[nfb-talk] FW: B-F How to interact with a person who is blind or visually impaired

Eric Calhoun eric at pmpmail.com
Mon Nov 19 12:05:09 CST 2007 


Original Message: 
From: "captaingerry_2000" <captain_lighthouse at yahoo.com>
To: blind-friends at yahoogroups.com
Subject: B-F How to interact with a person who is blind or visually impaired
Date: 
Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:29:29 -0000


   How to Interact with a Person Who is Blind or Visually Impaired

If you meet someone who is blind or visually impaired and you're not 
sure what to do or say, this information is for you. It is intended 
as a guide for anyone who wants to help or simply to talk 
 but does 
not know where to begin. If you remember that most blind people are 
different only in regard to their vision, you'll be off to a good 
start.

Blindness does not affect hearing or intelligence. It does not change 
character or personality, and it does not bestow special qualities or 
powers. It affects vision in people we know as friends, neighbors, 
and family.

So what do you do when you meet a blind person? Here are some hints 
we think will help:

Be yourself, relax, and speak directly to a blind person in a normal 
tone of voice. Don't be afraid to approach him, and if you can't 
decide if he needs help, simply ask
 it's the natural thing to do. 
But don't underestimate his ability or force help upon him. He'll let 
you know what he needs.

Until a blind person knows your voice, identify yourself when you 
meet, along with anyone else who enters the conversation. When you 
leave, say so. Everything in between is just normal talk. Feel free 
to use words like "look" and "see," but avoid pointing and other 
visual language ("the book is over there," for example).

Do not pet or talk to guide dogs while they are working (in harness). 
It can be distracting. Also, don't pull on a blind person's travel 
cane. If she requests travel assistance, let her take your arm, just 
above the elbow, and follow your body movements.

If you come to a door, mention how it opens (in or out, left or 
right). Indicate the direction of stairs (up or down), and if they 
are wide or narrow. As you can see, a lot of this is well-applied 
common sense.

When showing a blind person to a chair, place her hand on the back of 
the chair. She'll do the rest. When dining out, offer to read the 
menu, including the prices. Describe the location of the food by 
using clock numbers as reference points (fish at 12 o'clock, potatoes 
at 3 o'clock, and so on). Ask if she needs assistance with her food.

Feel free to talk about visual entertainment, such as sports, 
television, and movies. Blind people have the same interests as 
sighted people. If you include them, everyone will have a better time.

Don't move personal items or rearrange furniture. A blind person does 
not see changes in his surroundings, and the result can be injury. 
Doors should be fully opened or fully closed. That goes for cabinet 
and closet doors as well.

Lighting may be the most important factor in adapting the living 
space for people with low vision, and most changes are usually 
inexpensive. Keep lighting as uniform as possible from room to room 
to avoid shadows and changing light levels. Lower wattage bulbs, 3-
way bulbs, and dimmer switches are often helpful.

Use contrasting colors to assist people who are partially sighted. 
With a light tablecloth, for example, use dark plates to maximize 
contrast. In the bathroom, try dark soap on a white sink or tub. Use 
bright red or yellow tape on steps and door frames. You get the idea


Glare and poor lighting blur edges. Shiny surfaces such as linoleum 
and glossy paints add to the problem of glare. Go for matte paints 
and non-shiny surfaces. You might want brighter walls for extra 
light, and a runner down the hallway for improved contrast.

On steps and stairways, lighting is critical. Eliminate glares and 
shadows. Keep top and bottom areas well-lighted (most falls occur on 
the top step). Brightly colored tape can be used to highlight edges, 
with a contrasting color for the landings.

Mark stoves and other appliances with bright, tactual markings 
(available for less than a dollar at most arts and craft stores, 
under the name Polymarks). On your appliance, put one drop on the 
stationary setting above the dial, then put a drop on each desired 
setting on the dial itself. Simply align tactual marks to get the 
correct appliance setting.


As you can see, it's easy. When you meet someone who is blind or 
visually impaired, be yourself, use common sense, and just let the 
rest happen.

If you have any questions or know someone who needs assistance, 
please call ASB's Intake Department at (215) 627-0600. We'll  


-------------- next part --------------
How to Interact with a Person Who is Blind or Visually Impaired
If you meet someone who is blind or visually impaired and you're not
sure what to do or say, this information is for you. It is intended
as a guide for anyone who wants to help or simply to talk 
 but does
not know where to begin. If you remember that most blind people are
different only in regard to their vision, you'll be off to a good
start.
Blindness does not affect hearing or intelligence. It does not change
character or personality, and it does not bestow special qualities or
powers. It affects vision in people we know as friends, neighbors,
and family.
So what do you do when you meet a blind person? Here are some hints
we think will help:
Be yourself, relax, and speak directly to a blind person in a normal
tone of voice. Don't be afraid to approach him, and if you can't
decide if he needs help, simply ask
 it's the natural thing to do.
But don't underestimate his ability or force help upon him. He'll let
you know what he needs.
Until a blind person knows your voice, identify yourself when you
meet, along with anyone else who enters the conversation. When you
leave, say so. Everything in between is just normal talk. Feel free
to use words like "look" and "see," but avoid pointing and other
visual language ("the book is over there," for example).
Do not pet or talk to guide dogs while they are working (in harness).
It can be distracting. Also, don't pull on a blind person's travel
cane. If she requests travel assistance, let her take your arm, just
above the elbow, and follow your body movements.
If you come to a door, mention how it opens (in or out, left or
right). Indicate the direction of stairs (up or down), and if they
are wide or narrow. As you can see, a lot of this is well-applied
common sense.
When showing a blind person to a chair, place her hand on the back of
the chair. She'll do the rest. When dining out, offer to read the
menu, including the prices. Describe the location of the food by
using clock numbers as reference points (fish at 12 o'clock, potatoes
at 3 o'clock, and so on). Ask if she needs assistance with her food.
Feel free to talk about visual entertainment, such as sports,
television, and movies. Blind people have the same interests as
sighted people. If you include them, everyone will have a better time.
Don't move personal items or rearrange furniture. A blind person does
not see changes in his surroundings, and the result can be injury.
Doors should be fully opened or fully closed. That goes for cabinet
and closet doors as well.
Lighting may be the most important factor in adapting the living
space for people with low vision, and most changes are usually
inexpensive. Keep lighting as uniform as possible from room to room
to avoid shadows and changing light levels. Lower wattage bulbs, 3-
way bulbs, and dimmer switches are often helpful.
Use contrasting colors to assist people who are partially sighted.
With a light tablecloth, for example, use dark plates to maximize
contrast. In the bathroom, try dark soap on a white sink or tub. Use
bright red or yellow tape on steps and door frames. You get the idea

Glare and poor lighting blur edges. Shiny surfaces such as linoleum
and glossy paints add to the problem of glare. Go for matte paints
and non-shiny surfaces. You might want brighter walls for extra
light, and a runner down the hallway for improved contrast.
On steps and stairways, lighting is critical. Eliminate glares and
shadows. Keep top and bottom areas well-lighted (most falls occur on
the top step). Brightly colored tape can be used to highlight edges,
with a contrasting color for the landings.
Mark stoves and other appliances with bright, tactual markings
(available for less than a dollar at most arts and craft stores,
under the name Polymarks). On your appliance, put one drop on the
stationary setting above the dial, then put a drop on each desired
setting on the dial itself. Simply align tactual marks to get the
correct appliance setting.
As you can see, it's easy. When you meet someone who is blind or
visually impaired, be yourself, use common sense, and just let the
rest happen.
If you have any questions or know someone who needs assistance,
please call ASB's Intake Department at (215) 627-0600. We'll
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