Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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How to offer help in office navigation? (self.Blind)
submitted by keylimesoda
An acquaintance at work today came into a tightly packed meeting room. I guided him to a chair by subtly knocking near the spot on the desk and with the help of his guide dog he took the cue and found a seat with no issues.
On the way out, I was behind him and he ran his hips hard into the corner of the desk (ouch). I then saw him heading for the doorway, but the door was half open and he was heading straight into the door. Since I was still behind him, I grabbed his shoulders to try to guide him away from the open door, but he hit it right in his forehead and then yelled at me to get my hands off him.
I felt sick that in my instinct to help that I had upset or embarrassed him in some way, and I failed to even help.
So, here’s my question(s): how much help is appropriate to offer for a blind acquaintance in an office setting who is having trouble navigating? What’s the right way to offer or to help? Is it rude to grab someone who is going to run into something?
On the way out, I was behind him and he ran his hips hard into the corner of the desk (ouch). I then saw him heading for the doorway, but the door was half open and he was heading straight into the door. Since I was still behind him, I grabbed his shoulders to try to guide him away from the open door, but he hit it right in his forehead and then yelled at me to get my hands off him.
I felt sick that in my instinct to help that I had upset or embarrassed him in some way, and I failed to even help.
So, here’s my question(s): how much help is appropriate to offer for a blind acquaintance in an office setting who is having trouble navigating? What’s the right way to offer or to help? Is it rude to grab someone who is going to run into something?
Sarinon 5 points 4y ago
I know it's really tricky. As a rule, the ideal is to not only ask if he wants help, but also ask what form that help should take. Tapping on a desk probably didn't help as much as you think. A better way would be to call his name so he knows where you are, then say there's a seat here if you want it.
Also, it's important to remember that these situations are awkward at best and sometimes even terrifying and embarassing. The only time I'm okay being grabbed by a stranger is to save me from serious harm.
Everyone does it differently but his dog and some careful feeling around should have told him the door wasn't fully open. Either he was rushing or too embarassed or proud to be cautious. Someone making a big deal of trying to help doesn't make those feelings better, it may make them worse.
So just chill. A bonk on the noggin may actually be preferable to being manhandled, and a genuine offer of help without assumption may go a long way.
Also an apology. Good intentions only get you so far.
Also, it's important to remember that these situations are awkward at best and sometimes even terrifying and embarassing. The only time I'm okay being grabbed by a stranger is to save me from serious harm.
Everyone does it differently but his dog and some careful feeling around should have told him the door wasn't fully open. Either he was rushing or too embarassed or proud to be cautious. Someone making a big deal of trying to help doesn't make those feelings better, it may make them worse.
So just chill. A bonk on the noggin may actually be preferable to being manhandled, and a genuine offer of help without assumption may go a long way.
Also an apology. Good intentions only get you so far.
keylimesoda [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Good call. I sent an apology over email today. I felt awful about the situation. It was an instinctual response, but it was disrespectful of his personal space. I appreciate the understanding folks have shared here.
PungentMushrooms 2 points 4y ago
Ouf sounds like that guy had a bad day...
Unless you're doing it to save a person's life, you shouldn't manhandle blind people like that. I would rather take a small bump to the Head then a stranger touching me from behind.
It's always better to ask the person if they need help and how you can help them.
Unless you're doing it to save a person's life, you shouldn't manhandle blind people like that. I would rather take a small bump to the Head then a stranger touching me from behind.
It's always better to ask the person if they need help and how you can help them.
bradley22 2 points 4y ago
Let me ask you this.
If you couldn’t see anything and these hands come out of nowhere, and grab your shoulders, how would you feel?
I’d recommend asking the person if they’d like help.
If you couldn’t see anything and these hands come out of nowhere, and grab your shoulders, how would you feel?
I’d recommend asking the person if they’d like help.
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