How to treat a blind person?
These tips are intended for all who see, and whose help is valuable in meeting blind people. Techniques used by blind people in their own way are: white cane, guide dog, seeing guide or electronic aids. Blind people sometimes need the help of others to move even when they are generally doing well on their own. A person who sees but does not know how to help can make a mistake whereby the blind face feels insecure and uncomfortable. The tips we give below are perfected with practice as well as most skills.
The guiding hand
The parallel walking hand indoors and outdoors stand in front of the blind face with your hands down. Have the blind face grab your hand just above the elbow with the fingers on the inside and the thumb on the outside of the hand, with the helper’s elbow bent. In this position, the blind face will be half a step behind you, making it easier to follow the rhythm of your movement. Under no circumstances should you grab a blind person by the arm and push them in front of you. This not only causes discomfort, but is also life-threatening.
Walking in a row – one after the other
Walking in a row is used in shops, restaurants, surgeries and traffic jams. To let the blind face know when to pull behind you, move your guide arm to the middle of your back. Your face follows you with outstretched arms walking behind instead of next to you. If there is enough space for parallel movement, pull the arm to its usual side position and continue moving.
Curbs
Despite the fact that finding curbs is simple, people often do not know what to do. Pause for a moment before stepping up or down, and your face will feel a change in hand position. Many modern intersections have wide and rounded curbs. Make sure the person is not on the road ahead of you due to the pronounced curvature of the curbs.
Stairs
As you approach the stairs, warn of the direction of movement up or down. Before descending, some blind people like to drag their foot along the edge of the stairs to determine the distance before departure. Going down the stairs you are a step ahead of your face. When you reach the end, stop and wait for the blind face to come down from the back step. When climbing a blind face will notice that your hand is raised, following your movement there will always be one step behind you. When you reach the top, take a longer step so that the blind face feels that you are continuing in the same plane.
Sitting
Never push your blind face with your back to a chair, no matter which side you approach the chair from, always place your hand on the backrest. This movement will show the face the position of the chair. If the chair is next to a table, warn your face about the proximity and position of the table. If you are in a situation to help a blind person find a chair in a theater or other hall, proceed as follows, take the blind person to the desired row and step sideways into the same, with your back to the seats. Stop when the person reaches their seat. When leaving the queue, the procedure is the same.
The door
Warn the person when you come across a door that closes on its own. When using a revolving door, it is necessary to assess whether there is enough space in the compartment for two people. If a person uses a white cane or a guide dog, open the door and let them pass on their own.
Means of city and intercity transport
When entering and exiting public transport, be sure to use the driver’s front door. Approach the entrance to the vehicle so that the blind person can easily find the handrail with his free hand. Walk one by one up the stairs, and through the aisle between the seats. When you get to the empty seats, you step in first and let your face follow you. You can sit at the same time. When going out, you should also walk one behind the other.
You can also apply all these tips in communication with blind children, of course, these encounters will be more pleasant for you. We hope you find these tips useful.