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:
5. Pedestrians who are blind can not see crosswalk markings. Watch for pedestrians waiting outside the crosswalks and at unmarked intersections
4. Come to a complete stop at stop signs, Pause and then when it is clear continue with caution.
3. Remove confusion which can occur when having to find the path around a car, stop before crosswalks, not in them.
2. Do not honk or shout that it is safe to go.
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