Interacting with Blind Persons
Info for Raisers
 Sighted guide basics: 1. Ask the blind person if they need help. 2. If they want help, touch their hand with the back of your hand |
 3. Let the blind person grasp your elbow (like one would hold a coke can), or take your wrist if their is a substantial height difference between you. The "coke can" grip allows the blind person to easily disengage his grip if he wishes. Never grab a blind person by the elbow and push them along in front of you! 4. Walk with the person following one step behind. 5. To seat the blind person, lead them to the chair. Place your hand on the chair back. The blind person will follow your arm down to locate the chair. Alternatively, firmly pat the chair to give a sense of its location. Tell the person if the chair has rollers so they will be prepaired. |
BLIND BEATITUDES
BLESSED ARE THEY that refrain from shouting when
they speak to me.BLESSED ARE THEY that talk directly to me and not about me to someone else.
BLESSED ARE THEY who identify themselves when entering a room and say hello to me.
BLESSED ARE THEY that say good bye to me when they leave so I am not left speaking to the air.
BLESSED ARE THEY that do not hesitate to say 'see' when talking to me.
BLESSED ARE THEY who tap my shoulder gently when they approach from behind or from the side when speaking to me.
BLESSED ARE THEY who wait for me to extend my hand before shaking it.
BLESSED ARE THEY who place my hand on a object such as the back of a chair when telling me where it is, so I can seat myself.
BLESSED ARE THEY who do not leave me in a strange environment without orienting me to it.
BLESSED ARE THEY who offer me their arm so they can serve as my guide, instead of grabbing, pulling or shoving me.
BLESSED ARE THEY who come up to me in a large crowd and offer to help me when I appear disoriented.
BLESSED ARE THEY who do not embarrass me in a group of people by openly referring to my blindness in word or action.
BLESSED ARE THEY who laugh with me when I tell a joke related to blindness.
BLESSED ARE THEY who read me the menu and its prices and allow me to order my own meal.
BLESSED ARE THEY who take me to the cashier so I may pay for my own meal.
BLESSED ARE THEY who do not distract my guide dog from being my active eyes.
BLESSED ARE THEY who treat me like a human being, for I am a human being, who just happens to be blind.
WHEN YOU MEET A WORKING GUIDE DOG
(Information from: Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.)
A Guide Dog is a working dog and
whenever it
is in harness, it is hard at work guiding its blind partner. Just as
you
would never interrupt a person who is concentrating on work, you should
never
interrupt a Guide Dog -- no matter how gorgeous the dog and how great
the
temptation!
Here are some general courtesy tips to follow when you encounter a working Guide Dog and its partner:
Here are some general courtesy tips to follow when you encounter a working Guide Dog and its partner:
- Always ask the blind person if you may touch the dog or talk to the dog before doing so uninvited
- Do Not be offended if the blind person prefers that you do not touch the dog or talk to it. Remember, the dog's responsibility is to its blind partner.
- Never offer the dog food, toys, or other distracting treats.
- Do Not interfere with a blind person who is correcting a Guide Dog. Our students are taught how to humanely let their dogs know when a mistake is made. If you have any doubt about the way a blind person is treating his dog guide, call the training school that placed the dog with the person.
- Do Not interfere with the work of a Guide Dog by intentionally standing in its way or grabbing its harness or doing any other distracting action.
- Always ask a blind person if he or she wants assistance rather than grabbing the person without asking. If the person wants your help, allow him or her to take your arm and follow the motion of your body rather than you pushing or pulling the blind person around.
- Be Aware that Guide Dogs have special rights of access to most public places. These rights are protected by law. If you choose not to allow a Guide Dog into your place of business, you may be breaking the law! All graduates of Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc, carry identification cards with them. Feel free to ask to see that card if you are unsure that the dog is a Guide Dog.
THE BLIND SEEK ONLY COMMON
COURTESY
(Excerpted from materials from the Braille Institute)"When you enter a room, please speak to me so I will know that you are there, and tell me your name immediately. Also introduce me to everyone else in the room; otherwise I may not know that they are there. If possible, let Me know that 'Mr. Brown' is across the table, and 'Mr. Smith' is seated at my left, etc.
"Also tell me if there is a dog or cat in the room. Then guide my hand to a chair. Describe the furniture placement and objects I might be apt to bump into, such as a door left ajar, a footstool, or a child's toy on the floor.
"If we go to a restaurant, please read the menu to me, including prices. I may ask for help cutting my meat. Describe the food placement to me as on a clock face. Potatoes at 12, carrots at 3, steak at 6, a tomato at 9, etc. Then I'll do just fine.
"Are you curious to know if I was born blind, or did I have some kind of accident or illness? Don't be sky, ask me. I may be just as anxious to tell you as you are to ask.
