Cooking can seem like a daunting task for blind and partially sighted people, but it’s perfectly achievable with a few adaptations. Talking appliances can be a great help, but blind people can also use the same gas or electric ovens, microwaves, blenders, electric knives, skillets, crock pots as the sighted use. Use Braille or marking glue to label touch buttons and temperature dials, and invest in measuring utensils that are different sizes (rather than marked) to work out portions. Colour and contrast can make things easier during prep time, as it’s easier to find light colour food on a dark chopping board, and darker food on a light board.
Smell, sound, temperature, timers, texture and consistency will help you judge how your food is cooking. If you’re recently blind or your sight is deteriorating, there are special training programs to help you learn to cook without your sight. Just like sighted people, some blind people will enjoy cooking more than others.
Visit RNIB’s Cooking page for more tips on preparing food.