Morrison’s Space: A DeafBlind Activist

Respecting Boundaries in Everyday and Professional Interactions

A Guide to Appropriate Questions, Communication, and Community‑Centered Respect

May 20, 2026

By Morrison

Many DeafBlind people encounter a recurring and uncomfortable pattern in everyday and professional interactions where they are being asked intrusive questions about their vision, medical history, or diagnosis. These questions often come from strangers, community members, service providers, and even interpreters who should already understand appropriate boundaries. Inquiries such as “How much can you see?”, “When did you go blind?”, or “What caused it?” are not casual or normal conversation; they are boundary violations that reduce a person to their medical details rather than acknowledging them as a full human being. One of the most common and unnecessary question, “Can you see me?”, is especially inappropriate when the person is already known to be DeafBlind. This centers the peson who is asking for comfort instead of respecting the DeafBlind person’s autonomy and privacy.

These types of questions would be considered rude and invasive if directed at anyone else. We do not ask diabetic people how damaged their pancreas is, nor do we ask coworkers to explain the severity of their heart conditions. Likewise, we do not ask Deaf people “Can you hear me?” or “How much can you hear?” or “Can you read my lips?” because we understand that such questions are intrusive and irrelevant to respectful interaction. The same etiquette applies to the DeafBlind community. When interpreters or service providers ask about a DeafBlind’s person’s vision, acuity, or prognosis, it reinforces harmful assumptions about competence, access, autonomy, and power. It also places DeafBlind individuals in a position where declining to answer feels risky, particularly when these providers controls access and/or communication. Curiosity is never more important than dignity, and medical curiosity has no place in routine interaction.

If the goal is to ensure communication access, the only relevant and respectful question is simply, “What is your preferred communication method?” There is no need to ask about diagnosis, acuity, prognosis, or personal medical history. DeafBlind people are not medical puzzles, case studies, or sources of inspiration content; they are individuals with culture, language, and the right to privacy. Respect begins with understanding what questions are appropriate, and recognizing that many of the questions commonly asked of DeafBlind people never were appropritate. Hence this brief lesson on DeafBlind Etiquette.