What's on the Table

Eating out can still be enjoyable no matter your level of vision. In this workshop, we'll share simple tips for exploring what's on the table and plate in front of us.

The key to exploring unfamiliar table settings is to go low and slow. This approach avoids knocking things over as we figure out what is where. Moving low means hovering our hands just above the table itself to explore. That way, we'll come into contact with the base of a water glass for instance, instead of the rim. Then to make gentle contact with items in front of us, we use the back of our fingers. With our palms facing the table and fingers slightly curled inward, we'll move our hands around the place setting to discover the silverware, plate, water glasses, et cetera.

When the food arrives, a slow systematic approach helps to map things out. We started the top of the plate and use the fork to brush downwards. Gently move the fork toward the middle of the plate to find the food that's there, then taste it. Now that we know what food is near the top, move the fork back to the top edge of the plate and follow along the right side. Again, move the fork in towards the middle of the plate and use it to taste and identify food on the right side. Keep using this pattern for the bottom of the plate and then around to the left side until the whole plate is explored.

And of course, there may be times when we could use some help. It doesn't take much for a friend or waiter to explain what's on the top, bottom, left and right sides of the plate. For more tips, continue the series or contact a Hadley Learning expert.