"Don't avoid words like 'see;' I sue them, too. Don't stumble over words like 'visually handicapped' or 'partially sighted.' I am blind. I know it. You know it. Be comfortable with it.
"Don't give me undeserved compliments or make patronizing remarks about accomplishments that are commonplace for a sighted person.
"If I have a Guide Dog, remember he is not my 'pet' - he is trained to guide, so please don't pet him or try to play with him. He's on duty, doing the job for which he was trained.
"Please don't raise your voice to me. I am not hard-of-hearing, I'm only blind. If you are accompanying me to a store or restaurant, please encourage the clerks and waiters to speak directly to me, not through you. I am able to think, make decisions and talk. I just can't see.
"I am really the same as a sighted person, so please don't treat me as though I'm special. Just walk beside me and be my friend."
Ten things you should know and
remember when encountering someone who is blind:
10. If you think assistance is needed ask first, and be willing to accept "No Thanks" as the answer.
9. If a dog guide is being used, Do Not Distract the Guide. Never pet or offer food to a dog guide while in the harness or without asking first.
8. Concentration is crucial for the visually impaired while traveling. Avoid distracting them with conversation. If you have met before reintroduce yourself by giving your name, never ask them to guess who you are.
7. When the offer for assistance has been accepted offer them your elbow, don't grab at them or push them along in front of you.
6. When providing directions use words such as Left, Right, North, East, and so on. Avoid phrases such as "over there" or "that way".
As a Driver Remember:
1. Pedestrians who are blind count on you to know and obey the rules of the road, including posted speeds. Be a courteous and cautious driver
2. Do not honk or shout that it is safe to go.
3. Remove confusion which can occur when having to find the path around a car, stop before crosswalks, not in them.
4. Come to a complete stop at stop signs, Pause and then when it is clear continue with caution.
5. Pedestrians who are blind can not see crosswalk markings. Watch for pedestrians waiting outside the crosswalks and at unmarked intersections.
6. Blind persons count on motor noise to know when a car is there. If you drive a hybrid vehicle, remember a blind person will not hear you and may not know you are there.
People who use their eyes to receive information about the world are called sighted people or "people who are sighted." Legal "sight" means any visual acuity greater than 20/200 in the better eye without correction or an angle of vision wider than 20 degrees. Sighted people enjoy rich full lives, working, playing and raising families. They run businesses, hold public office and teach your children!
HOW DO SIGHTED PEOPLE GET AROUND?!
People who are sighted may walk or ride public transportation, but most choose to travel long distances by operating their own motor vehicles. They have gone through many hours of training to learn the "rules of the road" in order to further their independence. Once that road to freedom has been mastered, sighted people earn a legal classification and a "Driver's License" which allows them to operate a private vehicle safely and independently.
HOW TO ASSIST A SIGHTED PERSON
Sighted people are accustomed to viewing the world in visual terms. This means that in many situations, they will not be able to communicate orally and may resort to pointing or other gesturing. Subtle facial expressions may also be used to convey feelings in social situations. Calmly alert the sighted person to his surroundings by speaking slowly, in a normal tone of voice. Questions directed at the sighted person help focus attention back on the verbal rather than visual communication. At times, sighted people may need help finding things, especially when operating a motor vehicle. Your advance knowledge of routes and landmarks, particularly bumps in the road, turns and traffic lights, will assist the "driver" in finding the way quickly and easily. Your knowledge of building layouts can also assist the sighted person in navigating complex shopping malls and offices. Sighted people tend to be very proud and will not ask directly for assistance. Be gentle yet firm.
HOW DO SIGHTED PEOPLE USE COMPUTERS?!
The person who is sighted relies exclusively on visual information. His or her attention span fades quickly when reading long texts. Computer information is presented in a "Graphical User Interface" or GUI. Coordination of hands and eyes is often a problem for sighted people, so the computer mouse, a handy device that slides along the desk top, saves confusing keystrokes. With one button, the sighted person can move around his or her computer screen quickly and easily. People who are sighted are not accustomed to synthetic speech and may have great difficulty understanding even the clearest synthesizer. Be patient and prepared to explain many times how your computer equipment works.
HOW DO SIGHTED PEOPLE READ?!
Sighted people read through a system called "Print." this is a series of images drawn in a two dimensional plain. People who are sighted generally have a poorly developed sense of touch. Braille is completely foreign to the sighted person and he or she will take longer to learn the code and be severely limited by his or her existing visual senses. Sighted people cannot function well in low lighting conditions and are generally completely helpless in total darkness. their homes are usually very brightly lit at great expense, as are businesses that cater to the sighted consumer.
HOW CAN I SUPPORT A SIGHTED PERSON?!
People who are sighted do not want your charity. They want to live, work and play along with you. The best thing you can do to support sighted people in your community is to open yourself to their world. These people are vital contributing members to society. Take a sighted person to lunch today!