How To Treat A Blind Person

A headline of an article published in the Syracuse Journal on 17 November 1916 said, "Work Instead of Sympathy Needed By Blind People." This statement, over a century old, resonates just as loudly today as it did back then. We who are blind (whether legally or completely) seek to participate fully in life, just like everyone else, through work, engagement, and independence rather than mere sympathy. This article you are reading now delves into how you can foster that inclusion by treating those who are blind with the same respect, opportunities, and normalcy as we do with the sighted.

1. Equality in Interaction

Respect: Just as with any other person, respect is foundational. We blind individuals deserve the same dignity, kindness, and consideration, regardless of whether they "look" blind to you.
Communication: When interacting, speak directly to us. Introduce yourself when entering a room, and use our names during conversation to help us follow who is speaking. I don't know that you are talking to me if you don't tell me first.
Engagement: Involve us in all activities naturally. Whether discussing current events, planning an outing, or deciding on a movie to watch, our input is just as valuable. The only one who can tell you if they can handle it is the blind person herself.

2. Offering Assistance

Ask First: When you encounter someone blind, whether or not they are with a guide dog, your first instinct might be to help. While this intention comes from a good place, here's why asking first is not just courteous but essential:
Autonomy: Everyone, regardless of their abilities, values their independence. Those of us who are blind often have sophisticated methods to navigate in the world. By asking first, you respect our autonomy.
Specific Needs: Not all blind people need or want the same type of assistance. Some of us use a cane, others a guide dog, and our needs can vary greatly depending on our level of vision, the environment, or the task at hand.
Yes, you read that right. Blindness is not "you can see everything, or nothing at all." It is a spectrum. Despite significant vision loss in other areas, someone with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) can have 20/20 acuity within their “tunnel” of vision, and someone with macular degeneration can have 20/20 in their periphery.

Guide Dog Consideration
Partnership: My guide dog and I are a working team. He is trained to assist in specific ways, and unsolicited interference can disrupt our partnership.
Distraction: Touching or calling to my dog without permission can distract him from his duties, which could be dangerous for me, especially in traffic or crowded areas.
Protocol: If assistance is needed, it's usually I who will direct the dog or accept your help. Let me guide the interaction.
How to Ask for Permission
Simple and Direct: A simple, "May I assist you?" or "Do you need any help?" is straightforward and shows respect.
Be Specific: If you see a specific situation where you think you might help, you can be more specific, like "Can I help you find the entrance?" or "Would you like me to read the menu to you?"

How to Assist

Once permission is granted, here’s how you can assist effectively:

Offer Your Elbow: This method allows me to follow your movements naturally. I can hold onto your elbow or arm, which gives me a sense of direction without pulling or pushing me.
Technique: Stand slightly ahead and to the side, offer your elbow, and walk at a normal pace, informing me of any changes in direction, steps, or obstacles.
Describe Surroundings: If I need guidance or information about the environment: Verbal Cues: Mention landmarks, turns, or hazards like steps or low-hanging branches. Say things like, "We're approaching a curb," or "The door is to your right."
Explain Assistance: If you're going to perform a task for me, like reading or navigating, explain what you’re doing. For example, "I’m going to guide you to the door, which is about 10 steps ahead," or "I'll read out the menu options for you."

Respecting the Response

Accept No: If I decline, accept it gracefully without insistence. Offering help is kind, but respecting my decision is even kinder.
Follow My Lead: If I accept your offer, let me lead on how I want to be assisted. I might only need verbal directions or could ask you to physically guide me.

Practical Example

Imagine you see someone who is blind with a guide dog trying to cross a busy street. Instead of grabbing the person or the dog's harness, you would:

Step 1: Approach calmly and say, "Excuse me, would you like some assistance crossing the street?"
Step 2: If they say yes, ask, "How can I best assist you?" or wait for their instructions.
Step 3: If they have specific instructions, follow them. If not, you might offer your arm for them to hold, describe the traffic, or assist in navigating the crossing safely.

By asking first, you're not only showing respect but also ensuring that any assistance you provide is genuinely helpful and tailored to our needs. This approach fosters a community of respect, understanding, and genuine support.

3. Communication Techniques

Directional Language: Use precise language for directions (e.g., "The door is on your left at about two o'clock").
Avoid Overcompensating: Use common phrases like "see you later" naturally; most blind individuals understand these expressions.

