Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Would love some advice on the best way to help someone who is visually empaired or blind. (self.Blind)
submitted by triceratoss92
Today I was coming out of the train on the subway and a woman who was visually empaired or blind was holding on to the outside of the railing to the stairs and nervously asking if there were stairs there. It was very loud and she was having trouble hearing me so I reached for her hand and was trying to tell her I could help her get up the stairs. In the moment I was just trying to help, but she shook my hand away and held back on to the railing. I realize now it must have been pretty jarring for her, not expecting a stranger to grab her hand, but she kept walking and couldn't hear me very well and I panicked and didn't know how else to help. I eventually helped her get up the stairs to familiar territory but struggled trying to use the right words to help and I didn't want to scare her again by reaching for her. I would really love some advice on the best way to handle this situation in the future. I wanted to be respectful of her and her independence and privacy, but she seemed shaken that she had gone up the wrong set of stairs and so I also wanted to help. Any advice or recommendations would really be appreciated.
Amonwilde 6 points 4y ago
Generally you're not supposed to touch, but sounds like she couldn't hear you and was asking for help. Think you did the best thing under the circumstances but if you can avoid touching then definitely avoid it until after you've had a verbal communication.
jrs12 5 points 4y ago
Sounds like it was a rough day for her. It also sounds like you were trying your best. Best practice is to always ask if you don't know. Things like "How can I help you?" And "what do you need?" Can help make sure she is getting only what she wants. When helping, be as descriptive as possible with words. "The railing is three feet in front of you slightly to your right." "These are the stairs going up to first street." "I'm headed that way. Would you like to walk together?"
Laser_Lens_4 5 points 4y ago
Yeah don't grab a blind person before asking them. They're liable to punch you since they have no idea what's happening.
mallorypallory 4 points 4y ago
Well first thing...ask if she needs help before you assume she does. She may have very well needed help, but you don't know that for sure. "Do you need any help?" BEFORE touching her at all. If someone with vision was standing on the corner looking lost, you wouldn't just go up and grab them, right? It's the same. I get that it was loud, but it still needs to be done before touching anyone.
If she then tells you she would like help going upstairs, you can have her hold onto the rail with one hand and have her hold the back of your elbow with her other. Being a human guide, you don't want to be holding hands. Then you would both go at the same time, but try to read her pace. You don't want to be going too fast or too slow.
If she then tells you she would like help going upstairs, you can have her hold onto the rail with one hand and have her hold the back of your elbow with her other. Being a human guide, you don't want to be holding hands. Then you would both go at the same time, but try to read her pace. You don't want to be going too fast or too slow.
triceratoss92 [OP] 2 points 4y ago
Thank you so much! She was asking if there were stairs there so I made the assumption, but I should have asked first of course. I definitely panicked. She just kept walking even though she seemed confused as to where she was and my first instinct was to reach out. Thank you for the advice!
mallorypallory 2 points 4y ago
I totally understand! She may have been unable to detect stairs but if she knew they were ahead in her path she could have anticipated them and accessed independently. Everyone is different!
ENTJ351 2 points 4y ago
Yeah, I don’t think you did anything wrong, but of course the more PC way to do things is never touch unless you ask. I am very non-pc and if you grab me if gentle enough I will prompt or ask questions. I am also much more gentle and don’t mind those sorts of things but many blind people will.
ControllerD 2 points 4y ago
If you’re in a very loud environment, where it can be difficult to communicate prior to contact, a gentle touch on the upper arm or shoulder is usually the recommended method of opening communication. It will let the VI person know someone is trying to communicate with them, without being as physical as a grab, and will allow you an opportunity to speak closer to the persons ear rather than shouting across the corridor.
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