When Meeting a Person With a Vision Impairment
- Use his name so he will know you are speaking to him. Introduce anyone else who may be with you.
- Always speak directly to him, not through his companion or guide.
- Don't push, poke or shove; ask if help is needed. He may wish to take your arm when traveling or may only need directions.
- Remember that a dog guide is a working dog. Don't divert the dog's attention; its master's safety depends on its alertness.
- When showing him to a chair, put his hand on the back of the chair, he will seat himself. If leaving the room, please let him know.
- Don't use hand signals. People with visual impairments will probably not see waving or pointing hands.
- When helping him into a car, guide his hand to the door, he will do the rest.
- When dining, ask if he needs help. If so describe the location of the place setting and food on the plate according to the clock face: meat at 12 o'clock, potato at 6, etc. At a restaurant, offer to read the menu.
- As your house guest, show him the: guest room, furniture, light switches, electrical outlets, bathroom and kitchen. Hazards such as open staircases and glass doors should be pointed out
- Don't leave cabinet, or other doors partially open. This can be unsafe and cause accidents.
- When speaking to him don't omit words like, "See" or "Look"... People with visual impairments are not offended by these words. Words like these are part of normal conversation. Who wants to be asked if they have heard any good movies lately?
- He may or may not wish to discuss blindness issues with you. Please respect his privacy. Remember that his disability is only one feature of his personality. He is an individual with interests and needs similar to your own.
- Please allow him to be independent; he has worked hard to develop his other senses to compensate for his vision loss.
The Law (USA)
- Drivers must yield the right of way when they see a person using a white cane or guide dog.
- Only Legally Blind people may carry white canes.
- Blind people can bring there certified guide dogs (in harness) into all public places including: grocery stores, restaurants and hospitals.
- Landlords and innkeepers cannot refuse a blind person lodging because he uses a guide dog. Guide dogs are not pets.
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gives civil rights protections to blind people similar to those given to people based on their race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, State and local government services, and telecommunications.