Blind pedestrians: Etiquette tips?
Okay, maybe there are obvious stuff, maybe not. Any folks have guidelines or tips about how to considerately offer to or assist a blind person?
I assume a pedestrian or commuter may be blind because I see them walking with those white and red walking canes, or they have a seeing-eye dog. Most of the time they accept mine, or someone else's (sometimes there are simultaneous offers) of guidance, or whatever.
Some tips I remembered over the years really (from where, not sure) are these:
1) Don't yell when speaking to a blind person. They are blind, not (necessarily) deaf! Speak normally.
2) If you offer to walk with them, do not grab their arm or push them around: it is extremely disorienting, can be dangerous if they trip or lose balance, and downright rude (if unintended). Offer them your arm to hold so they can feel your movements and direction as you walk.
3) Let them know if there's an upcoming obstacle, doorways (including revolving doors), stairs, or curbs, street curb (stepping down from, stepping up).
4) If they have a seeing-eye dog, ask if you can pet or play with it. The dogs are trained to deal with certain situations and behaviors and playing with them when they are in work mode can be very disruptive and disorienting to both dog and pedestrian.
5) Always ask first. Don't presume to do something without asking them or telling them for something they may neither need, nor want.
6) Just because they are blind doesn't mean they are helpless, or assume they need your help. They reserve the right to say "no" as well as to say "yes" to any offer.
Thanks for additional tips, stories, or whatever.
I assume a pedestrian or commuter may be blind because I see them walking with those white and red walking canes, or they have a seeing-eye dog. Most of the time they accept mine, or someone else's (sometimes there are simultaneous offers) of guidance, or whatever.
Some tips I remembered over the years really (from where, not sure) are these:
1) Don't yell when speaking to a blind person. They are blind, not (necessarily) deaf! Speak normally.
2) If you offer to walk with them, do not grab their arm or push them around: it is extremely disorienting, can be dangerous if they trip or lose balance, and downright rude (if unintended). Offer them your arm to hold so they can feel your movements and direction as you walk.
3) Let them know if there's an upcoming obstacle, doorways (including revolving doors), stairs, or curbs, street curb (stepping down from, stepping up).
4) If they have a seeing-eye dog, ask if you can pet or play with it. The dogs are trained to deal with certain situations and behaviors and playing with them when they are in work mode can be very disruptive and disorienting to both dog and pedestrian.
5) Always ask first. Don't presume to do something without asking them or telling them for something they may neither need, nor want.
6) Just because they are blind doesn't mean they are helpless, or assume they need your help. They reserve the right to say "no" as well as to say "yes" to any offer.
Thanks for additional tips, stories, or whatever.