First and most importantly never assume the person wants or needs your help.
Helping a blind person walk.
Here are few pointers to help a blind or visually impaired person with mobility so you can be supportive and considerate.
Above all your behavior should communicate respect and an awareness that the person you re helping is more than just blind.
We asked him what steps people can take to ensure blind people feel safe.
Address people who are blind or have low vision by their names so they know you are speaking to them.
Relax and walk at a comfortable consistent pace about a half step ahead.
Tell the blind person which way a chair is facing.
Let the blind person know which part of the chair you are touching.
People will walk either up or down towards us and expect us to move.
Always ask first and never force the person to accept your help.
In addition to walking you may need to help a blind person sit down.
Let the person who is blind or have low vision know that you have entered the room.
Blind and visually impaired people use other senses like sound touch and smell to orient ourselves to our surroundings.
Alerting the person when you walk in the room asking how you can help and using language that s not awkward are all ways you can show courtesy to a blind person.
Walk up to the chair and place your guiding arm on the chair.