How to assist someone who is blind
Here at Traveleyes we wanted to help bring people the confidence and knowledge of how to guide someone who is partially sighted or blind. In the below sighted guide training video our founder, Amar Latif, takes you through some of the basic steps in how to be a great sighted guide.
We have been training sighted guides on our holidays for almost 15 years. At the start of each trip, we run a brief workshop on how to guide people who are partially sighted or blind. We then offer support throughout our adventures to help travellers develop their skills as a sighted guide.
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It can be difficult to recognise voices so remember to say your name.
Everyone is different, some blind people may want to put their hand on your shoulder, some will take the back of your arm and others may just walk beside you.
Communicate there is a narrow space and move your arm in behind you, your partner will slip in behind you (like you’re doing the conga!). Remember once you are through the space just place your arm back at your side which will let your partner know you are through the narrow space.
Let your partner know if the stairs are going up or going down. DO NOT count the steps, if you miss count it can be confusing. Remember to let your partner know when you get to the last step and always offer the handrail if there is one.
Some sighted guides can be smaller than their visually impaired partners, so keep an eye out for low hanging objects. Also be on the look out for any trip hazards as well.
Helping to describe your surroundings can really bring a place alive. Sometimes you can take your partners hand and draw the outline of a building or scenery. The main thing is not to worry, it’s just like having a conversation.
You can either place your partner’s hand on the back of the chair or you can put your guiding arm on the chair and your partner will follow your arm down to the chair. Remember, your visually impaired partner knows how a chair works, so no need to back them into it.
If the menu at a restaurant is large then your partner may ask for something specific or ask you to read out the main sections.
When approaching a door let your partner know if the door opens towards or away from you and whether the hinges are on the right of the left. Remember sighted guides always need to go first, it is extremely difficult to guide from behind.
Your visually impaired partner may ask you what is in the room or may be looking for something specific. In the bathroom, it’s helpful to know which is the shampoo and conditioner and how the shower works.
Place your partner’s hand on the door handle and let them know which way the car is facing.