North County Times           12-15-97

DEAR ABBY

Bhnd lead way with suggestions

     Dear Abby: You recently ran a letter from a
woman who gave a few tips on what sighted people
should do when they meet a blind person. As presi-
dent of the American Foundation for the Blind, and
a blind person myself, I believe I can add a few
more points of etiquette your readers may find
helpful:
1.  Speak to people who are blind or visually
impaired using a natural conversational tone
and speed. Do not speak loudly and slowly
unless the person also has a hearing impairment.
2.  Address blind people by name when possible.
This is especially important in crowded places.
3.  Immediately greet blind people when they
enter a room or service area.  This lets them know
you are present and ready to assist.
4.    Indicate the end of a conversation with a blind
person in order to avoid the embarrassment of leav-
ing a person speaking when no one is actually
there.
5.   Feel free to use words that refer to vision
when conversing with blind people. Words such as
"look '  "see" and "'watching TV" are part of every-
day communication. The words "blind" and "visual-
ly impaired" are also acceptable in conversation.
6.   Do not leave a blind person standing in "free
space" when you serve as a guide. Also, be sure
that the person you guide has a firm grasp on your
arm or is leaning against a chair or a wall ff you
have to be separated momentarily.
7.  Be calm and clear about what to do if you see
a blind person about to encounter a dangerous situ-
ation. For example, if the person is about to bump
into something, calmly and firmly call out, "Wait
there for a moment; there is an obstruction in your
path ' '
     Abby, thanks for giving me the opportunity to
provide this information. If your readers have any
questions about blindness and visual impairment,
the American Foundation for the Blind has a toll-
free information line, (800) 232-5463, and a Web
site, wwwafb.org. - Carl R. Augusto, President,
American Foundation for the Blind, New York
     Dear Carl: Thank you for the excellent input. I'm
sure my readers will find it of interest. In addition
'to your letter, I also heard from David M. McGown,
executive director of the Guild for the Blind in
Chicago, offering pointers for the general public
when interacting with blind people:
     0   Address the person directly, and not through
someone else.
    O  If you think a person needs assistance, ask first.
Don't assume you should help. Let the person
choose to accept help or not.
    O  When offering assistance, never take someone
by the arm who is blind or visually impaired; and
never take hold of a white cane or guide dog. If you
offer your arm instead, the person can follow a half-
step behind and anticipate changes.
    0  When guiding someone to a chair, place
his/her hand on the back of the chair..
    0  Remember, people who are blind or visually
impaired are people first - people who have feel-
ings and lives just like you do. Many of them like
movies and sports and have interests of their own.
Treat a person who has a visual disability with the
same courtesy and respect you would give to any-
one else.
     For more information about the Guild for the
Blind and its services, write: 180 N. Michigan Ave.,
Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60601-7463 or call (312) 236-
8569.