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Often,
people with vision loss need some assistance with walking safely
outside their familiar environment. Perhaps a friend or family member
may try to help by holding your hand or having you rest your hand on
his or her shoulder. While well intended, these methods are NOT safe
and can lead to accidents. The following skills are designed to help
you and your guide maximize safety and efficiency when walking
together.
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Family members can easily act as a sighted guide.
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General
Position
Hold
your guide's arm just above the elbow with your thumb on the outside
of the guide's arm and your fingers wrapped over the arm to the other
side (as if you are holding a soda can). The grip should be firm
enough so that you don't lose contact with the guide, but not so firm
that the guide is uncomfortable.
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A person with vision loss grips the sighted guide's arm just above the elbow.
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Your
guide should walk a half step in front of you and to the side. Your
left foot should be in line with the guide's right, or vice versa
depending on where you are comfortable. As you begin to walk, your
guide should always remain in front, explaining the terrain ahead.
Maintain verbal contact throughout.
Narrow
Spaces
If
the two of you are approaching a narrow space, your guide should
signal the change by putting his hand behind his back. You then move
to a position directly behind your guide and slide your hand down to the guide's wrist.
Curbs,
Stairs and Other Drop Offs
When
approaching the drop off, your guide should stop with his or her toes
close to the drop off and announce: "Curb up," or "Stairs
going down." Then, the guide should step forward and allow you
to find the stair or curb with your toes. If there is a handrail,
your guide should always position you on the side of the handrail and
let you know where it is so you may use it.
When
traveling down stairs, you should remain one step behind your guide.
Ask your guide to use a rhythm as you both take the drop off so that
when the guide steps with his/her right foot, you do the same.
When
approaching the end of the stairs, the guide should signal, "Last
step." This lets you know that there's no need to raise or lower
your foot for an additional step.
Tell
your guide that it's helpful to know how many steps are involved—such
as, "We are going to go up three steps." Or, "We are
going down several steps and I will tell you when we get to the last
one."
Doors
When
going through a door, you will need to know two things from your
guide: 1) Does the door open to the right or to the left? and 2) Does
the door open out or in? If the door opens on the right, you should
be on the guide's right side. If the door opens on the left, you
should be on the guide's left side. This may require a change of
sides.
Use
the upper body protection technique to locate
the doorway. If the door is
closed, your guide should open it and you can then locate the
doorknob and keep the door open as you both pass through, shutting it
behind you.
Tip
Sheet for the Sighted (Human) Guide
If
your spouse or other family member functions as your primary guide
when you travel, it's very important that he or she be trained by a
licensed O&M specialist. In the meantime, here are some tips
every sighted guide should know:
1.
When approaching someone with vision loss who appears to need help,
ask, "Do you need assistance?" Do not assume the person
needs help. Typically, people with vision loss know where they are
going and do not need assistance.
2.
If the person does need assistance, touch the back of your hand to
the back of the person's hand. (Announce that you are going to
do this first.) This gives the person an idea of where your arm is
located.
3.
Ask, "Where do you need to go?"
4.
Do not leave the person you're guiding in the middle of an open area.
Guide him or her to the final destination before letting go, and tell
the person you are leaving.
5.
Act as the person's eyes. Remember, he or she is counting on you to
provide accurate information about the environment. Announce
obstacles, such as a curb, stairs, or
other danger points, before getting to them.
6.
Remember to frequently check over your shoulder on the side
that the person is walking on for potential obstructions and other
danger points.
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