Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Universal Blind Café?
An international online social community for blind and visually impaired adults. Founded in May 2022, it has over 3,000 members across its Facebook group and Discord server, living on every inhabited continent. Members talk in open voice rooms, play games, watch audio-described movies and join events through the week.
Who can join the Universal Blind Café?
Adults who are blind or visually impaired, and people who directly know someone with a vision impairment, such as family and close friends.
Is the Universal Blind Café free?
Yes. Joining and every event are free, and so is Discord, the app where most of our activity happens.
Is there an online community for blind people with voice chat?
Yes, that's the heart of the Universal Blind Café. Our Discord server has voice rooms that are open all day, a bit like pulling up a stool at a digital bar, so you can drop in and talk without waiting for an event.
Will anyone be in the voice rooms when I drop in?
Usually, and most of all between late afternoon and the evening, Eastern Time. Mornings are calmer, with many of our European members around. If a room is empty, stay anyway: that's the first-in spirit. Whoever arrives first keeps the light on, and others soon drop by. You can also ping members who've turned on Voice alerts.
Can blind people use Discord with a screen reader?
Yes. Plenty of our members rely on Discord daily with VoiceOver on iPhone and Mac, TalkBack on Android, and NVDA or JAWS on Windows, as well as with magnification. It takes some getting used to, and the Universal Blind Café's discord-accessibility channel is full of tips. Our How to Join page walks through every step.
Is the Universal Blind Café on Facebook?
Yes. The Universal Blind Café started out on Facebook, and the group is still a friendly, mostly text-based place to post and chat at your own pace. The live voice rooms and events are on Discord. Our How to Join page covers both.
What events does the Universal Blind Café host, and in what time zone?
Game nights and trivia, audio-described horror films and matinees, word games, a Women's Circle, a Reading Circle and a Sunday Devotional, among others. Our events page lists them in Eastern Time, and Discord shows each one in your own time zone.
Is the Universal Blind Café a support group?
No, we're a social community: somewhere to make friends and enjoy each other's company. Members often swap tips and share what's worked for them, but we don't provide professional services or financial aid. Our Resources page points to organizations that do.
Is the Universal Blind Café a dating site?
No. It's safe for work, and it isn't for dating or romance. People come for friendship and good conversation.
Is the Universal Blind Café the same as the Blind Café dining-in-the-dark events?
No. The Universal Blind Café is an online community and isn't connected with the San Francisco-based Blind Café or its touring dining-in-the-dark events.
What are the Universal Blind Café's rules?
Be kind, keep it safe for work, respect people's privacy, and ask before sending someone a direct message or friend request. Most importantly, be yourself: authenticity is a big part of the Universal Blind Café. We're all different, and that's what makes it interesting. Everyone who joins, on Discord or Facebook, reads and agrees to our full community guidelines.
Can I help run the Universal Blind Café?
Yes, once you've been part of the community for a while. Our admins, moderators and event hosts all come from the community, and we get to know people before they take on a role. When you're ready, apply on our Join the Leadership Team page.