blind

this is an acceptable adjective to denote someone who is sightless or whose vision is so restricted as to be useless for ordinary purposes; "the substitution of a euphemistic expression for blind could itself be objectionable if perceived as implying that blindness is too piteous a condition to be stated in plain language" (American Heritage Book of English Usage ). Do not use as a noun ("the blind"), since people are not only one characteristic. "Visual impairment" implies a range of problems that stops short of total or legal blindness ("someone with a visual impairment"); you can also use "low vision" or "limited vision." Ask the person what they prefer. Avoid once-I-was-blind-but-now-I-see metaphors, which associate physical loss of vision with negative personal characteristics. Use naive, unaware, ignorant, obtuse, dense, unreasoning, senseless, thoughtless, uncritical, undiscerning, insensitive, unfeeling, indifferent. See also disabilities, handicapism, handicapped, "people first" rule."