Be Courteous to the Blind

Ten Basic Ways to be Courteous to Blind Persons

In meeting a blind person, always identify yourself. Tell him/her your name and position. If he/she extends his/her hand, take it and give a handshake as you would with any other person.
When offering assistance to a blind person, do so directly. Just ask, “may I be of help?” Speak in a normal tone of voice and address him/her directly. This helps him/her to locate you.
In guiding a blind person, allow him/her to take your arm. Say, “Here is my left arm”, or the right, as the case may be.
In walking with a blind person, proceed at a normal pace, hesitate slightly before stepping up or down; do not drag him/her over a curb. After crossing a street see that he/she starts in the direction he/she wants to take, and caution him/her of any unusual obstruction you see ahead.
In giving direction do not point. Instead say, “Three blocks ahead, cross the third intersection, turn left and proceed two and a half blocks. The building is on your right.” Do not identify intersections by street names or describe landmarks by color.
In showing a blind person the location of a chair, place his/her hand upon the back of it, and do not push the person into it. His/her touch will tell them the type, width, and height of the chair.
When dining at a restaurant with a blind person, offer to read the menu, including the price of each item. As each item of food is placed on the table, call his/her attention to it, such as: “Here is your iced tea.” If the person wants you to cut up his/her food or serve it from a casserole or platter, the person will ask for help. However, it is never a bad idea to offer your help.
When conversing with a blind person, use normal terms as well as normal tones; he/she may greet you by saying, “It is good to see you again.” Speak directly to him/her. If your gaze wanders your voice follows.
In making change in bills of more than one denomination, hand him/her the bills separately and identify each denomination as you hand it to the person. This is not necessary with coins; they know them by touch.
Above all, do not pity or make assumptions about them. Thousands of blind persons are highly educated, well informed, successful, and independent.