Assisting the blind?

June 5, 2008 9:43 AM

Are there general guidelines to helping/assisting a blind person?

I got off the train today and encountered a blind person who seemed to be having a little difficulty navigating the concourse. I know 'common sense' would have me say 'excuse me, would you like some assistance', but I wasn't so sure. The place was crowded, she wasn't in danger, I did not wan't to spook her, you get the idea. She managed to get to the escalator o.k., but it would have been much easier for her if someone assisted her. Just general guidelines from people that know would be helpful as I run into this situation often enough. Thanks.

posted by repoman to grab bag (6 comments total)

In my experience, it's always fine to ask (if they look like they actually need help, of course) - and you should always ask. If they say yes, then let them decide if they want to take your arm, or have you take theirs, or what. I've asked random blind/disabled people who look like they may need a little help if they do in fact need help, and sometimes they answer's been yes, and sometimes it's been no, I'm good, thanks.
posted by rtha at 9:51 AM on June 5

Agreed; asking first is the best policy. I vaguely also remember advice I received once about speaking first before grabbing an arm or touching a shoulder or something, so your voice would alert them to your presence first, but I may be mis-remembering that advice, so take that with a grain of salt...
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:02 AM on June 5

Yeah, always talk before touching.
posted by rtha at 10:14 AM on June 5

Definitely. Ask the person if they need help. If they do, ask them if they'd like to take your arm (generally, you offer your left arm when you're serving as a sighted guide).

Repoman, think of it this way: if you saw someone standing around looking obviously lost, you'd offer them your help, right? I get the sense that you're trying not to treat her differently because of her disability, so don't let her disability stand in the way of offering her your help.
posted by Flipping_Hades_Terwilliger at 10:44 AM on June 5

I work as an assistant to blind people.

First, yes, ask if the person would like assistance. Second, ask the person how he or she would like to be helped. This is crucial, you don't want the blind person to lose his or her bearings. If you do end up helping the blind person, be sure to describe everything that is happening. Other than that, there's not much I can say that improves on these two pages:

Do's and Don'ts When Interacting with a Person who is Blind

Sighted Guide Technique

One thing, do ask the blind person if they're familiar with the sighted guide technique, most are, but not all. Also, if someone is struggling, they'll welcome help, but don't be put out if they turn you down, they might be doing just dandy.
posted by Kattullus at 11:54 AM on June 5 [3 favorites]

Not only talk before touching, but tell them what's about to happen -- "I'm going to grab your elbow because there's a flight of steps coming up," "put your hand on my shoulder because there's a muddy spot at the bottom of this hill," "I'm moving your drink to your right side because the waiter just put it down on the left."

That seems to work well with me & my legally blind friend.

I'd approach a blind stranger like I'd approach anyone else who looked like they need assistance -- "Hi. Need a hand?"
posted by BitterOldPunk at 12:01 PM on June 5