My name is Michael Gorse and I'm a freshman at WPI majoring in Computer Science. I have been totally blind since birth. I helped to write this article in order to make you feel more comfortable when approaching a blind person. I am not intending it as a set of procedures that you will need to memorize or follow rigidly. I am hoping that it will help you by answering some frequently asked questions. Some are direct quotes taken from a pamphlet entitled "You Asked Alta" by Alta LaPoint, a Disabilities Employment specialist at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. (No publication date was provided.)
"You enter a room and find a blind person sitting alone. What do you do?
"Always identify yourself. State briefly why you are there and, if appropriate, how long you will remain. Ask if you can be of assistance. Always announce your departure." (LaPoint)
You see a blind person who appears to be lost. What do you do?
Introduce yourself and ask if he wants help. For example, "Hi, My name is ____; would you like any assistance?" Never just grab his arm; always ask first and then let him take your arm.
How do you let a person who is blind "take your arm"?
Stand next to her close enough so that your arm lightly touches her arm. She will then reach up and hold your arm in a position that is comfortable.
"You have asked a blind person if you can help (and he or she has consented) or you have been requested to assist a blind person to go to the bus stop (or anywhere). What do you do?
"Let the person you are assisting take your arm. Do not push; the motion of your body will lead the way on level terrain. When approaching a hill or a curb, etc., announce and describe the change in turf at least five or six feet before arrival. At the point of arrival give the appropriate command, 'Incline or decline beginning. Step up or step down,' etc." (LaPoint)
"You are asked to lead a blind person to his or her seat. What do you do?
"Let the person take your arm. Take him or her to the chair, put his or her hand on the back of the chair, and then usually he or she will seat themselves." (LaPoint)
"A blind person and a friend stop you and ask for directions. What do you do?
"Many of us raise our voices when we speak to someone who is blind, as though hearing and seeing somehow depend on each other. There is a good chance that a blind person's hearing is better than yours. So speak in a normal tone and talk directly to the person who is blind, not the sighted individual, and give directions as clearly as possible (left or right according to the way the blind person is standing)." (LaPoint)
A third party has something to say to the person who is blind, but directs the question to you, the sighted guide. What do you do?
Do not answer for the person who is blind; instead indicate that the question is for the person who is blind. For example, if asked, "Where does he want to go?" respond with "That's a question for Peter. Peter?"
You see a person who is blind approaching a street corner or pausing at an intersection. What do you do?
A person who is blind relies on the sense of hearing to know whether or not there are cars moving in her direction. If you are nearby, it would be appropriate for you to introduce yourself and offer assistance in crossing the intersection or saying when it is safe to cross.
You are in a dining hall and see a person who is blind entering the food service area. What do you do?
The dining hall is particularly challenging for a person who is blind. Please introduce yourself and ask if he would like assistance. If so, let him take your arm and ask what he would like to eat. Guide him towards this area and describe the foods that are available. Let him know when a service person is ready to take the order. Do not order for the blind person; he will order for himself. Once he has all the food and drink desired, guide him to the eating areas. Describe the space availability and ask where he would like to sit. Once he is seated, describe the location of the food on the plate using an imaginary clock as a guide; e.g., the corn is at 2:00; the chicken is at 7:00, etc.
For more information on assisting people who are blind, contact the National Federation of the Blind or visit the web site at http://www.nfb.org. Anyone interested in sighted guide training may call Kelly Boyle at Student Development and Counseling (x5540) or JoAnn Van Dyke at Health Services (x5520).