.

Think Handheld GPS with speech. There a a few companies, including one called Traveleyes, that produce these units with a talking GPS system, area attractions, pinpoint locations, and real-time directions.

There are also many disability specific travel agencies and group tour organizers out there...in fact, there are even Blind/Sight Impaired Cruises each year.

You can find a little more information here: New Resources for Blind Travelers: Tours, Tools Extend Accessible Options for the Sight-Impaired

Good info. Technology has come a long way. Also with my generation (baby boomer) reaching high numbers and our unexpected needs grow, it's nice to have those items showing up, and organized groups forming.

OMG!!! Googled blind cruises. There is a travel agency called dimensionsintravel.com unique travel. They arrange cruises to Alaska, Sept 29 to Mexico on Sea Princess, Oct 9 to Canada and New England and more. They allow 25 guide dogs!
What have I started in my brain since I posed my initial question?