Do you have any advice about working with blind or partially sighted colleagues?
There are lots of things you can do to make a blind or partially sighted persons working environment comfortable, such as:
- Ask if they need help and how, particularly if it seems to be needed, but avoid asking personal, medical questions about their eye condition.
- Introduce yourself by name when you begin speaking to them, as this can be helpful. It is often difficult for people with sight loss to recognise other people, and can be embarrassing when they don't know who they are speaking to.
- Remember to acknowledge any blind or partially sighted colleagues when walking around the workplace, as they may be unable to notice you.
- Likewise, let them know when you leave their presence, as it will save them the embarrassment of speaking to someone who is no longer there.
- Be mindful that a colleague might need help introducing themselves to other team members when entering a room, or finding their way around new places. For example, some eye conditions can cause a person to become completely blind when entering a room with different lighting, even though they might have some useful vision at other times.
Further information, can be found on RNIB's Employers webpages.
