What can you do to put yourself and a blind individual at ease? Let me 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 person rarely has any contact with someone who is blind. Here you will find some common courtesy rules governing your interactions with these individuals.
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? Most people 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 dog guides.
Protocol – interacting with blind or visually impaired people
When you meet or come in contact with a individual who is blind or visually impaired, don’t be ill 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 him or her 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 their 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 hobbiest 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 dog guide. Combinations of the last two are Also commonly used in specific situations. A person using a mobility cane or dog guide 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.