| What can you do to put yourself and a blind | | | | to travel independence for a blind person. In all 50 |
| individual at ease? Let me take you on a walk | | | | states, the law requires drivers to yield the right |
| through the daily life of someone who is blind. | | | | of way to a pedestrian using a extended white |
| Along the way you'll learn what to do and not do, | | | | mobility cane. This does not guarantee motorist |
| techniques and technologies used in daily living, as | | | | will yield. Therefore, specialized training is essential |
| well as the mobility options available to visually | | | | to insure safe travel. |
| impaired travelers. | | | | Orientation and Mobility Specialists teach |
| How many times have you heard the correct or | | | | techniques for proper use of a white mobility |
| proper method for interacting with a blind or | | | | cane. This occupation requires a Masters degree |
| visually impaired person? Probably never if at all. In | | | | from a university. Governmental agencies, |
| fact, the average person rarely has any contact | | | | rehabilitation centers, schools for the blind, and |
| with someone who is blind. Here you will find | | | | some public school systems offer this training. |
| some common courtesy rules governing your | | | | Contact your local state or provincial agency for |
| interactions with these individuals. | | | | further information. |
| Techniques of daily living such as setting the alarm | | | | Individuals using proper technique hold the cane in |
| clock, cooking on the grill, and the simple task of | | | | the center of their body about waist high tapping |
| matching your wardrobe are tasks most of us | | | | in cadence from left to right as they walk. With |
| take for granted. Yet, how would you perform | | | | this method, the cane clears the path of Travel |
| these simple jobs without your eyesight? You'll | | | | about 2 paces ahead. As the cane traveler arcs |
| learn about specialized tools, adaptive electronic | | | | the tool from left to right, their body width is |
| equipment, and techniques used to live a full and | | | | insured of clearing any obstacles. One major |
| productive life. | | | | disadvantage of a mobility cane is it's inability to |
| How would you get to the grocery store, the | | | | clear for overhead obstructions such as low |
| bank, or hair stylists if you were blind? Most | | | | hanging trees or branches. |
| people are familiar with dogs guiding blind people. | | | | Along with the manipulation of the mobility tool, |
| However, this is only one of several mobility | | | | visually impaired pedestrians are taught to use |
| options used by visually impaired and blind people. | | | | their other senses, i.e. smell, sound, and touch. |
| You will be exposed to sighted guide, white | | | | Utilizing all available sensory input, the traveler has |
| mobility canes, and dog guides. | | | | a greater opportunity for proper orientation to |
| Protocol - interacting with blind or visually impaired | | | | their environment. Attention to travel surfaces |
| people | | | | such as gravel, concrete, tile, or carpet provide |
| When you meet or come in contact with a | | | | cues essential for independent mobility. Successful |
| individual who is blind or visually impaired, don't be | | | | completion of an orientation and mobility coarse is |
| ill at ease. It will help all if you remember and | | | | highly recommended prior to training with a dog |
| follow some simple points of courtesy. | | | | guide. In fact, it is a prerequisite at all major dog |
| First, people with vision difficulties are ordinary | | | | guide programs. |
| people, just blind. It isn't necessary to raise your | | | | For many people a dog guide brings a great sense |
| voice or address them in a child like manner. Don't | | | | of independence. Hundreds of people who are |
| ask their spouse or companion what they may | | | | blind and visually impaired are trained with |
| want... "Cream in the coffee?". Speak directly to | | | | well-disciplined and dedicated dogs as guides each |
| the individual - just as you would anyone else in a | | | | year. It is important that all people know |
| similar situation. | | | | something about the way a dog guide team |
| Many blind people have excellent voice recognition. | | | | works and how to act when encountering one of |
| However, just as a sighted person may | | | | these guides. |
| remember a face, yet forget a name, the same | | | | This article will not go into great detail about the |
| can occur with voices. Always introduce yourself | | | | training for either the dog or the blind handler. |
| by name... "Hi Mary! It's Fred!". This simple | | | | Rather, it covers what to do and not to do when |
| courtesy will avoid embarrassment for both | | | | you encounter a highly trained dog guide team. In |
| parties. | | | | some cases the methods are similar to those |
| On a similar note, it's nice to know who's in the | | | | used when interacting with any visually impaired |
