TEN TIPS ON WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU MEET A "BLIND" PERSON

"Blind" is referring to all visually challenged individuals, since most sighted people do not know the degree of a visually challenged person's vision loss. For the purpose of simplifying this discussion, "VCP" will be used to refer to the visually challenged person or visually challenged people.

Now, the 10 Tips!

1. DON'T IGNORE THEM!

Many people will notice a VCP who appears to need some assistance and they just simply ignore the VCP, either through "paralysis" or through simply not knowing what to do.

There are two principle rules to follow:

• Simple Courtesy: Instead of viewing a VCP as someone "different", treat the VCP just as you would anyone else. Use simple courtesy: "May I help you find something?"

  Information First, Options Second: Using simple courtesy, merely provide information such as: "The walk sign is flashing"; "The doorway is to your left 10 feet"; "The 2B bus is here". After you have provided the initial information, then you can offer some options, such as: "Would you like to take my arm to cross the street?" (The VCP has the option of taking your arm or not.)

  These two principles are very helpful and non-intrusive to the VCP and they allow for a comfortable environment for interaction and assistance.

 

2. REMEMBER, A "BLIND" PERSON IS NOT DEAF OR RETARDED.

VCP's are rarely deaf or retarded. Yet many people communicate with them as if they are! VCP's are just like you except for one difference: They can't see as well. Many VCP's view their vision loss as a mere inconvenience, not a disability. Treat them like regular people. Talk to them in a normal voice at a normal pace. A person's vision loss has no bearing whatsoever on effective communication skills or hearing ability.

 

3. IDENTIFY YOURSELF!

Now, here we are telling you to treat the VCP as you would anyone else. BUT then, most people you talk to can see who you are. Many times the VCP will recognize your voice. Out of courtesy, do not make that assumption. Simply say who you are: "Hi, this is Joan. How are you doing?" and eliminate any confusion or awkwardness of mis-identity.

It is also helpful to address the VCP when you begin a conversation. Many times the VCP is unaware that he or she is being addressed. By saying the VCP's name at the start of the conversation, this confusion is eliminated.

So, begin a conversation with, "Hello, John! This is Kim. How are you?…" Again, this allows for a comfortable environment for interaction and assistance.

 

4. LET THE VCP KNOW WHEN YOU ARE LEAVING.

Along with identifying yourself when you begin a conversation with a VCP, comes the problem of walking away from a VCP without saying so. The VCP is often standing there talking to no one! This is quite embarrassing. Simply say, "Bye, John. I've got to go and……"

 

5. ANNOUNCE YOURSELF WHEN YOU ENTER A ROOM.

It is quite unnerving to a VCP not to know who is present in a room or to be unaware that someone has even entered the room. If you are entering a room, announce your entrance, either by talking directly to the VCP ("Hi, John. This is Kim.") or by speaking to the group in general, stating your name.

If you are already in a room and someone else enters without announcing her presence, you can take the initiative and either say to the VCP directly that Kim has arrived. Or you can merely address the person who has arrived ("Hi, Kim. How are you doing?"). This approach provides the necessary information in a very casual manner.

If someone exits the room, the same principle should apply. Either inform the VCP that someone is leaving ("Kim is leaving.") or say goodbye to the person leaving ("Bye, Kim. See you later"). If you are leaving yourself, say directly to the VCP, "Bye, John. I'll be talking to you soon." Or "John, I'm leaving. Kim, Andy and Susan are here."

 

6. DON'T SAY, "CAN I HELP YOU?"

"What could possibly be wrong with this?" you might ask. Well, believe it or not, this statement is not quite as innocent as it might sound.

What's wrong is that you have just intruded into a VCP's "space". It places the VCP in a defensive position ("What makes you think I need help?"). It makes the VCP think that you view him as helpless.

Go back to number 1 above. If the VCP seems to be functioning just fine and not having any difficulty whatsoever, there is no need to interfere. If you notice that the VCP may be disoriented or looking for something, then you can provide them with specific information or you can very casually ask if they are looking for something.

