I’ve always been confused by this and usually just step to the side and give the blind person a little more room. But what SHOULD I do? If a blind person seems to be navigating pretty well, I usually just go on about my business but what about when they get to an intersection, obstacles, busy crowd? As a good citizen should I offer to help them out for a block or two? Would they resent this or be grateful? Would I be breaking their rhythm/counting?
I’ve noticed that when a blind person walks by, some people stop and stare - one part amazed, one part waiting for an accident to happen. People also seem to go quiet as they stare so I guess it must be obvious to the blind person - but then, only a few times have I seen a blind person ask for help, and usually this is in the metro/subway.
I guess the answer is “use common sense”, but does anybody have any experience with this?
If you’re passing a blind person don’t walk too quietly. Don’t make obviously more noise, either, but do make some. If you’re too quiet they can’t hear you, don’t know you’re there, and the chances of a collision are greatly enhanced. What makes no noise is “invisible” to the blind.
Contrary to what many suppose, most blind people are not completely blind - they have some vision, just not enough to rely on it for navigation.
For the most part, don’t treat them any different than other folks - if they start to wander into moving traffic say something, if they ask for help give it, but most blind folks in famillar territory do quite well without assistance. In fact, I used to work with a blind man and asked him for directions because the man almost never got lost.
Powers106, when I was in college and lived on campus, I used to walk to and from class every day on the same path as a blind student.
She had a Seeing-Eye dog, which may change the conditions of the OP too much. Still, common sense should prevail in most instances. One thing I tried to specifically avoid was walking right up behind her (within 3-4 feet). If I was catching up to her, I’d move off to the side a ways, or I’d cut through some grass or something.
Also, a good lesson for kids – the Seeing-Eye dog has a job to do. While the dog often likes attention and being petted, and sometimes the blind person doesn’t mind, don’t take liberties. Too much playtime with the pooch can delay the blind person from getting to their destination in a timely manner.
If you’re guiding a blind person, offer them your elbow rather than grabbing theirs. Most of the blind I’ve known would rather follow than feel like they’re being shoved ahead.
Also, if you’re giving directions to someone with a guide dog, check to see if the dog’s trained for escalators (if there are any on the route). This requires special training for some dogs, because the fur on the bottoms of their feet can get caught in the treads of the escalator. Ouch.
More specifically, when the dog is in harness, it is in work mode and should not be distracted. ALWAYS ask the owner’s permission before approaching a service dog of any kind. And respect their wishes if they ask you not to interact with the dog.
Last summer a man in a wheelchair rolled into my sales booth at a festival with his dog. The dog was not “in uniform.” I commented on the lovely dog and asked whether the dog “was on salary” or was just a pet. Turns out the dog was his assist dog but “had the day off” – and accepted my petting.
Mr. S, on the other hand, loves dogs so much that he has a hard time resisting the urge to approach them. I had to work at educating him on service dog etiquette, and now he knows to ask permission, and only when the dog is not actively working.
It’s not a bad idea to say “Hello” and other pleasantries when you meet or overtake the blind on the street. Nothing special, just a “hey, how are you today…” I don’t remember where I read that, but when I do that, I always seem to get an almost startled smile and a look of surprise. Seems like a lot of people are too busy pointing or staring or ignoring them in awkward embarrasment or even guilt.
I still can’t seem to feel comfortable around a child in a wheelchair, though. It really makes my problems in life seem awfull goddam trite in comparison, sort of a smack in the face on a monday morning and I feel so sad that there isn’t a damn thing I or anyone else can do about it. Such is life, I guess.