Informational Resources

Sensitivity to Blindness
and Visual Impairment

DEFINITIONS OF BLINDNESS:

• Visual impairment - 20/80 or worse in your better eye, with correction, is considered to be a serious visual impairment.
• Legal blindness - 20/200 or worse in your better eye, with correction, constitutes the legal definition of blindness.

• An individual with normal vision would have 140 degrees side-to-side vision. Less that 20 degrees peripheral vision also constitutes legal blindness.

TERMINOLOGY:

• The terms "visual impairment" or "visually impaired" are preferable when referring to someone who has limited or no sight. Terms such as handicapped or disabled are not recommended.
• People first language is recommended. "People who are blind or visually impaired," rather than "blind or visually impaired people."

SIGHTED GUIDE:

• Offer your arm rather than taking their arm. The person will gently hold your arm just above the elbow.
• Walk about half a step in front of the person you are assisting and walk at the same rate you always would, unless the person has another disability or has difficulty walking.
• Describe steps, curbs, right or left turns, or any unusual barriers you may encounter. It isn't necessary to describe insignificant detail such as slight terrain changes.
• If encountering a narrow passage, bring the arm you are assisting with directly behind you. Keep that arm behind you until the area widens out again and it is safe to travel side by side.
• Verbalize the way a door opens, such as "towards you on your left" or "away from you on your right." This way, the person can catch the door and hold it open.
• If the person has a walking or white long cane, ask them which side they would prefer. The person will probably transfer the cane to their free hand and will not use it simultaneously with sighted guide.
• If you're helping a person to his/her chair, don't push them into the seat. Simply place your hand on the back of the chair and let them follow your arm down to the back of the seat. He/she will find the rest of the way.

GUIDE DOGS:

• Never pet, speak to, or feed a dog that is working. The harness that is worn on the dog's back is what indicates to the dog and to the community that he is working. When the dog is out of the harness, petting is permissible with the handler's permission.
• When walking with a guide dog, do not assume the dog will indicate a step or curb. Always stop briefly.
• The dog will not be "working" while someone is receiving sighted guide assistance.
• The dog should be on the left side of the person and should follow along at a close distance.
• The sighted guide is not responsible for making room for the dog. The dog can see and will naturally avoid obstacles.
• Never call the dog in an attempt to get them to follow you. The handler will issue the "follow" command and will follow along somewhat behind you.
• Avoid walking on the person's left side where the dog is when walking together. A guide dog is always on the handler's left side whether they are right or left handed. Walking too close to the dog can create confusion and leave the dog without enough room to guide his partner around obstacles or barriers.
• It is never acceptable for the dog to be sniffing or initiating contact. Feel free to alert the handler that his/her dog is doing such behavior. The handler will correct the dog through proper leash or harness corrections.

DO's AND DON'Ts:

• Never speak louder to someone who is visually impaired.
• Do not try to count stairs. Stopping at the bottom step will indicate stairs and the person will walk accordingly.
• Do not change tone of voice as it can be viewed as patronizing.
• Do not push, pull, or grab in the attempts of showing them a chair or where to go. Use proper sighted guide technique as described above.
• Try to avoid pointing or using terms such as "over there" or "here". Be verbal and specific, i.e., "the chair is about 3 feet to your right."
• Do not be afraid to use visual terminology such as "look", "see", or "watch." People who are blind or visually impaired will use terms like "It's good to see you," or "I watched TV last night." It is part of every day language and should not be avoided.
• Address the person who is visually impaired and do not rely on a sighted person who may be with him/her. People who are blind are capable of speaking on their behalf.
• When giving something to a person who is visually impaired, verbalize what you are doing, "Here is your change," or "My hand is out."
• When in doubt, if your assistance is needed, always ask; never assume. The person will let you know if you can assist in any way and if your assistance is too much or not enough.