Often, when we meet someone who is different from ourselves, we feel unsure about how to relate to them. We want to make them comfortable and put them at ease, but sometimes we don't know the best way to do this. Disability Services has a handy document with tips for working with students who experience disabilities.
You may also find the following "Courtesy Rules of Blindness" from Blind.net to be helpful.
When you meet me don't be ill at ease. It will help both of us if you
remember these simple points of courtesy:
- I'm an ordinary person, just blind. You don't need to raise your voice or
address me as if I were a child. Don't ask my spouse what I want--"Cream
in the coffee?"--ask me.
- I may use a long white cane or a guide dog to walk independently; or I may
ask to take your arm. Let me decide, and please don't grab my arm; let me take
yours. I'll keep a half-step behind to anticipate curbs and steps.
- I want to know who's in the room with me. Speak when you enter. Introduce
me to the others including children, and tell me if there's a cat or dog.
- The door to a room or cabinet or to a car that is left partially open is a
hazard to me.
- At dinner I will not have trouble with ordinary table skills.
- Don't avoid words like "see." I use them too. I'm always glad to
see you.
- I don't want pity, but don't talk about the "wonderful
compensations" of blindness. My sense of smell, taste, touch or hearing
did not improve when I became blind, I rely on them more and, therefore, may
get more information through those senses than you do--that's all.
- If I'm your houseguest, show me the bathroom, closet, dresser, window--the
light switch too. I like to know whether the lights are on or off.
- I'll discuss blindness with you if you're curious, but it's an old story
to me. I have as many other interests as you do.
- Don't think of me as just a blind person. I'm just a person who happens to
be blind.
- You don't need to remember some "politically correct" term,
"visually impaired", "sight challenged" etc. Keep it
simple and honest, just say blind.
In all 50 states the law requires drivers to yield the right of way when
they see my extended white cane. Only the blind may carry white canes. You see
more blind persons today walking alone, not because there are more of us, but
because we have learned to make our own way.