How to help someone who is blind or has low vision
Introduction • You might have a friend, family member or colleague who’s blind or has low vision. • Or you might pass by a blind or low vision person in the street who seems to need assistance. • If you are with someone who is deafblind, you might want to know how to help and communicate with them.
Getting Started • Speak naturally – unless they have a known hearing loss there is no need to change your voice. • Don’t be afraid to use words like see, look and watch. People who are blind or have low vision use them too. • Most people who have low vision have some functional vision. This can fluctuate during the day and with different lighting conditions so do not assume what they can or cannot see. If you want to know how much they can see, ask them: “Can you see alright, or would you like me to help you?”
Meetings and Social Occasions • If a person is accompanied and you have a question or comment for the person who is blind or has low vision, address them directly, not the person they are with. • If you are need to touch or guide someone, let them know what you are doing before you do it. Say: “I’m just going place my hand under yours to assist you to locate your cup”. • When guiding let the person take your arm, do not push or pull. Initiate contact by lightly touching their arm or hand and explain where you are going. • Do not leave a person in space – ensure they have a reference point such as a seat or a wall.
Obstacles and items • Verbally let the person know of any obstacle or notable information such as stairs and doors. • Give clear instructions and directions, such as the cup of tea is on your right, avoid “here” or “there”. • Advise the person if you leave an item for them i.e. if you bring their meal to their room describe what you have brought and place it where they can safely and easily access it. • Never leave items lying around e.g. keep passages and walkways clear, close cupboards and leave doors fully open or closed. • Always put items back where you found them.
Lighting and Colour • Make the best use of available lighting – lighting requirements are individualised – ask the person what is most useful. • In general keep lighting even throughout the facility and manage glare. • Contrasting colours can help, e.g. put a light coloured plate on a dark placemat.
Guide Dogs • Do not interact with guide dogs whether they are working or not. • Seek the permission of the handler if the dog is not currently working. • Distracting a guide dog while it is working can be dangerous. • Check out our Guide Dogs section to find out more.
Conclusion • Visual impairment can limit people's ability to perform everyday tasks and can affect their quality of life and ability to interact with the surrounding world. • Give a new hope to blind children by donating the Schools for blind in Bangalore at Rakum.