Etiquette tips:
People who are visually impaired or blind

People-First Language

Appropriate terminology for people with disabilities begins with always putting the person first.

Terminology

• Visual Impairment refers to partial vision, which may also be called partial sight.
• Blindness refers to the total absence of vision.

General Guidelines

What a person is able to see and how much they are able to see may be affected by a number of factors including:

• Lighting

• Weather conditions

• Time of day (night blindness)

• Color contrasts

• How a person is feeling

• Don’t avoid using words such as “look,” “see,” or “watch”; they are part of everyday conversation.

• Don’t assume what people can and cannot do. Ask if you have questions or concerns.

• When entering a room make the person aware of your presence.

• If the person does not extend his/her hand (to shake hands), verbally extend a welcome.

• If you know an individual is visually impaired, identify yourself and any others who are with you when you approach. Do not assume that the person will recognize you from your voice or appearance.

• Speak in a normal tone of voice.

• When offering seating, place the person’s hand on the back or arm of the seat. A verbal cue may also be helpful.

• Let the person know when you are leaving the area, so he/she does not end up talking to herself.

• Speak directly to the person who is visually impaired/blind; don’t speak to him/her through a third party.

• If you see a person who looks like they need assistance, go up to him/her, identify yourself, and ask if he/she needs help.

• Give verbal directions and cues; don’t use hand signals such as waving or pointing.

• When walking with a person, ask if he/she would like to take your arm (at about the elbow). This allows him/her to follow your body motion.

• Guide dogs should not be petted or distracted while they are working.

• Don’t leave a person who is visually impaired/blind in an open space as this may create fear and or confusion. Direct the person to a chair or other object in the area.

• Don’t leave cupboards, drawers, or doors partially open. Doing so can cause accidents.

• Let the person know if furniture or other objects have been rearranged.

• When possible, ask people what medium they would like to have materials in — Braille, tape recording, or large print, (font sizes 14, 16 and 18 are generally standard for accessible materials, but some individuals may prefer or need a larger size).

• When you accompany a person to an unfamiliar area, describe the environment so he/she has a sense of what the surroundings are like.

• When dining with a person who is blind, it may be helpful if you tell him/her how food is arranged on the plate using the “clock method” – meat at six o’clock , potatoes at nine, peas at 12, etc. Describe the location of water, sugar, salt and other items on the table. Do not offer help unless it seems necessary.

• Allow people who use canes to keep them within reach.

Additional Resources

“A Guide for Sighted People,” The Jewish Guild for the Blind. Web site: www.jgb.org.

“What To Do When You See A Blind Person,” American Foundation for the Blind. Web site: www.afb.org.