MISSION STATEMENT

To Support Individuals Who Are Visually Impaired, Through Support, Education, Advocacy, Awareness And Resources

When I MEET a blind or visually impaired person

First, we must establish what blind, visually impaired and low vision mean. A blind person is one who has no light perception, a visually impaired person is generally considered legally blind (20/200) and has anything from light perception only to good peripheral or central vision, and a low vision person is anyone who even with correction may have difficulty with daily activities and/or tasks. For the purpose of this guide, we will use the term visually impaired to encompass all three.

Being visually impaired does not limit a persons activities, it only changes how they perform them.

Some visually impaired persons use a white cane for mobility purposes. The OHIO WHITE CANE LAW states that drivers must yield the right-of-way to a person carrying a white cane, regardless of the traffic signal or where the cross walk is.

Many persons with impaired vision choose to use a trained guide dog. A guide dog can be recognized by the harness on its back. It is a sturdy, solid harness that the visually impaired person holds in order for the dog to guide them. The same WHITE CANE LAW applies to them, giving them the right-of-way. These dogs may legally go anywhere with their human partner, including restaurants and hospitals. PLEASE resist

Resist the temptation to pet, talk to, feed, or otherwise distract this working dog. It is very important that while he is working he is not distracted from his task.

Some visually impaired persons prefer to wear dark glasses. This can be for a number of reasons including, light sensitivity and cosmetic reasons (not because they think it is KOOL or because they want to draw attention to themselves).

If you see a visually impaired person waiting to cross the street, DO NOT grab them by the arm and pull them across the intersection. They may be hesitating for a reason, possibly not even wanting to cross that particular street. Ask if they need assistance then listen to their advice on how to best help them cross safely. They may also decline your offer of help with a simple "No, Thank You". DO NOT persist.

SIGHTED GUIDE is the easiest way to guide a person who is visually impaired. Offer him or her your right arm (unless the person has a guide dog, then offer your left arm). They will lightly hold on above the elbow. They will be about ½ step behind you. They will be able to follow your movements. You can further help by describing the area you are walking through, also telling them when approaching steps or curbs. This is most effective in crowded or narrow areas. If the person also experiences some difficulty with balance, this method allows them to gain their balance from holding on to your elbow. When walking through a crowded room or restaurant, you will bring your arm behind your back and straightening it, signaling to them that they need to move close behind you because you are going through a narrow or crowded space. Your verbal description will further alert them to the circumstances of the surrounding area and will prove very valuable to them. You always go first.

Always remember to identify yourself. When you approach a person who you know is visually impaired, identify who you are and also identify anyone who may be with you. As others join your group, identify them. Tell them when you are leaving. Never leave him or her standing in the middle of a room alone. Guide them to a chair and show them (with their hand) the back of the chair, or guide them to a wall. Explain what you are doing. Group situations can be especially difficult for a person who is visually impaired to remember names or to know when they are being spoken to. When speaking to the visually impaired person use their name and if applicable tell them who you are. If they have not had time to recognize your voice, they may have trouble knowing who is speaking. Let the person know when you approach, who you are and when you are leaving.

Speak directly to the visually impaired person not to their companion or someone else that is with that person. You need not raise your voice. Vision loss does not mean hearing loss. Although hearing loss is also a frequent disability, they will tell you if they are having a hard time hearing you. If you think they are having a hard time hearing you, but are too self conscious to tell you, you might ask if they are hearing you okay or if you need to speak up, especially if you are a soft spoken person.

Don't be uncomfortable using accepted common expressions that seem to relate to the person's vision loss, such as "see you later" or "have you read this book" or "have you seen this movie?"

Always remember to ASK if a person needs assistance before giving it. NEVER force your assistance on someone.

If you are having a guest in your home (or office) that is visually impaired, meet them at the door and guide them to a chair, describing the room as you go. Do not give them directions to another room where doors, drawers or cabinets may be standing open. If you are a guest in a visually impaired person's home, do not move objects around, or leave doors, cabinets or drawers open. Also, be aware that loose cords and throw rugs can be dangerous to a visually impaired person.

When giving directions to a visually impaired person, don't give visual directions. For instance, do not say "go straight ahead until you come to the big picture on the wall then turn right". Instead, say, "go straight ahead until you reach the end of the hallway, then turn right".

Don't be afraid to ask questions such as "how do you know when to cross the street", "How do you know how much money you have" or "how do you cook"...etc. Most visually impaired are used to

answering such questions and usually welcome an opportunity to explain and help a sighted person understand how they do things.

If you are a business owner and you have customers who are visually impaired, give them a tour of your establishment. Offer to have an employee (preferably one who has been trained in sighted guide) go along to help the person. If you own a retail store, grocery store or other such establishment, ask the person if they would like assistance shopping. The person guiding them should be trained in `sighted guide' and be well versed in how to describe to someone with limited or no vision. He or she may need help with colors, prices, sizes, numbers, etc.

If you are a restaurant owner or you are an employee of a restaurant, try to have your menus in alternative formats. If this is not possible, then ask the person if they would like for you to read the menu or other written materials to them. Ask the person if he or she would like to have their meat cut in the kitchen before serving. When putting the meal in front of the person, describe where items are on the plate according to an interface of a clock. For instance, your meat is at 12 o'clock (furthest away) and your potatoes are at 4 o'clock. Don't put drinks in front of the person without telling them. You may also want to describe the layout of the table he or she is sitting at and what condiments are there and where they are. Also, important is to tell the person if there is a lighted candle on the table. They may wish for you to blow it out as it does create a safety issue for them and the restaurant. Another very important piece of information that will be highly valued by the visually impaired person are directions to the bathroom facilities, or perhaps an offer to guide them there.

Never touch a person's cane or guide dog.

For those who have some vision, lighting is very important.

If people who are visually impaired regularly visit your establishment or are an employee, notify them immediately about any changes that might have occurred in that location. For instance, if there has been a leak and a bucket has been placed in the room, you should tell the person. If other obstacles or barriers that were not there before, are now in their path, please tell them immediately.

Please remember we ALL have good days and bad days. Please do not judge all visually impaired by those few with a BAD attitude. Visually impaired will not judge you by the few sighted people they come in contact with that also have poor attitudes.

Peers

Helping Peers

Contact Information

Phone#: 614-538-0988

Email: sharethevision@columbus.rr.com

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The Blind Leading the Blind By J. D. Crabbs

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