A Walk with the Blind

Protocols for Interacting with the Blind and Visually Impaired

By Larry C. Colbert, All Rights Reserved

Overview:

"This Walk with the Blind program will explore correct procedures and methods for interacting with blind or visually impaired people. Adaptive tools and technologies used to enhance lifestyle as well as mobility travel options will also be discussed."

Introduction:

Nearly all people today are familiar with Helen Keller’s dramatic and heroic struggle to live an independent life. Yet, how often does the average person have contact with someone who is blind or visually impaired? When you/they do, how do you react? Interact? Ignore? Assist? Marvel at their ability to move through their environment?

What can you do to put yourself and the blind individual at ease? Well, this is our purpose here. It is not to attempt to answer all your questions. Rather, to take you on a walk through the daily life of someone who is blind. Along the way you’ll learn what to do and not do techniques and technologies used in daily living, as well as the mobility options available to visually impaired travelers.

How many times have you heard the correct or proper method for interacting with a blind or visually impaired person? Probably never if at all. In fact, the average individual rarely has any contact with someone who is blind. Therefore, you will be exposed to common courtesy rules governing your interactions with these individuals.

How does someone who cannot see a computer monitor use this most valuable technological tool of this century? Techniques of daily living such as setting the alarm clock, cooking on the grill, and the simple task of matching your wardrobe are tasks most of us take for granted. Yet, how would you perform these simple jobs without your eyesight? You’ll learn about specialized tools, adaptive electronic equipment, and techniques used to live a full and productive life.

How would you get to the grocery store, the bank, or hair stylists if you were blind? Many of us are familiar with dogs guiding blind people. However, this is only one of several mobility options used by visually impaired and blind people. You will be exposed to sighted guide, white mobility canes, and guide dogs.

Protocol – interacting with blind or visually impaired people

When you meet or come in contact with an individual who is blind or visually impaired, relax and be at ease. It will help all if you remember and follow some simple points of courtesy.

First, people with vision difficulties are ordinary people, just blind. It isn’t necessary to raise your voice or address them in a child like manner. Don't ask their spouse or companion what they may want… "Cream in the coffee?". Speak directly to the individual – just as you would anyone else in a similar situation.

Many blind people have excellent voice recognition. However, just as a sighted person may remember a face, yet forget a name; the same can occur with voices. Always introduce yourself by name… "Hi Mary! It’s Fred!” This simple courtesy will avoid embarrassment for both parties.

On a similar note, it’s nice to know who's in the room with you. Please speak when you enter and exit. It’s helpful if others with you are introduced. Additional information is also beneficial such as knowing if there are children, dogs, or cats in the room.

If you have someone visually impaired as a houseguest, it is important to orient them to their surroundings. Point out important necessities such as emergency exits, the bathroom, closet, temperature control, etc. Mealtime is no challenge. After guiding their hand to a chair, simple orientation to the table is all that is necessary. Blind individuals have developed and learn techniques and skills, which enable them to enjoy dining just as you do.

For sure, accidents happen to us all. Yet, with a few common sense habits Most can be avoided. The door to a room, cabinet, or to a car left partially open is a serious hazard. Substantial injuries will be avoided if you close these after use or alert your sight impaired friends if they’re open. It is most handy when you announce if an Entry/Exit door is being held open. This avoids confusion and embarrassment for all.

Tools & Technology – Enhancing quality of life

Many of the chores and routine tasks associated with daily living can be frustrating to blind or visually impaired individuals. Thankfully, specialized tools, equipment, and devices have been developed to help alleviate this frustration and enhance the quality of life with increased independence. Local agencies, rehabilitation centers, and libraries are excellent sources for more information. However, one of our best resources is the internet. Online catalogues provide details about each item in stock while explaining it’s function.

Special pots, tongs, spatulas, and timers make preparing meals much easier. Braille tags, magnetic tape, raised markers, and self-threading needles provide methods for labeling clothing, food items, microwave, oven, or the washer/dryer. Electronics have opened up a new world of independence for visually impaired people living alone. Talking devices like clocks, thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, and computers have brought blind people into the 21st Century.

In fact, computers with screen reading software have opened new areas of employment never considered viable for workers with vision difficulty. Scanners convert printed text into voice output or Braille on a refreshable display. Documents can be printed in text or Braille, or transmitted electronically for co-workers. Surfing the net, reading and writing email, as well as managing personal and business finances are now nearly as easy for the blind as it is for the sighted. To be sure, there are many challenges. Yet, progressive minded technicians are moving forward with improvements at a rapid rate.

So, you’re a woodworker, machinist, or hobbyist unable to use conventional tools. Well, micrometers, levels, and tape measures are available which emit electronic tones or have tactile markings. With specialized training, workers who are blind operate equipment like table saws, stamping machines, and manufacturing tools. Unfortunately, not enough of these individuals are working in main stream jobs usually due to unfounded fears over safety issues.

Mobility – Moving THROUGH YOUR environment safely

There are three (3) basic mobility options available to blind or visually impaired travelers - sighted guide, white mobility cane, or a guide dog. Combinations of the last two are Also commonly used in specific situations. A person using a mobility cane or guide dog wants to be treated the same as anyone else. Assume he or she is independent. If the person is in need of assistance, they will ask for help. You will never go wrong by asking!

