Ten ways to accompany the blind and visually impaired

We have written down a few tips for you, but you will see for yourself that it is all very logical! You don't have to worry if a mischievous wind blows any of them off your head, nothing will happen. Blind and partially sighted people will definitely guide you and tell you what help they need – whether to accompany you on a walk, describe the way to the nearest gypsy roast, read when the next concert starts, etc.

How to do it?

Etiquette-non-etiquette, for a person with a disability be the first to callAlthough the rules of etiquette say that the younger person should greet first, this does not apply here - the blind or visually impaired may not notice you. If you see someone who needs your help, approach them and speak to them: "Hello, I'm a BKIS volunteer. Can I help you in any way?"
A visually impaired person will tell you what they need and how, but they may refuse you. That's perfectly fine - it means they know where to go, what's around them, and maybe they have a navigation system on their phone to guide them.
It is likely that blind people (and some visually impaired people) will grab you. This will happen if you accompany them for a short distance. You can walk under their arm, they can grab you under your elbow or by the shoulder (if they are significantly taller than you, for example). They probably won't grab your hand - it's not very comfortable for the escort, and you're not in such a close relationship. Under no circumstances should you catch a blind or visually impaired person. Sooner or later, he would get a step or two ahead of you and you would start pushing him in front of you, willy-nilly. It's quite dangerous - a blind person doesn't know what's in front of him, so he can hurt himself, and you might not notice stairs, low posts, etc. from behind him. Sometimes it happens that people pull blind people by the white cane, but we know that you wouldn't think of that.
When accompanying a blind or partially sighted person, Walk next to him, but preferably half a step ahead of him. But if you have the right grip, it will definitely work itself out.
If you see a group of people with visual impairments (a few blind people accompanied by partially sighted people), it will also be very pleasant for them if you speak to them and ask if they need help.
Remember that by law can a guide dog enter anywhere. Really anywhere, including shops, restaurants, and church. At the same time, keep in mind that if he's on a harness and leading his master, he's at work. So don't distract him, pet him, or feed him.
In case the blind or visually impaired will need a route description, Try to be as specific as possible. Words like “this way” or “behind that house” are relatively incomprehensible because they are often accompanied by a hand gesture or head movement. Specify the route, for example, as follows: “Continue straight for about 50 meters.”, “When you come to the end of the street, where two young people are playing guitar, turn left.”, “To the right of the stall where they do gypsy music, there is the entrance to the shop you are looking for.” Use as many landmarks as you can hear (live bands, recordings with carols, stage with program, etc.), to feel (bumpy historic paving, smooth sidewalk, etc.) or feel (goodies stalls, restaurants, etc.).
In the interview you don't have to avoid any commonly used words. Even blind people say that they saw a film, that they viewed an exhibition in a museum, they are also happy to see someone, and they say "goodbye" to you. Of course, they heard the film, they caught the exhibits in the museum, they are happy to have met someone, but using such formulations is unnatural and it greatly isolates people with visual impairments from society, it greatly divides them into "us" and "you". Feel free to use these words too - on the one hand, it will be more pleasant for all parties, and on the other hand, you will not get tired of formulating sentences and looking for alternatives.
When you run off to find out something, Tell the blind person that you are leaving. so that he doesn't continue the conversation and you're gone. Also let him know when you'll be back.
Blind and visually impaired point out interesting things around. When you accompany them for a bit, feel free to tell them what stands you pass, that they are just setting up a small stage here because a public discussion is starting in half an hour, that around the corner Bratislava residents can make tree decorations from šúpoli, etc. Even if the entire center was hung with this information, it is possible that no one read this information to them - and they, of course, could not read it themselves. Even if something changes in the city, e.g. that a public transport stop is moved due to the program, be sure to inform them about it.
Enjoy meeting people with visual impairments. They are exactly the same people as you, only they see poorly or cannot see at all. Just like you, they have to go to school, they also like to read, they go to the theater (they even founded the Zrakáč Theater in Bratislava), they also run (they are connected to the guide by an ordinary hair tie threaded over one finger), they go swimming (you can still keep your direction according to the tracks), they cook, bake, crochet, are home handymen, they work (as teachers, journalists, managers, interpreters, even programmers). Just like you, they fly in the clouds when they are in love, they also have the same student life as you, they also raise children, they also argue with their husbands and wives.