Gide techniques for people who are blind
or visually impaired people who are
blind or visually impaired use a variety
of techniques to walk safely by
themselves or in the company of another
person this video demonstrates the most
common techniques that a person uses
however the type of assistance needed
may vary depending on the person's age
and level afraid in all cases
remember that good communication is key
to providing effective assistance in
addition throughout this video
the term visually impaired refers to
people who have impaired vision or may
be blind the white cane
many people who are visually impaired
are taught to use of white cane when
walking the cane is moved from side to
side while walking to detect any hazards
in the walking path
the identification can some people don't
use a white cane to travel but do use a
smaller identification cane as a way to
let others know they have a vision
problem for example a visually impaired
person may use an identification cane to
alert motorists when crossing a street
guide dogs
after learning to travel independently
using a white cane some people choose to
use a guide dog to help them avoid
hazards when walking never touch a guide
dog without asking the owner's
permission trailing trailing is a
technique where the person brushes the
side of her loosely curled hand along
the wall or handrail while walking
a cane or free arm may be held
diagonally across the body while
trailing to avoid obstacles don't assume
a person who is trailing needs help but
you can ask if she would like assistance
walking with another person the guide
technique detailed instructions of the
guide technique follow the guide
technique is a safe and effective method
for walking with and guiding someone who
was visually impaired never push a
visually impaired person from behind and
do not grab hold of the person unless
there is an emergency or imminent danger
always address a visually impaired
person before making contact to make
contact ask would you like some
assistance if the person says yes ask
would you take my arm please
then place your hand or forearm against
her hand or arm for her to take hold
keep your arm relaxed and hanging
loosely at your side the visually
impaired person will grasp your arm
above the elbow placing four fingers on
the inside of your arm and the thumb on
the outside let's review the technique
address
ask
touch grass
if the person you're guiding doesn't
already know the proper grip describe it
and steer her hand to the correct
position on your arm
people who are unsteady or frail may
hook their hand in a band of the guides
elbow for a more secure grip
body position when walking
when walking the visually impaired
person stands next to but one half to
one step behind you she will follow the
movements of your body walking and
stopping when you do give verbal cues
about where you are and where you're
going and describe the environment for
example we are coming to a doorway
the visually impaired person may
continue to use a cane for added safety
it is possible that someone who is
visually impaired can use this technique
to walk with a companion who is also
visually impaired
the guide technique can also be used
when walking with a visually impaired
child direct the child to grasp the
guides fingers or wrist instead of his
upper arm when walking
seedings the type of assistance a
visually impaired person may need to
locate a seat and be seated
will vary many people will simply ask
for direction toward an empty chair
elderly or frail people may need more
hands-on assistance as follows when
approaching a chair guide the visually
impaired person until her knees or legs
touched the front of the chair place her
free hand on the chairs arms seat and
back say if the chair is positioned
against a wall describe the chair
maintain contact with a person until she
is seated
if necessary stabilize the chair to keep
it from sliding
in many cases the visually impaired
person will simply sit on her own once
she feels where the chair is let's
review the technique
died
describe
hold
doors and narrow spaces
as you approach a door move your arm
toward the center of your back and ask
the visually impaired person to step
directly behind you without breaking
contact change the grip to a grasping of
wrists make sure you can open the door
easily and prevent it from closing on
the person you are guiding
in some instances you might have to
switch hands
once through the doorway return to the
standard grip and continue walking this
technique is effective for walking
through doorways narrow passages or
crowds let's review the technique behind
grass
open
returned
stairways
you
televisual the impaired person when you
are approaching a stairway and say if
the steps are going up or down approach
the stairway from straight ahead stop at
the first step and if needed assist the
person to find the handrail
tell her when there was one more step
and say whether the railing ends before
the last step or goes beyond it describe
what is at the top or bottom of the
stairs such as a landing floor or rug
if the stairway has no handrail walk
beside the person on the stairway
stay next to and one step behind the
visually impaired person on stairways
going up and next to and one step in
front on stairways going down let's
review the technique
tell
handrail next to
in front of or behind
describe
remember that good communication is key
to providing effective assistance to a
person with vision impairment you should
always ask a person if he or she would
like assistance and if so what type of
assistance is needed however don't
assume that all visually impaired people
need assistance in all situations or
that assistance is not needed because
the person is walking with a cane or a
dog always ask before touching a person
with vision impairment when walking
together reinforce where you are going
remember to describe the surroundings
and be sure to alert the person to any
hazards that are in the way we hope that
this instructional video will help you
when assisting a person with vision loss