4. Navigating Environments

Describe Changes: Inform about changes in the environment, obstacles, or upcoming steps.
Keep Paths Clear: Ensure common paths are free from clutter.

5. Social Inclusion

Invitations: Paratransit services are not always available or reliable, and sometimes Rideshare like Uber and Lyft aren't either. Please invite us to events, dinners, or outings as you would anyone else. And be prepared to drive us. Despite ongoing lawsuits, rideshare drivers are still notorious for turning away guide dogs and their handlers.
Activities: Suggest activities that can be adapted or that we might enjoy, ensuring we know they're included.

6. Language and Terminology

Person-First Language: That's too much for me. I prefer "she's blind" or "I'm blind," but others prefer terms like "person who is blind," so ask what is preferred.
Avoid Negative Connotations: Phrases like "I'm blind without my glasses" can belittle the condition. Also, no matter how much residual (remaining) eyesight a person might have, or how much they can still do, do not say things to them like, "You're not blind," especially if you are not their eye doctor.

7. Technology and Independence

Acknowledge Adaptations: Recognize that many of us use assistive technologies for various tasks, promoting our independence.

8. Conclusion

Treating those of us who are blind with the same equity, respect, and consideration as sighted individuals is not just about politeness; it's about fostering an inclusive society where everyone can participate fully. Here are the key takeaways:
Equity and Respect: Each of us, regardless of our visual abilities, deserves to be treated with dignity. This means respecting our independence, asking before offering help, and providing assistance in a manner that we find most useful.
Understanding and Sensitivity: By understanding the techniques and technologies that individuals we use, you can better interact with us in ways that enhance our autonomy rather than diminish it.

Inclusion: Inclusion goes beyond personal interactions. It involves advocating for accessible environments, supporting policies that benefit the visually impaired, and celebrating diversity in abilities.

Continuous Learning: The world of visual impairments is broad, with many nuances depending on individual experiences and conditions. I encourage you to Educate yourself: Seek out resources, listen to personal stories, and understand more about how visual impairments affect daily life.

Engage: Participate in community events, support organizations that advocate for the rights of the visually impaired, and perhaps volunteer with programs that assist or include people with visual disabilities.
Remember, every small act of respect, understanding, and inclusion contributes to a larger culture of acceptance and equality. By promoting these values, you not only help individuals who are blind but also enrich our own lives through a deeper appreciation of human diversity. Please commit to making our communities more accessible, supportive, and welcoming to everyone, regardless of their ability to see.

I invite you, my readers, to reflect on how these guidelines resonate with you and to decide on areas where we might all improve our approach towards inclusion and accessibility.

Additional Resources

American Foundation for the Blind (AFB):
Website: afb.org
Offers resources like the "Etiquette for Dealing with People who are Blind" guide, which covers interaction tips, communication techniques, and more.

Blind Institute of Technology (BIT):
Website: www.blindinstituteoftechnology.org
Although primarily focused on technology, BIT provides insights into how technology can aid in accessibility, which can be relevant for etiquette in digital interactions.

National Federation of the Blind (NFB):
Website: nfb.org
The NFB has resources on living with blindness, including etiquette guides for both sighted individuals interacting with the blind community and for blind individuals navigating social settings.

Freedom Guide Dogs:
Website: www.freedomguidedogs.org
Freedom is a non-profit organization in Upstate NY that breeds, raises, trains and places guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired through Hometown Training. Meaning, unlike a lot of other guide dog organizations, Freedom's trainers come to the hometowns of their blind and visually impaired clients, instead of training them with their dogs where they don't live.

These resources foster environments where the blind and visually impaired can participate fully and comfortably in all aspects of life, reflecting a commitment to understanding and inclusivity.

About the Author

Chellé is deeply committed to advocating for the visually impaired, drawing from personal experience as someone who is legally blind. With a passion for enhancing awareness and understanding, she shares insights from living with visual impairment, aiming to foster a community of inclusivity and respect. Through articles, social media, and community engagement, Chellé seeks to educate on the capabilities and needs of those with blindness, promoting a society where visual impairments are not barriers but simply different ways of navigating life.
For more about Chellé's journey or to get involved in advocacy efforts, you can check her out on X @RostykusWrites, where she continues to share her experiences and insights.