Frequently asked questions about visual impairment
Picture of a woman with a white cane and guide dog waking next to a man
Why can’t I play with that dog?
But to a blind person, the world is a lot less friendly. Walk down a sidewalk with your eyes closed. There are people to scurry around, bicycles to avoid. And what do you do when you reach the corner? We all need our eyes to get around. For a blind person, those eyes are often his dog. And not just any dog. A guide dog is special. It takes him almost six months to learn his job. And another month of just working with his new master. There are curbs and revolving doors, sidewalk hazards and traffic signals to Read More...
Assistance in a Grocery Store
A person with a vision impairment depends on their sense of hearing, smell and touch to gather the information they need to do their shopping. These senses alone are often not enough to get the job done and additional assistance is often required. Close your eyes and attempt to positively identify three different kinds of canned soup. This will give you a little idea of the perspective that a vision impaired person has in the grocery store. The good news is that, with a very small effort on the part of the grocery store management and staff, the frustration Read More...
What to do if you have a patient who is visually impaired
If you need to move furniture, water pitcher, personal belongings, always put the object back where it was. If you can’t, be sure the patient knows what you have done. Painting the doorframes a dark color would provide good contrast for a person with some vision. Control glare in the room by adjusting the shades as necessary. Let the patient know where the food is on the tray either by describing it using a clock system or show them using the silverware in their hands. Try to use contrast on the tray. If the dishes are a dark color, a white placemat under them Read More...
What do I do if someone blind walks into my store?
Ask if the person needs assistance. If they say “no thank you”, treat the person as you would any other customer. They probably can see well enough to find what they are looking for or are familiar enough with the store to find what they need. If the person would like assistance, ask if they would like to follow you or if they prefer sighted guide. If they prefer sighted guide, allow them to hold onto your arm above your elbow. The person can then follow you body movements and anticipate turns, steps, etc. If you are walking down Read More...
Informational Tips
When being the sighted guide, let the person who is blind or visually impaired hold your arm above the elbow; don’t push or pull. Don’t point when giving directions; instead, use words like “right” or “left.” Just because you can see a pedestrian doesn’t mean that the pedestrian can see you. If you are in a car and see a person who is visually impairment or blind standing at a corner, don’t yell out that it’s okay to cross the street; that person is waiting for a traffic cue. People who are blind or visually impaired, though they may Read More...
Debunking misconceptions and myths about blindness
When speaking with a person who is blind (or visually impaired), there’s no need to feel uncomfortable using words like “see”, “look” and “blind” as you normally would in conversation. You may want to introduce yourself when greeting someone who is blind so they know with whom they are speaking. Speak directly to a person who is blind, not through another person. People who are blind or visually impaired are not endowed with other highly developed senses and skills; the loss of eyesight leads to learning to do familiar tasks and/or use other senses differently. Children/youth who are blind Read More...
Helpful tips to assist a family caregiver
TIPS TO EASE FAMILY CAREGIVING Caring for an aging, ill, or disabled family member creates a host of responsibilities, some familiar, some not so, while others are very difficult, depending on the circumstances. Family members, especially ones serving in a primary caregiver role, will feel alone at times. But despite the challenges, it's rewarding. Here are some tips to make the tasks easier. Always remember, you're not alone. This prevailing encouragement will help you throughout the journey. CAREGIVING TIPS FIND SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT Support Groups help you see that your situation is not intolerable and that you're not alone Read More...
Sighted Guide Techniques
available in PDF format - click here to download There are a variety of techniques that are easy to learn and an efficient way to provide a person who is legally blind with meaningful assistance. A significant percentage of people who are blind are adept at traveling, either alone, using a white cane, or with a guide dog, yet many appreciate assistance in an unfamiliar environment. Click here for information on Sighted Guide Techniques from the Braille Institute