Ability Forum

[srividyaa]

“Sighted guide” is a set of techniques used by a sighted or skilled
visually impaired person to safely guide a blind or visually impaired
person while traveling.  Below are tips to keep in mind when using
this method or when teaching another how to use it properly.

Basic Orientation and Procedure:
•    Others should ask you if you need sighted guide assistance—it is
your choice to make.
•    Use your white cane in conjunction with the sighted guide technique.
•    Take the arm of your sighted guide, not the other way around.
•    Gently grasp their arm just above the elbow.
•    Walk a half step behind them and slightly to the side so that you
can follow their body movements.
•    Have the sighted guide walk on the side of you that is most
comfortable to you.
•    The sighted guide should verbally inform you of obstacles in your
way such as curbs, stairs, and other things in your path.

Navigating Stairs:
•    When walking up and down stairs, stay behind your sighted guide,
holding the railing as well as your guide.
•    The sighted guide should stop or pause at the start of stairways and
let you know if they are going up or down.  They should also stop or
pause at the end of the stairs.
•    If it will make you feel more comfortable, you can ask the sighted
guide to tell you how many stairs to expect.

Navigating Doorways:
•    When going through doors, the sighted guide should say if the door
is being pulled or pushed open and what side it is on.
•    At revolving doors, the sighted guide should stop the door with the
partition in the middle of the entryway.  They should then place your
hand on the partition so you know where to get in.  The sighted guide
then gets in on the other side of the partition, leading you.  Once
through, the sighted guide should step out and be ready to meet up
with you on the other side.
•    The white cane can be used to trail the inside of the revolving
door.  When you feel a break in the doorframe, you know you are in the
open section on the other side of the door.

Navigating Tight Spaces:
•    In narrow places, the sighted guide should move their guiding arm
behind them so that their hand is at the small of their back.  Slide
your hand down to their wrist and step in behind them so you can
travel single-file through the space.  When it opens up again, the
sighted guide should move their arm back into the correct position
while you slide your hand back up to just above their elbow.

General Orientation and Mobility Tips to Remember:
Trailing – Place your hand on the wall or the back of furniture and
follow the line to help you travel smoothly through the space.
•    Dropped Items – If you bend over to pick something up, remember to
protect your head from hitting other objects.
•    Cabinets – Keep cabinet doors closed if not in use to avoid head injuries.
•    Doors – Keep doors completely open or closed, not at angles that you
may run into.  If a door leads to a stairwell heading downstairs,
always keep it shut to avoid falling.
•    Handrails – Use handrails when available for stability and to avoid
missing steps.
•    Unfamiliar Surroundings – When entering a new room or area, ask your
sighted guide to help orientate you by walking you around and verbally
describing what is there.

“Sighted guide” is a set of techniques used by a sighted or skilled
visually impaired person to safely guide a blind or visually impaired
person while traveling.  Below are tips to keep in mind when using
this method or when teaching another how to use it properly.

Basic Orientation and Procedure:
•    Others should ask you if you need sighted guide assistance—it is
your choice to make.
•    Use your white cane in conjunction with the sighted guide technique.
•    Take the arm of your sighted guide, not the other way around.
•    Gently grasp their arm just above the elbow.
•    Walk a half step behind them and slightly to the side so that you
can follow their body movements.
•    Have the sighted guide walk on the side of you that is most
comfortable to you.
•    The sighted guide should verbally inform you of obstacles in your
way such as curbs, stairs, and other things in your path.

Navigating Stairs:
•    When walking up and down stairs, stay behind your sighted guide,
holding the railing as well as your guide.
•    The sighted guide should stop or pause at the start of stairways and
let you know if they are going up or down.  They should also stop or
pause at the end of the stairs.
•    If it will make you feel more comfortable, you can ask the sighted
guide to tell you how many stairs to expect.

Navigating Doorways:
•    When going through doors, the sighted guide should say if the door
is being pulled or pushed open and what side it is on.
•    At revolving doors, the sighted guide should stop the door with the
partition in the middle of the entryway.  They should then place your
hand on the partition so you know where to get in.  The sighted guide
then gets in on the other side of the partition, leading you.  Once
through, the sighted guide should step out and be ready to meet up
with you on the other side.
•    The white cane can be used to trail the inside of the revolving
door.  When you feel a break in the doorframe, you know you are in the
open section on the other side of the door.

Navigating Tight Spaces:
•    In narrow places, the sighted guide should move their guiding arm
behind them so that their hand is at the small of their back.  Slide
your hand down to their wrist and step in behind them so you can
travel single-file through the space.  When it opens up again, the
sighted guide should move their arm back into the correct position
while you slide your hand back up to just above their elbow.

General Orientation and Mobility Tips to Remember:
Trailing – Place your hand on the wall or the back of furniture and
follow the line to help you travel smoothly through the space.
•    Dropped Items – If you bend over to pick something up, remember to
protect your head from hitting other objects.
•    Cabinets – Keep cabinet doors closed if not in use to avoid head injuries.
•    Doors – Keep doors completely open or closed, not at angles that you
may run into.  If a door leads to a stairwell heading downstairs,
always keep it shut to avoid falling.
•    Handrails – Use handrails when available for stability and to avoid
missing steps.
•    Unfamiliar Surroundings – When entering a new room or area, ask your
sighted guide to help orientate you by walking you around and verbally
describing what is there.

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[WildKat]

I've been blind since birth and was taught to bend down using my knees instead of bending at the waist to find something I've dropped because this helps avoid contact with any tables or other things that you may bump your head on.

These were all very good tips.  Awhile ago I found a video by Guide Dogs, UK that did a very good job at explaining and showing how to guide someone who is blind in different situations.  I thought it explained the sighted guide technique very well compared to a lot of other videos or literature, and had the added benefit of showing how it was done for the people who wanted to learn.

When going through doorways it's also a good idea for the sighted guide to move their guiding arm behind them.  This positions the person who is being guided in the frame of the open doorway instead of in front of the wall.

I've been blind since birth and was taught to bend down using my knees instead of bending at the waist to find something I've dropped because this helps avoid contact with any tables or other things that you may bump your head on.

These were all very good tips.  Awhile ago I found a video by Guide Dogs, UK that did a very good job at explaining and showing how to guide someone who is blind in different situations.  I thought it explained the sighted guide technique very well compared to a lot of other videos or literature, and had the added benefit of showing how it was done for the people who wanted to learn.

When going through doorways it's also a good idea for the sighted guide to move their guiding arm behind them.  This positions the person who is being guided in the frame of the open doorway instead of in front of the wall.