Let me tell you a story, recently, I found myself going to a new doctor. Although I knew some pathways through the building, I was not able to clearly explain to my driver where I needed to be dropped off. So, I ended up in an unfamiliar place. Using the skills I had, I got into the building. There was no one around outside. However, inside was a different story. I walked to the nearest set of voices talking and the nice ladies were happy to help me get to the elevator I needed to find my way. One of the ladies offered me her arm to take me where I was going and I accepted.
Getting around as a pedestrian is something we all do whether we are shopping, going to a medical appointment, running to catch a train or just meeting a friend for coffee. When you are blind and in an unfamiliar place, getting to your destination can be a challenge. The lady offering me her arm to guide me, was providing me with sighted guide assistance, which a person who is blind, may rely on.
Sighted guide is a means of navigation that is provided by a person who can see to a person who cannot. The sighted guide, while walking a step ahead, leads the person who is blind from point A to point B making sure they do not run the person they are leading into obstacles that are in their path. Not only does the sighted guide clear a path for themselves, they also need to clear it for the person they are guiding. Sighted guide is accomplished when the person who is blind holds the guide’s elbow or the upper arm just above it and then the pair walk together.
There are many things to watch out for to ensure the person you are guiding doesn’t run into. Things like mailboxes, trees, parking meters, etc. A guide will communicate to the person they are assisting that there is an obstacle and it’s direction. Also a guide will want to watch out for curbs and stairs. When coming upon curbs or steps, it is my experience that guides should approach the step squarely and not at an angle. If the curb is approached at an angle, at least half the time the person being led will get to the step first and may trip or fall. A great method when approaching the curb is to pause and the sighted guide goes first. As the guide’s arm moves up or down, the person who is following will feel that motion and know how high or deep the step. This makes navigating the curb seemless. The same awareness and actions apply for a flight of stairs, however, the guide will want to communicate that there is a flight of stairs ahead.
Doors can present a challenge of their own. People never seem to know how to handle this one. When walking through a door, there is no need for the sighted guide to hold the door open and try to swing the person they are guiding around their body to pass through the door first. If square dancing just popped into your mind, you may be onto something. This way of passing through a door is very awkward and there is an easier way. A much better approach to doors is if the guide opens the door and tells the person that is blind which side the door is on, left or right. Then, the person being guided can grab the door behind their guide, allowing the guide to let go of the door while the person who is blind holds the door as they both pass through easily.
If leading a person to an object such as a door or a chair, put the person’s hand on the object and let them orient themselves. For example, place the person’s hand on the back of the chair you have found for them to sit and let them seat themselves. There is no need to grab them by their arms and push them into the chair.
Sighted guide assistance is a valuable resource for people who are blind to navigate whether they are lost or just need to get somewhere in a hurry. These are some helpful ways as you help people who are blind and/or visually impaired navigate to their different paths. It is also a nice way to meet people. If the pair walk together a lot, they may develop a familiarity with each other that will allow them to walk places together and never have to interrupt their conversation when navigating the many obstacles along their path.