| room with you. Please speak when you enter and | | | | individual. |
| exit. It's helpful if others with you are Introduced. | | | | Never rush up and startle a person who is blind |
| Additional information is also beneficial such as | | | | by grabbing their arm. Simply ask, "May I help |
| knowing if there are children, dogs, or cats in the | | | | you?" If a person who is using a dog appears to |
| room. | | | | be in need of some assistance - approach him or |
| If you have someone visually impaired as a | | | | her on their right side. The dog guide will usually be |
| houseguest, it is important to orient him or her to | | | | on the left. Do not touch or take the person by |
| their surroundings. Point out important necessities | | | | the arm without first asking, if you can assist |
| such as emergency exits, the bathroom, closet, | | | | them. Under no circumstances, should a person |
| temperature control, etc. Mealtime is no challenge. | | | | take hold of the dog guide or the harness, this will |
| After guiding their hand to a chair, simple | | | | confuse the dog and startle the individual. |
| orientation to the table is all that is necessary. | | | | If assistance is accepted, offer your left elbow by |
| Blind individuals have developed and learn | | | | brushing it against their arm as explained in the |
| techniques and skills, which enable them to enjoy | | | | sighted guide technique. |
| dining just as you do. | | | | This is generally the most accepted method to |
| For sure, accidents happen to us all. Yet, with a | | | | assist visually impaired and blind travelers. After |
| few common sense habits Most can be avoided. | | | | grasping your left elbow, the handler will drop the |
| The door to a room, cabinet, or to a car left | | | | harness handle as a signal to the dog that they |
| partially open is a serious hazard. Substantial | | | | are "off-duty" temporarily. |
| injuries will be avoided if you close these after use | | | | In some instances, the person may choose not to |
| or alert your sight impaired friends if their open. It | | | | make use of the sighted guide system. Instead, |
| is most handy when you announce if an Entry | | | | they may instruct the dog to "Follow" you. (Since |
| Exit door is being held open. This avoids confusion | | | | experience with this command varies, so does |
| and embarrassment for all. | | | | the quality of the team's performance.) If this is |
| Tools & Technology - Enhancing quality of life | | | | the case, walk ahead of them at a normal speed |
| Many of the chores and routine tasks associated | | | | letting the person know when they are |
| with daily living can be frustrating to blind or | | | | approaching turns, doorways, stairs, and drop-offs. |
| visually impaired individuals. Thankfully, specialized | | | | If the person is seeking assistance for a street |
| tools, equipment, and devices have been | | | | crossing, walk with them completely across the |
| developed to help alleviate this frustration and | | | | street and up on the opposite curb. The dog guide |
| enhance the quality of life with increased | | | | will again resume its duties once on the sidewalk. |
| independence. Local agencies, rehabilitation centers, | | | | When traveling in unfamiliar environments a |
| and libraries are excellent sources for more | | | | person who is blind or visually impaired may seek |
| information. However, one of our best resources | | | | directions just as a person with sight might. This |
| is the internet. Online catalogues provide details | | | | may seem overly simple, but speak directly to |
| about each item in stock while explaining it's | | | | the person and not the dog. You may want to |
| function. | | | | ask if they wish to make use of compass |
| Special pots, tongs, spatulas, and timers make | | | | directions or directional turns. Example: "go north |
| preparing meals much easier. Braille tags, magnetic | | | | two blocks then east" or " turn left and go two |
| tape, raised markers, and self-threading needles | | | | blocks then turn right". Each person will have their |
| provide methods for labeling clothing, food items, | | | | own way of interpreting directions and will usually |
| microwave, oven, or the washer/dryer. | | | | ask for the directions in the format they prefer. |
| Electronics have opened up a new world of | | | | The most common mistake many people make is |
| independence for visually impaired people living | | | | touching, calling, clicking, or whistling to a working |
| alone. Talking devices like clocks, thermometers, | | | | dog. Absolutely Do not pet or distract a Leader |
| blood pressure cuffs, and computers have | | | | Dog when it is in harness or when working. For |
| brought blind people into the 21st Century. | | | | those of us who are dog lovers, there is a natural |
| In fact, computers with screen reading software | | | | impulse to pet a dog that we must resist. The |
