Updated as of October 8, 2024.
Below, we investigate resources for blind/low vision students interested in learning how to weld.
Videos of Blind Individuals Welding
The first is a YouTube video from a gentleman in Great Britain. “Projects – a Blind Man learns Mig Welding!!!!” from The Blind Woodturner.
- In this video, the blind welder spends just over an hour talking through the process of welding as a completely-blind individual. He does a good job of describing his process, and we believe this video may be valuable for students, parents, and educators – both teachers of blind/low vision students and welding instructors.
- In order to make it easier to use this video, please check out this Transcript for “Projects – a Blind Man learns Mig Welding!!!!” from The Blind Woodturner.
Another resource is on Facebook: The Blind Guy Is Welding Again! The video is quite short, but it does illustrate a blind individual performing welding independently. This video is most useful for illustrating that a blind individual can weld independently – something the welding instructor (and the student) may find helpful.
Common Thread in the Videos
The most obvious safety tool used by these blind welders is safety gloves that can withstand high, high heat. In fact, in the videos, it appears that the welding torch touches the gloves. This allows the welder to tactually determine where the welding torch is in relation to the materials being welded.
Additional Ideas
Best practices in woodworking
While woodworking is a different task from welding, it is far more widespread than welding. We therefore investigate whether some best practices from blind woodworking might be useful in welding.
BISM (Blind Industries and Services of Maryland) has an on-site woodshop for blind individuals as part of its Adult Training program at its Baltimore location (3345 Washington Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21227). The professionals who provide training for BISM students may be excellent resources for students, parents, and educators – both teachers of blind/low vision students and welding instructors.
Also, the website, The Blind Man’s Workshop, contains several articles on techniques that may be transferrable to welding.
Non-visual measuring
Using tools that allow individuals to perform accurate measurements non-visually may be quite useful for your student. One such tool that is commonly used in woodworking is the Click Rule. It allows accurate measurement to one-sixteenth of an inch. In fact, once they learn about the tool, many sighted woodworkers acquire a Click Rule; it is simply a great tool.
- This Basic Click Rule Demonstration with Mark Barlow YouTube video illustrates how to use the Click Rule.
- You may purchase a Click Rule at:
Jigs
In essence, jigs are templates/guides. Just as an individual can use a signature guide or a check writing guide to perform these tasks, jigs allow the user to pinpoint the area where work is to be performed. Moreover, a jig will block access to areas where work should not be performed. Please consider discussing the creation and use of jigs as you explore blind welding or other activities in which a jig may be helpful.
Contact the Bridges Helpdesk for More Information
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- Email: Helpdesk@imagemd.org
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This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.