[Nfbf-l] I wish I could read this to all Sighted People!

[Alan Dicey]

Dear Friends,
I wish I could read this to every Sighted Person in the country, and send it 
to all the Blind People I know, and ask them to share it with both Sighted 
and Blind or Visually Impaired people, so they also could pass it along.
Well, I just did pass it to you, and hope you send it to as many as you can 
also.
With Best Regards,
God Bless,
Alan
Plantation, Florida

The following points of etiquette are helpful to keep in mind when 
interacting with a person who is blind or visually impaired.

  *Sizing Up the Situation:
Be aware that blindness/vision impairment runs the gamut from the Total 
inability to see to vision that is quite functional in many Situations. A 
large majority, about 80 % of the "legally blind" population, have some 
vision. You cannot easily determine how much or what an individual can see. 
Not every person with a white cane is totally blind, but may be using the 
cane to supplement low vision. A totally blind person will probably Swing 
and tap a white cane with each step. A person with low vision may carry the 
cane folded or unfolded and use it only for specific situations such as 
detecting curbs and steps.
Similarly, a person's apparent ability to navigate visually doesn't 
necessarily mean that he/she can recognize faces or determine in which 
direction or at which object you are pointing.
Finally, even the use of a guide dog does not indicate that the person is 
totally blind.

  *Making Contact:
Identify yourself. Don't play guessing games, such as "Do you know who I 
am?" Introduce yourself using your name and/or position, especially if you 
are wearing a name badge containing this information, or if you are a 
uniformed police officer or fire fighter.

Speak directly to a person who is blind or visually impaired, not through a 
companion, guide, or other individual. Speak using a natural conversational 
tone and speed. It is not necessary or helpful to speak loudly and slowly 
unless the person also has a hearing impairment. Address a person who is 
blind or visually Impaired by name when possible. This is especially 
important in crowded areas. A light touch on the person's arm may also be 
used to indicate whom you are addressing.

Immediately greet persons who are blind or visually impaired when they enter 
a room or a service area. This allows you to let them know you are present 
and ready to assist, and it eliminates uncomfortable silences. When offering 
assistance, simply ask, "May I be of help?"
When you have been in conversation with a person who is blind or visually 
impaired, indicate your departure from the room or the area to avoid the 
embarrassment of leaving a person speaking when no one is actually there.

A guide dog is a working dog, a mobility tool, not a pet. Do not pet, feed, 
or distract a guide dog while it is working. The handler's life depends on 
the dog's alertness.

  *Making Conversation:
Feel free to use words that refer to vision during the course of 
conversations with persons who are blind or visually impaired.
Vision-oriented words such as look, see, and watching TV are a part of 
everyday verbal communication. The words blind and visually impaired are 
also acceptable in conversation. Feel free to use visually descriptive 
language. Making reference to
Colors, patterns, designs, and shapes is perfectly acceptable.

The use of "People First" language is preferred by many people with 
disabilities. Thus speak about a person with a disability by first referring 
to the person and then to the disability, e.g., "persons who are blind" 
rather than "blind persons."

Be precise and thorough when you describe people, places, or things to 
persons who are blind. Don't leave things out or change a description 
because you think it is unimportant or unpleasant.

When giving directions, don't point to or describe landmarks.
Use terms such as left, right, front and back. Be specific about the number 
of blocks or streets: don't assume the person can read street signs or 
building numbers.

  *Offering Guidance:
Offer to guide a person who is blind or visually impaired by asking if 
he/she would like assistance. Offer your arm. It is not always necessary to 
provide guidance; in some instances it can be disorienting and disruptive.
Respect the desires of the person. The most important rule of courtesy is to 
respect the person's privacy and independence.
Guide persons who request assistance by allowing them to take your arm just 
above the elbow. Walk ahead of the person you are guiding. Pause at the edge 
of a curb or stairs before proceeding. Never grab a person who is blind or 
visually impaired by the arm or cane and push him / her forward.

Do not leave a person who is blind or visually impaired standing in "free 
space" when you serve as a guide. Always be sure that the person you guide 
has a firm grasp on your arm, or is in contact with a chair or a wall if you 
have to be separated momentarily.

Show a person who is blind to a chair by putting the person's hand on the 
back of the chair.

Be calm and clear about what to do if you see a person who is blind or 
visually impaired about to encounter a dangerous situation. In such cases 
courtesy becomes less important than safety. A specific instruction such as 
"Stop!" is more helpful than "Look out!"

And speaking of safety, there are rules that should be followed in all 
instances, though they take on more importance where people with vision 
impairments are concerned. At home, school, or work never leave a door ajar. 
Keep corridors and stairs clear of clutter.

  *Restaurants etc.:

Offer to read the menu including the price of each item. It works well to 
read the categories first and then read a category in more detail on 
request. As food is served ask a person who is blind or visually impaired if 
he/she would like to be told the position of the food on the plate. If 
he/she wants you to cut the food or serve it from a casserole, he/she will 
request that help. It is never bad form to offer, however. In a buffet 
situation, some people will prefer that you bring food to the table while 
others will want to accompany you to the buffet line and make choices as you 
go along.

When making change in bills of more than one denomination, hand the bills 
separated by denomination,e.g., present and identify the ten dollar bills, 
then the fives, then the ones. This is not necessary with coins; they can be 
distinguished by touch.


Reprinted in part from factsheet "Sensitivity to People who are
Visually Impaired," published on www.afb.org
(RDP 07-03)