Questions & Answers

Blind Etiquette and Guide Dogs

When you meet a blind person, remember that every individual has a unique personality and therefore reacts in a unique way to blindness or visual impairment. Visually impaired people, whether they are totally blind (approximately 20% of the blind population) or have some degree of useful vision may, at time require the assistance of a sighted guide. Here are a few tips for interacting with people who are blind and their guide dogs: When you meet a person who is blind: • Treat people who are blind or visually impaired as you would anyone else. • Speak to the blind in a normal voice -- shouting won’t improve a person’s vision. • Talk directly to the blind person, not through their companion -- loss of sight is not loss of intellect. • In a crowded, noisy room, touching the blind person on the arm or back of the hand can let the individual know that you are talking to him or her. • When entering or leaving a room, identify yourself and be sure to mention when you are leaving. Address the blind person by name, if you can, so he/she will know you are speaking the him/her. • If a blind person looks like he/she needs assistance, ASK! The blind person will tell you if he or she needs assistance. • If a blind person is about to encounter a dangerous situation, VOICE your concerns in a calm and clear manner. • DO NOT GRAB a blind person arm or a guide dog’s harness: Pulling them will be confusing and harmful. • Ask “Would you like me to guide you?” Offering your elbow is an effective and dignified way to lead a blind person. Don’t be afraid to identify yourself as an inexperienced sighted guide and ask the person for tips on how to improve. • If you leave them alone in an unfamiliar area, make sure it is near something they can touch -- a wall, table, rail, etc. Being left out in empty space can be very uncomfortable and confusing. • Be sure to give useful directions. Phrases, such as “across the street”and “left at the next corner” are more helpful than vague descriptions like “over there.” • In a restaurant, give clear directions to available seats. Your offer to read the menu aloud may be appreciated, but you shouldn’t assume that they would not want to order their own food. Ask if the restaurant has menus in Braille and ask the blind person if he would want it. • When the food arrives ask if they would like to know what is on their plate. You can describe the location of food items by using clock positioning. “Your coffee is at the 3 o’clock position.” • Leave doors fully open or completely closed; half-open doors or cupboards are dangerous. • Be sensitive when questioning people about blindness. This is personal information and there are boundaries. • Offer to guide people who are blind or visually impaired by asking if they would like assistance. • Guide people who request assistance by allowing them to take your arm just above the elbow when your arm is bent. Walk ahead of the person you are guiding. Never grab a person who is blind or visually impaired by the arm and push him/her forward. Guide Dogs: • Guide dogs are working mobility tools. Do not pet them, feed them, or distract them while they are working. • By law, wherever the handler goes, the dog goes as well. Both dog and human must be individually trained before coming together as a team. The blind person must go through 6 months to a year of formal Orientation and Mobility training before being eligible for a guide dog. • New teams take 6 months to a year to develop and learn to work together. • Guide dogs rely on the skills and training of their handlers to tell them when to proceed. If a dog perceives a danger, it will display “intelligent disobedience”and refuse to obey the command. • True value of a guide dog comes clear when the team is faced with a dangerous situation -- from a speeding car or a torn-up street, to an unexpected disaster. The high standards of guide dog school’s extensive and rigorous training program give both dog and human partner the means to work through these challenges.