Sighted guide technique is not difficult to learn. Many couples or married people with a blind partner often use this approach when out together. If you are walking with someone visually impaired, don't grab their arm. Allow them to take yours grasping gently at your elbow. In this manner, they will keep a half step behind you.

As your body moves information about the travel environment will be communicated. Following along with you in this manner, curbs and steps can be easily negotiated. It is very helpful if you alert your traveling companion to these changes. One drawback to this method is dependency on a sighted assistant.
However, with a little practice this can be a safe and effective travel option when incorporated with either a cane or dog.

The use of a mobility cane is the first major step to travel independence for a blind person. In all 50 states, the law requires drivers to yield the right of way to a pedestrian using a extended white mobility cane. This does not guarantee motorist will yield. Therefore, specialized training is essential to insure safe travel.

Orientation and Mobility Specialists teach techniques for proper use of a white mobility cane. This occupation requires a Masters degree from a university.
Governmental agencies, rehabilitation centers, schools for the blind, and some public school systems offer this training. Contact your local state or provincial agency for further information.

Individuals using proper technique hold the cane in the center of their body about waist high tapping in cadence from left to right as they walk. With this method, the cane clears the path of Travel about 2 paces ahead. As the cane traveler arcs the tool from left to right, their body width is insured of clearing any obstacles. One major disadvantage of a mobility cane is its inability to clear for overhead obstructions such as low hanging trees or branches.

Along with the manipulation of the mobility tool, visually impaired pedestrians are taught to use their other senses, i.e. smell, sound, and touch. Utilizing all available sensory input, the traveler has a greater opportunity for proper orientation to their environment. Attention to travel surfaces such as gravel, concrete, tile, or carpet provides cues essential for independent mobility. Successful completion of an orientation and mobility course is highly recommended prior to training with a guide dog. In fact, it is a prerequisite at all major guide dog programs.

For many people a guide dog brings a great sense of independence. Hundreds of people who are blind and visually impaired are trained with well-disciplined and dedicated dogs as guides each year. It is important that all people know something about the way a guide dog team works and how to act when encountering one of these guides.

It’s not our purpose here to go into great detail about the training for either the dog or the blind handler. This information is available directly from the training centers or via their websites. Rather you will learn what to do and not to do when you encounter a highly trained guide dog team. In some cases the methods are similar to those used when interacting with any visually impaired individual.

Never rush up and startle a person who is blind by grabbing their arm. Simply ask, "May I help you?" If a person who is using a dog appears to be in need of some assistance - approach him or her on their right side. The guide dog will usually be on the left. Do not touch or take the person by the arm without first asking, if you can assist them. Under no circumstances, should a person take hold of the guide dog or the harness, this will confuse the dog and startle the individual.

If assistance is accepted, offer your left elbow by brushing it against their arm as explained in the sighted guide technique.

This is generally the most accepted method to assist visually impaired and blind travelers. After grasping your left elbow, the handler will drop the harness handle as a signal to the dog that they are "off-duty" temporarily.

In some instances, the person may choose not to make use of the sighted guide system. Instead, they may instruct the dog to "Follow" you. (Since experience with this command varies, so does the quality of the team’s performance.) If this is the case, walk ahead of them at a normal speed letting the person know when they are approaching turns, doorways, stairs, and drop-offs. If the person is seeking assistance for a street crossing, walk with them completely across the street and up on the opposite curb. The dog guide will again resume its duties once on the sidewalk.

When traveling in unfamiliar environments a person who is blind or visually impaired may seek directions just as someone who has sight. This may seem overly simple, but speak directly to the person and not the dog. You may want to ask if they wish to make use of compass directions or directional turns. Example: "go north two blocks then east" or "turn left and go two blocks then turn right". Each person will have their own way of interpreting directions and will usually ask for the directions in the format they prefer.

The most common mistake many people make is touching, calling, clicking, or whistling to a working dog. Absolutely Do not pet or distract a dog guide when it is in harness or when working. For those of us who are dog lovers, there is a natural impulse to pet a dog. We must resist the temptation. The dogs are friendly animals that like to be petted and allowed to romp and play, but the owner should always be consulted first. Ask the owner's permission before touching a working dog or even making eye contact. Eye contact can distract the dog too, so always interact with the handler and not the dog.

Dog guides and other working animals are on special diets. Never offer food to a dog guide. The owner looks after the diet of their four legged partner very carefully. The animal is well fed and does his job most efficiently when a recommended diet is followed. Treats should only come from the handler.

Summary

Remember people with vision impairments are people just like you. They don’t want pity or condescending treatment. Their sense of smell, touch, or hearing did not improve when they lost their vision. They simply rely on them more and may get more information through those senses than you do.

The development of specialized tools and devices has opened up a new world of independent living for people with vision difficulty. Simple jobs and ordinary task no longer require a sighted assistant. Electronic devices and computers have broadened employment opportunities and enhanced quality of life for many blind individuals.

You see more blind persons today walking alone with their new found independence. These people enjoy increased mobility with their white cane or enhanced independence because of their dog guide. It is important for you to know the correct procedure to offer assistance while not interfering with their independence.

Finally, remember that while some one who is blind or visually impaired appreciates attention the way we all do, he or she wants their friends, and others, to act natural with them and not overly solicitous. Most will discuss blindness with you if you're curious, but it's an old story to them. They have as many other interests as you do.

Don't think of them as just blind people. Rather, they are people who happen to be blind!