What to Do When You Meet a Person Who is BlindASSISTING A PERSON WHO IS BLINDWhen first approaching a blind person, say your name and theirs as you come near, and then touch the person. Be natural in your tone of voice.TOUCH TECHNIQUE:The touch technique uses a hollow aluminum cane with a nylon tip. The cane is measured from the sternum to the floor. This length allows the person to know what is 2 steps ahead of them. The cane swing is from one shoulder to another, plus 2 - 4 more inches.GUIDE DOG:The cane and dog do the same thing. The dog moves to one side and thus the person moves to that side. The dogs follow verbal commands, so the person has to know the route.HOW TO WALK WITH A BLIND PERSON:The blind person holds above your right elbow with their left hand. The person stands slightly behind you and to your right. Thus the person's left side is behind the guider.a. Narrow spaces:Turn in your direction whenever possible. When going through a narrow space, put your elbow behind your back and have the person straighten their arm, then the person will be directly behind you.b. Doorways:When going through a door, let the person know 6 ft. in advance. If the door opens to the left, the person has to switch hands on your elbow and then use their left hand to hold the door.c. Steps: The person is always one step behind the guider when going up and down stairs. The person should touch the edge of the step when going down and touch the bottom of the step when goingup.d. Chair:The person should hold onto the back of the chair rather than an arm, so that they will know exactly where the seat is.e. Leaving person:When you leave the person, have them hold onto something stable.f. Entering a room:When the person is entering a room, give them a reference point, possibly some sounding object(clock). They can be told where objects are in the room by using directions (north, south, etc.) orthe clock face method.What to Do When You Meet a Person Who is Blind1. When you walk with a blind person or guide them across the street, it is easier for them to take your arm. (Taking their arm and propelling them forward may confuse them.) When they take your arm, they will walk just slightly behind you and thus will be able to tell when you are coming to a stop or stepping up a curb. Blind people who go about by themselves have usually come to know the width of certain streets, so unless these is an unusual obstacle, you needn't say when the curb is approaching or how far it is, unless you are asked.2. When giving directions to a blind man, be absolutely sure of your use of right and left. They depend upon it far more than a sighted person. 3. If a blind person is using a guide dog, remember that the dog is working and must not be diverted from their important job. Petting the dog or offering them food may distract them.4. When you meet a blind person escorted by a guide, speak to the blind person directly, not through the guide. Their loss of sight has not made them unable to grasp what you are saying. And don't shout! They are blind, not deaf.5. It is not necessary to avoid the subject of blindness, though out of mere courtesy, you need not talk about it excessively. You may, however, use the word "see" as much and as often as you would with a sighted person.6. In making introductions to a blind person, you may help them by saying unobtrusively, ''To your right is Mr. Jones". These directions will allow the blind person to associate the right voice with the right person. It also helps if the sighted person who is introduced comes forward directly after you speak their name and says something to the blind person or shakestheir hand.7. In shaking hands, a blind person will generally hold out their hand for you to grasp. If they don't, don't insist upon grabbing it.8. If you take a blind person to a party, tell them quietly where things are and introduce them topeople normally. But don't force people on them or try to introduce them to everyone at once.9. When showing a blind person to a chair, merely put their hand on the arm or back of it. They'll seat themselves.10. When you enter a room where a blind person is, say something at once to let them know youare there. Identify yourself; don't play guessing games with them.11. If you live or work with a blind person, keep doors fully open or fully closed. A half-open door is a blind person's enemy. And if you rearrange any furniture tell them.12. If you go to a restaurant with a blind person, read the menu to them. You may locate food ontheir plate by the clock technique. And you may also ask them if they'd like their meat cut. But in general offer no more help than necessary.13. Always ask a blind person if they want help. Many blind people can do things easily for themselves and may resent indiscriminate help. When in doubt, a safe rule to follow is to give the blind person credit for being a normal person and to act accordingly. Common sense and tact are reliable guides.14. Finally, remember that the blind person has lost none of their individual personality through their handicap. They know they cannot see, and they have probably become used to the fact. They have no sixth sense, but they have learned to use their other senses more sharply to compensate for the loss of