Again, don't ask, "May I help you?" A better way to phrase this is to be more specific: "What bus (building, street, etc.) are you looking for?"

 

7. TALK DIRECTLY TO THE VISUALLY CHALLENGED PERSON (Not the person who is with the VCP)!

Usually VCP's are quite intelligent, have good hearing and speaking skills. They just can't see very well! Often people talk to the person the VCP is with, rather than to the VCP directly!

A VCP does not need an interpreter! He or she is quite capable of communicating directly with others. The VCP can even hand over a plane ticket, for example. And even take it back. Allow the VCP to be independent and self-sufficient.

This problem is most prevalent in public situations: restaurants, transportation facilities, retail stores and other situations where the VCP may not be alone.

And sometimes even the sighted companion may enable this situation to occur by taking over the conversation.

If you are with a VCP and someone else is looking at you to relay conversation, direct the conversation back to the VCP by turning to the VCP and merely say, "John …". This will prompt the VCP to assume the conversation.

If that doesn't work, then tell the other person, "I think John can talk to you about that himself." Another trick is to say, "John, I'm going to go over and look at ... I'll let you two discuss this." If you are not there, the other person has no choice but to directly communicate with the VCP!

 

8. DON'T TAKE OVER A TASK A VCP IS ENGAGED IN!

Many people think they are being of assistance to a VCP by taking over a task that the VCP is engaged in. For example, a VCP may be pouring a cup of coffee. Some people might observe this, go over to the VCP and say, "Let me do that for you."

Or even worse say: "Can I help you?"

Another example would be a VCP asking someone where the trash can is. Some people will respond with, "Give that trash to me. I'll throw that away for you."

This sounds helpful, but often it's not. Why? Because the VCP may actually want to know WHERE the trash can is located, so that he or she can dispose of trash later on and not bother anyone.

You certainly can offer the VCP the option of allowing you to dispose of the trash, but first provide the VCP with the information he or she asked for ("Where is the trash can?"). Then offer other options.

Remember: INFORMATION FIRST, THEN OPTIONS.

 

9. DON'T GRAB THE VCP'S WRIST, WHITE CANE OR CLOTHES TO PUSH OR PULL THEM FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER!

This is not only clumsy and awkward, it's also ineffective. There is one effective way to guide a VCP: Have them take your arm and then you "lead" first. This is called the Sighted Guide Technique.

Here is a very quick lesson. The VCP places his left hand on your upper right arm just above the elbow, resting his hand in the crack of your arm (your arm should be bent at the elbow at right angle). Walk a step ahead of the VCP (the VCP walks to your side, a step behind). Please note that this technique can be used on the other side also -- VCP's right hand on the sighted guide's left arm.

If you are approaching a narrow passage, drop your arm and bring it back behind you. This will indicate to the VCP to move behind you. It is helpful to provide verbal comments on what's coming up, such as narrow hallway, doorway, stairs (mention whether they are going up or down, turning left/right), curbs, etc.)

Most VCP's are familiar with the Sighted Guide Technique. It's also very easy to teach and provides a comfortable and easy way to navigate.

NEVER grab a person's arm or wrist to "pull" them along.

NEVER get behind the VCP to push the person around.

NEVER grab a white cane or guide dog to guide a VCP.

ALWAYS provide the VCP with the option of taking your arm or not.

Many times the VCP will be grateful. Other times, the VCP may be in very familiar surroundings and not in need of assistance. Let the VCP make the choice!

 

10. DO NOT MOVE FURNITURE AND OTHER OBJECTS IN A VISUALLY CHALLENGED PERSON'S DAILY SPACE!

Because VCP's have to rely on memory so much, any moving around of objects needs to be done by them. That's the only way they will remember.

Many people think they are being helpful by "putting things back where they belong". This can often be frustrating to the VCP.

Whether the VCP is an organized person or not is irrelevant. The VCP is responsible for where he or she places things and, therefore is responsible for finding them. Do not take over this responsibility.

If something must be moved, inform the VCP that you have moved it and where it's been moved. If necessary, provide the VCP the opportunity to get reoriented with the new arrangement.