<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto">Hoping everyone is having an enjoyable weekend. I was encouraged to see that my submission of the courtesy rules of blindness was published in a monthly publication at our church. Someone came up to me after mass and told me how much they enjoyed it. I would encourage any of you who belong to a place of warship or are involved with any group that might be willing to publish these rules, to pass them along. The more the public knows, the better for all of us. Here they are:<div><div class="region region-above-content" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; box-sizing: border-box;"><div id="block-nfb-pagetitle" class="block block-core block-page-title-block" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><h1 class="page-title" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; line-height: 1.1; font-size: 35px; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-weight: 500; color: inherit;"><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br></span></h1><h1 class="page-title" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; line-height: 1.1; font-size: 35px; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-weight: 500; color: inherit;"><span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Courtesy Rules of Blindness</span></h1></div></div><div class="region region-content" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; box-sizing: border-box;"><div id="block-nfb-mainpagecontent" class="block block-system block-system-main-block" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><article data-history-node-id="3836" role="article" about="/programs-services/meet-blind-month/courtesy-rules-blindness" class="node node--type-page node--view-mode-full clearfix" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="node__content clearfix" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; line-height: 1.8; padding: 0px;">I am a blind person. Please say hello and get to know me! I want people to feel comfortable around me. Here are some simple tips.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; line-height: 1.8; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 36px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(1, 137, 62);">C</span></span>ane – My cane (or guide dog) is my independent travel aid. If you think I might need help, please just ask me.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; line-height: 1.8; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 36px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(1, 137, 62);">O</span></span>rdinary – Blind people are ordinary. It feels awkward if you think I am amazing when I accomplish ordinary tasks like walking or tying my shoes. I also like ordinary things and have ordinary hobbies. It is okay to be amazed if I do something really exceptional.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; line-height: 1.8; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 36px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(1, 137, 62);">U</span></span>nderstand – I may not recognize your voice if I don’t know you well. Please say, “Hi, it is Sue.”</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; line-height: 1.8; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 36px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(1, 137, 62);">R</span></span>emember – I may have some sight, but use nonvisual techniques and tools like a cane because it works best for me. Sometimes people think I am “faking” because I see a little, but I am just picking techniques that are most efficient and safe in light of my vision.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; line-height: 1.8; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 36px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(1, 137, 62);">T</span></span>alk – Please talk to me rather than a companion, and there is no need to speak up so just use your normal speaking voice and talk with me like you would with other people.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; line-height: 1.8; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 36px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(1, 137, 62);">E</span></span>xperience – I probably have years of experience using nonvisual techniques to live my life. Feel free to ask me how I do something, or how best you can assist me, if help is needed.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; line-height: 1.8; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 36px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(1, 137, 62);">S</span></span>ee – It’s ok to still use words such as see and look. I will talk with you like everyone else, although I may not be able to make direct eye contact.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; line-height: 1.8; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 36px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(1, 137, 62);">Y</span></span>ield – In all 50 states, the law requires drivers to yield the right of way when they see my extended white cane or guide dog. Only the blind may legally carry white canes. I listen to traffic patterns to know when to cross streets and to keep a straight line when moving around.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 20px; line-height: 1.8; padding: 0px;">Thanks for reading about me. I look forward to getting to know you! For more information about the courtesy rules of blindness, gifts, bequests, programs for the blind, or other matters concerning blindness or the blind, contact the local chapter in your area or contact <a href="mailto:nfb@nfb.org" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0, 90, 163); text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out, background-color 0.2s ease-in-out, border-color 0.2s ease-in-out;">nfb@nfb.org</a> or 410-659-9314. </p><p></p></div></div></article></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><br><div dir="ltr"><br><div>Deborah J. Reed</div><div>Central Chapter President</div><div>NFB of CT</div><div>Deb.reed57@gmail.com</div><div>860-378-5370</div><div>“Live the life you want, blindness is not what holds you back.” National Federation Of The Blind </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div></body></html>