FOR AN OPTIMAL RELATIONSHIP WITH:
PEOPLE WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS

PAGE INDEX

• Blind and Partially sighted people
• Suggestions

BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED PEOPLE

Blindness is apparently one of the most easily verifiable impairments: you only need to close your eyes to experience it.

Reality is however very different. Who sees can remember everything that his or her eyes have seen: they know how a glass is shaped, how a lift works, how to dial a phone number, how to use the cooker and a thousand more things. In this context, there is a great difference between someone who is blind from birth and someone who has lost vision following an accident or an illness. While in the second example the event is more traumatising, in the first example (of a person blind from birth) they would have to 'imagine' the whole world for themselves. They do not know shapes and colours and must use all other remaining 'senses' to orientate themselves in the surrounding environment.

This can cause them many problems. A blind person cannot see a facial expression or interpret a gesture. They do not understand 'here' or 'there', they cannot see someone nodding or smiling, they cannot see in which direction a door is open. Moreover, if the noise of the traffic in the street is very loud, they would have difficulties finding orientation in the street. If he or she is accompanied by someone, often they worry about losing their guide.

The presence of a raised edge on sidewalk, while it can constitute a barrier for someone on a wheelchair, can become useful for a blind person while orienting themselves. While sidewalks are increasingly being leveled for the benefit of wheelchair users, sometimes this can constitute a disadvantage for a blind person. Sometimes a blind person can have difficulty participating at job interviews or normal conversations as he does not know at first to whom he's talking to. If he does not know why suddenly people around him or her are laughing, they become insecure. A blind person will appreciate explanations.

For all these reasons, blind people often develop their remaining senses to an enhanced level: for example they may acquire an exceptional tactile ability or a well developed hearing. In the majority of cases they are able to recognise people by their voice: however it is wrong to assume that because of all this they have somehow developed a sixth sense, this is a myth!

Many blind people live completely autonomously and they cope well in getting around with the use of their white stick or their guide dog; apart from their impairment, blind people are like everyone else. However, as sometimes their relationship with the external world is limited, they risk feeling alone and isolated.

For partially sighted people things are a little better, however they still have lots of difficulties if they are not enabled to use access aids that support them in their daily activities. They can often distinguish light and shadows or see the outline of an object. However often they can only recognise a flight of stairs from the bottom up and if they have to descend the stairs they have difficulty finding the first step. Because their impairment may not be not so evident their needs are often ignored.

SUGGESTIONS FOR AN OPTIMAL RELATIONSHIP WITH BLIND PEOPLE OR PARTIALLY SIGHTED PEOPLE.

It is always important to behave spontaneously and naturally, as well observe the following main suggestions:

• Getting close to a blind person, make them notice you on time. Remember that he or she can't see you so does not know your identity. Therefore tell them who you are or greet them if they know you.

• One should never grab a blind person's arm and guide them. Instead offer them your arm which she or he will hold above the elbow so they won't need directions. You'll only need to precede them in narrow areas.

• Do not forget that they cannot see you smiling or nodding, therefore you need to talk to them.

• Warn them when they are about to leave the footpath and cross the road.

• Never leave without telling them first. It's awful for them to realise that they've been talking to someone who's already left.

• Never follow them with the intention of helping them in case of necessity. They can feel your presence and feel uncomfortable .

• To support a blind person getting onto a bus you only need to place their hand on the door handle and tell them if a step is particularly high. If there is a certain number of steps, tell them which is the first and last step (if they want you to).

• If you wish to offer them a seat, let them place their hand on the back of a chair. If it is a large soft chair, you need to lead their hand to the handrest so they can work out where the chair is placed.

• When they need to get into a car, lead their hand to the upper edge of the car door. With the other hand they will touch the inner top of the car, and seat themselves.

• If he or she appears lost, simply let them know what is in front of them and behind them, on their left and right.

• A blind person and their guide dog are a well synchronised unit: the dog should not be distracted from its tasks. Therefore offer them help only if asked.

• At the dinner table with a blind person, ask them if they need your help. Tell them what is in the plate in front of them and how the food is placed using the clock's example. You can for example tell them that salad is at six o'clock, the sausage at ten o'clock and the mashed potatoes at two o'clock! Tell them where the glass is and do not fill it too much. If they smoke, offer them an ashtray.

• Handing something to them, call them by name and lightly touch them.

• For blind persons and people who are partially sighted it's very important that their environment is tidy and that all objects have their place. If you visit them in their home, leave everything where you find it.

• If they're in a familiar environment but something has changed position, they need to know about it.

• If you help them take their coat or jacket off, always tell them where you're putting it or hanging it. On a train tell them that their bags are in the compartment above them.

• If you want to read the paper to a blind person, tell them the article first so that they can choose what they're interested in.

• Cars parked on a sidewalk can be dangerous obstacles for them.

• Always talk to them naturally and in your usual tone of voice.