The nuances of touch can be both a supportive and occasionally intrusive element in the lives of blind or visually impaired people, especially in public spaces. My MSc in Applied Sport Psychology research premise is that for blind individuals, uninvited or unexpected touch can be particularly distressing since it lacks the visual cues sighted people use to anticipate and contextualize physical interactions. This led me to propose training to build confidence in "touch exchange"—a practice aimed at enhancing comfort in crowded environments where incidental touch is frequent.

Juliette responds by explaining his personal experiences, noting that she has become comfortable with receiving help from others, even accepting some degree of unsolicited physical guidance. She also points out that his proactive and outgoing nature likely aids his adaptability in these situations, which contrasts with the experience of others who might feel a loss of independence or discomfort when needing assistance.

The whole conversation with Juliette and Dominic captured the personalized nature of confidence and support in visually impaired individuals' interactions, where personal history, personality, and relationship dynamics influence how individuals navigate social and physical spaces. Eventually, their lived experiences suggest that the need for touch, or its effects, can be as individual as one’s unique journey with visual impairment.

If you are visually impaired or blind, or if you know someone who is, and would like to take part to the series of Martial Attitude Voice podcast interviews exploring touch, confidence and blindness or if you would like to join in the Martial Attitude Training workshops now running in London every Sunday, please do keep in touch via Instagram or according to your communication preferences, all available  HERE.  

Sincerely,

Mathias Alberton

Founder CEO at Martial Attitude C.I.C.

BPS trainee Sport Psychologist 

MSc in Applied Sport Psychology at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, London, UK.