kaib18•24d ago

Appreciation post: That moment I realized my 'helpful' habit was actually making things harder for my blind coworker

I work in an office in Denver and for 3 months I kept rearranging the break room supplies to be 'neat' - putting coffee cups in a different cabinet, moving sugar to the top shelf. My coworker Jenna, who uses a cane to get around, told me last Thursday that she kept bumping into things because I moved stuff without warning her. I never once thought about how my organizing was messing up her mental map of the space. Now I always ask before I touch anything that's not mine. Has anyone else had a rude awakening about a habit you thought was harmless?

2 comments

2 Comments

jordan_webb4924d ago

Honestly this hits hard because I think a lot of us have this urge to 'fix' stuff without thinking about who it actually helps. I've noticed this at grocery stores where people will reorganize the shelves to be 'cleaner' and it just throws off anyone who relies on knowing exactly where things are. It's like we get so focused on what looks good that we forget the system was already working for someone else.

aaronlee5d ago

Is it really about helping people though, @jordan_webb49, or is some of that urge just about needing to feel useful? I get the grocery store thing but sometimes a fresh layout actually does make it easier for everyone, not just the person who likes change.