No matter how competent we are as blind people, there are certain tasks that require sight. For some of us those tasks include reading the mail, paying bills, or labeling spices. For others, assistance is needed in getting to and conquering grocery shopping or buying spiffy new clothes at the mall. Maybe you need someone with eyesight to help organize your photo albums or inspect suit jackets for dry cleaning, or to “spot” you while you sort and label tools, repair a car engine, or fill those boiled mason jars with homemade preserves.
Of course, there is always the option of hiring assistance to get things done. But the majority of blind Americans aren’t renowned for their enormous bank accounts.
Deborah Kendrick says she has rarely paid anyone to help with vision-related tasks since hiring readers in graduate school.
Volunteers can be found to do just about anything – and they often become lifelong friends. Beyond finding them, the key to happiness for you and your volunteer is in training them – and, of course, keeping them coming back!
Deborah Kendridk is an award-winning newspaper columnist, editor, and poet. She is a frequent speaker on disability issues, and is currently working on a biography of Dr. Abraham Nemeth.

Group Discussion Leaders
Ruth Ann Acosta,
Email: ruth1244@gmail.com
Sherry Wells
E-mail: sdwells@us.ibm.com