| have opened new areas of employment never | | | | dogs are friendly animals that like to be petted |
| considered viable for workers with vision difficulty. | | | | and allowed to romp and play, but the owner |
| Scanners convert printed text into voice output | | | | should always be consulted first. Ask the owner's |
| or Braille on a refreshable display. Documents can | | | | permission before touching a working dog or even |
| be printed in text or Braille, or transmitted | | | | making eye contact. Eye contact can distract the |
| electronically for co-workers. Surfing the net, | | | | dog too, so always interact with the person and |
| reading and writing email, as well as managing | | | | not the dog. |
| personal and business finances are now nearly as | | | | Dog guides and other working animals are on |
| easy for the blind as it is for the sighted. To be | | | | special diets. Never offer food to a dog guide. The |
| sure, there are many challenges. Yet, progressive | | | | owner looks after the diet of their four legged |
| minded technicians are moving forward with | | | | partner very carefully. The animal is well fed and |
| improvements at a rapid rate. | | | | does his job most efficiently when a |
| So, you're a woodworker, machinist, or hobbiest | | | | recommended diet is followed. Treats should only |
| unable to use conventional tools. Well, | | | | come from the handler. |
| micrometers, levels, and tape measures are | | | | Summary |
| available which emit electronic tones or have | | | | It is incumbent on us to adhere to and follow the |
| tactile markings. With specialized training, workers | | | | simple rules and guidelines presented here. |
| who are blind operate equipment like table saws, | | | | Remember people with vision impairments are |
| stamping machines, and manufacturing tools. | | | | people just like you. They don't want pity or |
| Unfortunately, not enough of these individuals are | | | | condescending treatment. Their sense of smell, |
| working in main stream jobs usually due to | | | | touch, or hearing did not improve when they lost |
| unfounded fears over safety issues. | | | | their vision. They simply rely on them more and |
| Mobility - Moving THROUGH YOUR environment | | | | may get more information through those senses |
| safely | | | | than you do. |
| There are three (3) basic mobility options available | | | | The development of specialized tools and devices |
| to blind or visually impaired travelers - sighted | | | | has opened up a new world of independent living |
| guide, white mobility cane, or a dog guide. | | | | for people with vision difficulty. Simple jobs and |
| Combinations of the last two are Also commonly | | | | ordinary task no longer require a sighted assistant. |
| used in specific situations. A person using a | | | | Electronic devices and computers have broaden |
| mobility cane or dog guide wants to be treated | | | | employment opportunities and enhanced quality of |
| the same as anyone else. Assume he or she is | | | | life for many blind individuals. |
| independent. If the person is in need of | | | | You see more blind persons today walking alone |
| assistance, they will ask for help. You will never | | | | with their new found independence. These people |
| go wrong by asking! | | | | enjoy increased mobility with their white cane or |
| Sighted guide technique is not difficult to learn. | | | | enhanced independence because of their dog |
| Many couples or married people with a blind | | | | guide. It is important for you to know the correct |
| partner often use this approach when out | | | | procedure to offer assistance while not interfering |
| together. If you are walking with someone visually | | | | with their independence. |
| impaired, don't grab their arm. Allow them to take | | | | Finally, remember that while a person who is blind |
| yours grasping gently at your elbow. In this | | | | or visually impaired appreciates attention the way |
| manner, they will keep a half step behind you. | | | | we all do, he or she wants their friends, and |
| As your body moves information about the travel | | | | others, to act natural with them and not overly |
| environment will be communicated. Following along | | | | solicitous. Most will discuss blindness with you if |
| with you in this manner, curbs and steps can be | | | | you're curious, but it's an old story to them. They |
| easily negotiated. It is very helpful if you alert | | | | have as many other interests as you do. |
| your traveling companion to these changes. One | | | | Don't think of them as just blind people. Rather, |
| drawback to this method is dependency on a | | | | they are people who happen to be blind! |
| sighted assistant. However, with a little practice | | | | This article appears online at |
| this can be a safe and effective travel option | | | | Check out Larry's new book, "Insights from an |
| when incorporated with either a cane or dog. | | | | out-of-sight guy" at the website above. |
| The use of a mobility cane is the first major step | | | | |