How to Interact With a Blind Person

Blind people move through society and live happy lives. You'll find that blind people, after minimum accommodation, fit into the world around us with few problems.

Things You'll Need

• Braille Devices
• Computer Screen Magnifier
• Computer Screen Reader
• Talking Calculators
• Talking Keyboard
• Talking Clocks
• Talking Watches
• Mouse Emulators
• Braille Software
• Magnification Software
• Speech Recognition Software

Instructions

1. Relax and smile. There's no reason to be nervous.

2. Address a blind person directly.

3. Remember there's no need to raise your voice.

4. Identify yourself.

5. Include a blind person in any ongoing conversation.

6. Allow a blind person to handle a child's natural curiosity in his or her own way.

7. Ask before assuming a blind person needs help.

8. Ask if a blind person would like a description of surroundings if you're together in a space unfamiliar to the blind person.

9. Remember that a blind person is not visually distracted. Pay attention to your conversation and inform him or her directly if something occurs to distract you.

10. Watch a blind person's reactions. If you sense confusion, a discreet offer to help might be welcome.

11. Respect a blind person's cane. Leave it alone and within the person's reach; it is vital to security and the ability to move.

12. Remember a guide dog is not a pet. While the guide dog accompanies the blind person, you should allow it to devote its attention to that person.

13. Tell a blind person you are departing when you leave his or her presence.

Tips & Warnings

• "See you later," "I've never seen anything like it," and other phrases are common colloquialisms used by everyone, including blind people. Don't be embarrassed or self-conscious about using similar word pictures.

• Allow a blind person to make his or her own choices. Help only to communicate alternatives.

• Few of us like others prying into our personal affairs. Let a blind person initiate any discussion of blindness in general or of his or her blindness, in particular.

• A blind person's life is "normal" to that person. Like the rest of us, blind people prefer understanding to pity.

• When helping a blind person, let the blind person set the agenda. It's not proper to grab a blind person and manhandle him or her in order to help.