When You Interact with Someone with Vision Loss
Please treat a person with vision loss the same as you would anyone else, but keep these ten points in mind:
- Ask first, if you think they may need assistance.
- Offer your elbow to escort a person to their destination. Never pull someone’s arm or grab their clothing. Learn more about Human Guide on this tip sheet.
- Let the person know about any potential danger in a calm voice, giving specific information.
- Give specific directions such as “to the right” and not “over there.”
- Use audible cues such as tapping on a chair to show where it is or describing obstacles being passed.
- Speak in a normal tone of voice.
- Talk to the person, not to their companion.
- Tell the person when you enter or leave the room.
- Use words like “look” and “see” just as you would with a sighted person.
- Ask before you move any personal items.