Prevention of Blindness Society...

GENERAL TIPS ON COURTESIES TO
PEOPLE WHO ARE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Describe a strange room and let people who are visually impaired know who is present.

Describe activities going on in the room and ask if there is a preference as to where he/she would like to sit, with whom, and/or in what activity to participate.

It is important to comment on visual things happening in the room. If everyone laughs out of amusement, brief information describing the happening is appreciated.

When part of a group, it is helpful to the person who is visually impaired if each person introduces himself/herself so that differentiation in voice can be noted.

REMEMBER TO LET A PERSON WHO IS VISUALLY IMPAIRED KNOW IF YOU ARE WALKING AWAY SO HE/SHE DOES NOT FIND HIMSELF/HERSELF TALKING TO THE AIR, AND COMMENT WHEN YOU HAVE RETURNED.

Never leave a person who is visually impaired standing alone in the middle of a sidewalk, a hall or a room. Help him/her to make contact with a reference point i.e. a bench, a table or chair, or with another person.

If you move a person’s belongings, remember to explain in detail where you have put them, and be sure that things are returned exactly to where the person is able to find them.

Remember that it is particularly difficult for people to distinguish voices in environments where there is a lot of background noise. Don’t ask people who are visually impaired to "guess" what is going on. REMEMBER: ENCOURAGING INDEPENDENCE BUILDS SELF-ESTEEM AND SELF CONFIDENCE. THIS CONTRIBUTES TO PREVENTING DEPRESSION AND ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO FEEL POSITIVE ABOUT THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

Allowing a person who is visually impaired to accomplish tasks independently could require additional time and patience on the part of the companion and person with decreased vision. REMEMBER, THIS IS TIME WELL SPENT IN HELPING TO MAINTAIN DIGNITY, SELF-RESPECT, AND VALIDATE ONE’S ABILITY TO TAKE ACTION IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

Always remember that trying to do things with reduced vision is frustrating. Tension can build and emotional conflict erupt even when trying to perform the most simple task. Don’t "push" too hard, however, remember your generosity in offering assistance as needed is appreciated.

© 2007 Prevention of Blindness Society of the Metropolitan Area, Washington, DC. All Rights Reserved.