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When You Meet a Person who is Blind or Vision Impaired
Some people may feel uneasy when thinking about assisting a person who is blind or vision impaired. Listed below are some helpful suggestions.
- Identify yourself
- Speak in a normal and comfortable tone. Do not shout. Most persons who are blind can hear well.
- Look at and speak directly to the person, not to a third
party. - Remember that nods, shrugs and gestures may not be noticed as clues to what you are conveying.
- Do not avoid words like blind, look or see. These words are part of everyday conversation.
- Feel free to discuss and attend movies or sporting events with persons who are blind or vision impaired. They enjoy common activities as much as anyone.
When you guide a person who is blind
The Sighted Guide Technique is popularly accepted as the safest, most efficient way for a person with a visual impairment to walk with a sighted person.
- Identify yourself and ask if assistance is needed.
- Let the person take your arm just above your elbow with the thumb on one side and fingers on the other pointing straight ahead. You can guide with either the right or the left arm, which can either hang straight at your side or bend at the elbow.
- The person follows a half step behind you at a pace which is comfortable for both of you.
- To sit, bring the person into contact with the chair. Describe which way the chair faces.
- Say right and left when giving directions based on the way the person is facing.
- Identify steps, curbs or other obstacles.
- Inform the person if you need to leave. Put the person in contact with an object such as a wall or piece of furniture.
- Do not pet, feed or distract a dog guide from doing its job.
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