Improving Healthcare Interactions with Patients with Disabilities Webinar

Improving Healthcare Interactions with Patients with Disabilities Webinar

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For more information about the Accessible Insulin Pump Task Force, please click here.

Blindness Etiquette Tips

Blindness etiquette is rooted in treating people with respect and dignity, maintaining an individual’s autonomy offering assistance only when requested or accepted always identify yourself and avoid grabbing individuals or steering them.

• Never distract a working guide dog
• Blind people are above all individuals just like anyone in the general population and therefore one exact set of guidelines will not apply to everyone.
• Interact with us just like you would with anyone else First we are individuals and second we happen to be Blind.

General Guidelines:

As someone who works every day with individuals who are blind or visually impaired, I want to share a few simple guidelines that can make interactions more comfortable, respectful, and inclusive for everyone.

1. Introduce yourself when you arrive and when you leave. Blind individuals may not know you’re there unless you speak. A quick “Hey, it’s Mike” goes a long way.

2. Use clear, everyday language. You don’t need special words. Phrases like “see you later” or “look at this” are perfectly fine.

3. Ask before helping. Jumping in to grab someone’s arm or steering them without permission can be startling. A simple “Would you like assistance?” is always the right approach.

4. Offer your arm if guiding. If someone accepts help, let them hold your arm rather than you grabbing theirs. It gives them control and keeps things safer.

5. Be descriptive and specific. Saying “the chair is to your left,” “the counter is three steps ahead,” or “your drink is at 2 o’clock” helps someone orient themselves.

6. Don’t pet or distract guide dogs. They’re working! Even small distractions can break their concentration and put their handler at risk.

7. Respect personal space and mobility tools. Canes and mobility devices are extensions of someone’s independence don’t grab them, move them, or kick them out of the way.

8. Talk directly to the person. Not to their companion, guide, or family member. Blind individuals are fully capable of communicating for themselves.

9. Remember: blindness doesn’t define someone, It’s just one aspect of who they are skills, talents, personality, and independence all remain fully intact.

Interacting with blind or visually impaired people isn’t complicated. A little awareness and respect make the biggest difference. If you don’t know what to do, ask the individual for their input: “Would you like me to take your arm or would you prefer to take mine?”

Do’s and Don’ts When Interacting with a Person who is Blind:

In speaking with a person who is blind:

• DO identify yourself, especially when entering a room. Don’t say, “Do you know who this is?”
• DO speak directly to the individual. Do not speak through a companion. Unless they are hard of hearing, they can speak for themselves.
• DO give specific directions like, “The desk is five feet to your right,” as opposed to saying, “The desk is over there.”
• DO use their name when addressing them. This lets them know you are speaking to them, and not someone else in the room.
• DON’T shout when you speak. They can’t see but often have fine hearing.
• DON’T be afraid to use words like “blind” or “see.” Their eyes may not work, but it is still, “Nice to see you.”

If you see a blind person who seems to be in need of assistance:

• DO introduce yourself and ask the person if they need assistance.
• DO provide assistance if it is requested.
• DO respect the wishes of the person who is blind.
• DON’T insist upon trying to help if your offer of assistance is declined.

If a blind person asks you for directions:

• DO use words such as “straight ahead,” “turn left,” “on your right.”
• DON’T point and say, “Go that way,” or, “It’s over there.”

If you are asked to guide a blind person:

• DO allow the person you are guiding to hold your arm and follow as you walk.
• DO move your guiding arm behind your back when approaching a narrow space so the person you are guiding can step behind you and follow single-file.
• DO hesitate briefly at a curb or at the beginning of a flight of stairs.
• DO tell the person you are guiding whether the steps go up or down.
• DO allow the person you are guiding to find the handrail and locate the edge of the first step before proceeding.
• DON’T grab the person you are guiding by the hand, arm, or shoulder and try to steer them.
• DON’T grab the person’s cane or the handle of a dog guide’s harness.
• DO refer to Sighted Guide Techniques for more information.

Reception Staff Tips:

• Greet the blind person as soon as they enter the waiting room
• Make sure that the blind person knows that they are the one being spoken to, i.e. address them by name
• We often don’t know if it is a medical assistant entering the room or the doctor as of course we cannot see their name badge.
• Professionals should introduce themselves by name and position and introduce any other people that might be with them, i.e. an intern or a resident.
• Discuss the issue of shaking hands as we of course can’t see someone extending their hand and emphasize that they should say things like may I shake your hand or I would like to shake your hand.
• The importance of using the person‘s name when they are talking to you if there are a number of people in the room so that we know they are speaking to us.
• The importance of telling the blind person when they are leaving the vicinity or leaving the room so we don’t end up talking to thin air.
• The importance of facing us directly when speaking to us as we can sense where they are and need to know we have their full attention.

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Speakers:

Tom Tobin, Accessible Insulin Pump Task Force