Do you have any advice for guiding a person with sight loss?
There are many ways to guide someone and you should always ask the person you’re guiding what they’d prefer and let them know of what you’re doing. When approaching someone who looks like they need some help, its good to keep in mind that they will likely have been guided many times before so will know what works for them.
Offering to guide someone will often be welcomed, but there are many reasons why someone may decline your help. They may have reasons around culture, gender or personal space, or just be orientating themselves in an unfamiliar place. Sometimes they may not need guiding but just need to know where they are to orientate themselves.
It’s important to remember that guide dogs are working animals, so you should ask the owner of a guide dog before you touch their dog or distract them. If someone has a white cane with red bands or a guide dog with a red and white harness this 5 means they have sight loss and hearing loss. Be sure to stand in front of them and speak clearly when you introduce yourself.
RNIB's Guiding a blind or partially sighted person webpage offers suggestions for guiding safely and sensibly.
Guide Dogs offer friends and family practical group training which can give you the skills and knowledge you need to confidently and safely guide a family member or close companion. The course also gives more information about different eye conditions to help give a better understanding and insight. Further information including a range of short videos with advice on how to guide someone in different situations such as getting in and out of a car, going through a doorway, travelling by bus or train, can be found on Guide Dogs website.
Your local society for blind or partially sighted people may also run courses and should be able to give you some pointers about guiding.
You can find your nearest local society on the Sightline Directory by entering your postcode and the search words 'local society'.
