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CNMI Office of Vocational
Rehabilitation "Together we can build a future" |
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FAQ by friends and relatives of the legally blind...
Blindness is considered the most dreaded of all disabilities. The declaration of legal blindness is almost always followed by a reaction of emotional shock. You can help by just understanding this reaction. Allow people time to grieve, to feel anger and resentment. Then, later encourage them to take full advantage of the many resources available to compensate for the impairment.
Should I invite my friend to a movie?
Why not? Remember, they usually still have partial vision, enough to enjoy the action on the screen while listening to the voices and the music. An active social life is critically important to a blind person. They are not outcasts and should not be regarded as "different".
Can a blind person live alone?
Very definitely. Blind people remain the same people as they were before. In familiar surroundings they are perfectly capable of caring for themselves, with no more and no less danger or discomfort than before. There are no automatic restrictions in the life of the legally blind person.
Should any words be avoided when talking with a legally blind person?
People often tend to become embarrassed in conversations when the words "look" and "see" come up. These words should not be avoided. They are common to the language and are understood by the blind person. To avoid them creates awkward situations. A common problem in conversations with the legally blind is the tendency to speak to them in a raised voice. This can be very uncomfortable for both people unless one of them is, indeed, hard of hearing.
What is the best way to walk with a visually impaired person?
Allow the person to take your arm above the elbow with the thumb on the outside of your arm and the other fingers on the inside of your arm in a firm grip. The arms should be held in close to the body in a nice 'L' position. This puts the one being guided a half-step back so that the sighted person can see any obstacles in the path of travel easily and if the guide must stop quickly, the person being guided will have time to react. When both people learn to trust and relax with each other, it becomes very easy for the guided person to follow the movements of the guide.
How does one lead someone up stairs or along curbs?
Using the sighted guide position, pause on the landing of the stairs or the curb. Tell the visually impaired person if the stairs or curb go up or down or if they are unusually deep or shallow. Indicate where the railing is so that support or information will be offered from both the rail and from the arm of the leader. Using sighted guide technique, the sighted person proceeds one step ahead of the visually impaired person. Do not count the stairs. It is unnecessary and can be confusing. Pause at the landing of the stairs or after the curb before continuing.
Do you tell the visually impaired person about all the obstacles?
Only if they will present a problem for the travelers. It is a good idea to tell someone when there is a curb or step to maneuver. Pause briefly and indicate whether the curb is up or down and whether it is unusually deep or unusually shallow.
Should I cut up the food for my blind friends?
Only if the help is asked for. Most people can do this perfectly well for themselves and will ask for help if they cannot manage.
How can I tell a person where the food is placed?
One common way is to describe the placement of objects in relation to the positions of clock hands. For example, something at the top of the plate would be described as being at twelve o'clock. Usually the person can find the food without help by lightly moving the tip of the knife around the plate. Different textures and shapes will supply adequate information.
What do I do when I have to leave a blind person alone briefly?
Be sure to explain that you are leaving and how long you might be gone. Leave them holding onto something so that they don't feel lost in space. For instance, place one of their hands on a table and tell them generally where they are and what they are holding onto.
How does one seat a visually impaired person?
Place the visually impaired person's hand on the back or the side of the chair. After exploring the chair, the visually impaired person seats himself.
How do I describe the surroundings so my friend can understand them?
Give a broad picture at first and then fill in with the most important details, gradually adding any further information that seems desirable. Proceed in an orderly fashion. Start with the scene directly facing the person, explaining that you are describing what is in front of them, then proceed by telling them what is to their right, what is behind them, and then what is to their left.
What kind of help is most useful for me to offer?
Try to remain the same friend you always were. Don't do more than is asked for. One of the most pressing needs for many people is someone to read mail.
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