Social Etiquette With Blind And Visually Impaired People

Many sighted people are uncomfortable or confused about how they should communicate with people who are blind or visually impaired.

Here are a few helpful guidelines:

1. Introduce yourself. Not everyone recognizes voices or remembers them.
2. Don't shout. Visually impaired or blind does not mean hearing impaired.
3. Don't leave a person who is blind, talking to themselves. Let them know when you are leaving.
4. Don't use hand signals. People with severe visual impairments can't see waving or pointing hands.
5. Don't omit words like, "See" or "Look". People with visual impairments are not offended by these words and understand that these words are part of normal conversations.
6. Do feel free to photograph someone who is blind or visually impaired. Everyone likes to capture special moments to save and show to others.
7. Do speak directly to a person who is blind. Don't speak to a family member or friend and ignore the person who is blind. Remember they can speak for themselves.
8. Don't push, pull or grab a person who is blind. This can cause accidents and is often embarrassing.
9. Do offer your arm for assistance. A person who is blind would rather take your arm than have you take their arm.

More social etiquette tips

Donate to SDCB