How should I refer to a person who is blind or visually impaired?

How should I speak to a person who is blind or visually impaired?

Is it okay to help a person who is blind or visually impaired cross the street?

How can I guide a person who is blind or visually impaired and has asked for my assistance?

What should I do if I have to leave my friend who is visually impaired or blind alone for a few minutes?

I've heard that the senses of people who are blind or visually impaired are heightened to compensate for their loss of vision. Is this true?

What should I be aware of when visiting the home or area of a person who is blind or visually impaired?

What should I be aware of when I enter a room accompanied by a person who is blind or visually impaired?

Why doesn't every person who is blind or visually impaired use a guide dog to help them get around?

Why shouldn't I pet a guide dog?

Question: How should I refer to a person who is blind or visually impaired?

Answer: Don't think of people who are blind or visually impaired as "blind or visually impaired people", but as people who are blind and visually impaired. They are people who happen to be blind or visually impaired. Every person who is blind or visually impaired is different, with different levels and types of vision.
Back to top

Question: How do I speak to a person who is blind or visually impaired?

Answer: Always speak directly to the person, not through a third party. Don't feel uncomfortable with using vision-oriented words such as "look" and "see".
Back to top

Question: Is it okay to help a person who is blind or visually impaired cross the street?

Answer: It is okay to offer your assistance, but never grab their arms to guide them. Additionally, if your friend or family member needs assistance, he or she will ask for it.
Back to top

Question: How can I guide a person who is blind or visually impaired and has asked for my assistance?

Answer: Let the person take your arm and follow you. Never push him or her ahead of you. Follow this link to read a brief description of the technique called 'Sighted Guide'.
Back to top

Question: What should I do if I have to leave my friend who is visually impaired or blind alone for a few minutes?

Answer: Guide him or her near to something that he or she can touch, explaining where you are leaving him or her. This allows the person to maintain contact with his or her environment, and therefore feel less disoriented and vulnerable.
Back to top

Question: I've heard that people who are blind or visually impaired are compensated by their other senses becoming more enhanced. Is this true?

Answer: Being blind or visually impaired does not improve the other senses. Neither does it dull the other senses.
Back to top

Question: What should I be aware of when visiting the home or area of a person who is blind or visually impaired?

Answer: Leave his or her possessions where he or she has placed them. If you move items around, he or she may not be able to find them easily.
Back to top

Question: What should I be aware of when I enter or exit a room accompanied by a person who is blind or visually impaired?

Answer: When you enter a room, always announce your arrival. Additionally, let the person know you are leaving, since they can't see you leave. If you are guiding a person who is blind or visually impaired into a room, introduce him or her to others that are present.
Back to top

Question: Why doesn't every person who is blind or visually impaired use a guide dog to help them get around?

Answer: Some people who are blind or visually impaired use guide dogs; however, they are not appropriate for everyone. The dogs do not lead an individual at will, they rely on commands and signals.
Back to top

Question: Why shouldn't I pet a guide dog?

Answer: A guide dog is a working dog. If you try to get its attention, or try to pet it, you will distract it from the work of helping its owner to get around safely.
Back to top

ACBVI is always happy to answer your questions. Please feel free to e-mail us at sgibbs@acbvi.org.