About offering help, the best way is to ask if the person wants help. If the answer was positive then you can help. The thing that usually annoys us is when people help us without asking. For example, someone just grabbing us and pulling us to a direction that they think we want to go.

To get a blind person's attention I think it's better if you get close to the person and then start talking. In that case usually the blind person understands from the proximity of your voice that you are talking to them. If you have to talk to them from a distance jus use a polite phrase like "excuse me, blind lady/gentleman?"

I personally don't mind someone touching me on the shoulder for goodbye, but it's a personal thing. Some people may not like it. Also if you are a guy probably better not to do it to a blind woman.

Asking if somebody needs help is fine but please avoid just grabbing somebody or grabbing their cane etc.

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As far as a guide dog, when the dog is in harness, please do not touch the dog or talk to it as that can be very distracting for the dog. If the dog has his or her harness on, then they are working even if the dog has stopped walking.

Yes, offering help is nice. Sometimes blind people cannot see construction danger that's in their way or they may veer off course when crossing the street. Canes can only do so much. To get their attention, a touch to the elbow or side of the arm is OK. For dogs, you can't talk or interact with them since that will distract them and that can be dangerous for the blind person. Thank you for trying to help and reach out!

I just wanted to say that most people who are considered blind and who use a cane can actually see to some degree, just not very well. Blindness is a spectrum. So while one person ma need help crossing the street, another might not. Always ask if we need help before doing anything. The cane is used to detect obstacles and any changes in the ground, so yes we would be able to tell if we were about to step into sand, or grass, or even a hole. If you really think someone could be in danger I would say its better to do something if you can. Personally I think I would like it if someone helped me catch the right bus but everyone is different. I would say just say hello and ask do you need help catching the bus?
And go from there. :)

1- If I see a blind person waiting for the bus for example (I really feel a desire to be their friends and have a chat, I don't know why) what should I do first? Just introduce myself would be a nice way? Like “Hello!!! How are you? I’m Max” because I wonder if they will not like it or something, or maybe they will not sense that I’m talking to them, I mean, what is the best way to approach you for the first time?

\- I don't really think there is a catch-all answer for this one. Generally I would say , do what you would do to any other stranger. A good way to start might just be to call out a greeting and see if you get a response?

2- How would you like to be treated when you go outside, crossing a crosswalk, or wherever you go? If people offer you some help is that offensive in some way? Or you prefer to be left alone when you go out?

\- Generally, I would say don't help, at least initially. If you can see someone's obviously lost (walked back and forth on the same sbit of road several times, perhaps looking distressed) you can offer help, but take no for an answer if it is given; the person might be practicing or trying to find identifiable landmarks to learn a new route.

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3- If there is some type of construction being made and there is no signal of that and you are going direct to some amount of sand or something, would be important someone comes to you and tell it? Or you you could tell that by the white cane?

\- Again, this is pretty situational. Generally, the white cane SHOULD indicate this. However, if the person unknowingly walks under a sign or other demarcation that the white cane is not seeing, and the person is at risk of serious injury especially if thy appear distracted or walk rather quickly, calling out may not be a bad idea. Worst thing you'll get is an " I know, thanks".

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4- What you don't actually like when not blind people are talking to you?

\- I'm not sure if I understand the question correctly, do you mean what topics not to bring up?

5- Which situations I should not offer you help when you are out on the streets?

\- Generally that question is answered earlier already.Gnerally, sk if a person needs help if you think they are genuinely stuck or lost, but give time to make sure that is actually the case. In some cases the person might be trying to hail passer-bys, I'd say that is a pretty good indication they may need help.a

6- Which situations should I offer you help when you are out on the streets?

7- If you have a guide dog and I see you for the first time, can I talk also with your dog? I know that I can't pet them, right? I have to keep a certain distance from the dog, right?

\- This was already pointed out earlier in the thread, but essentially the dog should be considered as being not at all there until the owner tells you what to do or not to do. Talking, clicking at the dog, making eye contact etc. can all be distracting to a dog. Dogs love attention, especially the breeds that are often used for guide dogs, and thats why dog owners generally give the dog plenty of time to just be a dog and play with other dogs and other humans, but when harnessed, such distractions can be pretty dangerous. Even if the dog initiates contact, which they will at times; they aren't rrobots and enjoy attention, try to ignore it entirely , as engaging will make the dog jerk towards you, which will also jerk the person attached to it around. Dog will love it. Owner ...not so much. :)

8- If I’m going to say goodbye to you, would you mind if I gently put my hand on your shoulder twice or it is better not?

\- That is an odd way of saying goodbye to me, but perhaps its a Brasilian way of saying goodbye? here we tend to shake hands ...or well ...we did, and then 2020 happened ;)

I won't answer everything, as others have done a good job of covering your questions. By the way, thanks for taking the time to learn, rather than just assuming you know best. I've had someone grab my white cane and try to lead me by it. I'm very happy you're educating yourself before doing anything like that. :)

I wanted to touch on touching, because I think I have a different attitude than many. This may also be cultural; I'm in the United States, so keep that in mind. If someone wants to get my attention, speaking near me isn't generally enough, because I don't know if they are talking to me, or to someone else, or to a phone headset. I'm much happier if the person briefly touches my arm or shoulder or something, while speaking, as this clarifies things for me. For guiding, it's best to let me take your elbow; I'll follow about a step behind you, moving at your speed and shifting left or right as you do. Warn me of steps or curbs, because when I'm being guided, I will generally not be using my cane or dog. The cane can trip my guide, and the dog can't guide me while a person is doing the same thing.

Anyway, my point is that touching is fine in my book, so long as it's not excessive or inappropriate. For instance, I was at lunch at a restaurant with a large group once. Each time the waitress was addressing me, she'd briefly touch my back. It was incredibly nice, because I didn't have to endure the awkward pause after she looked at me and spoke, but I didn't know she was talking to me so didn't say anything. Just a quick tap, and there was no confusion.

That said, everyone is different, and there are plenty of reasons someone may prefer to not be touched at all. Again, too, there's culture. But in my book, removing ambiguity and confusion with a quick touch is something that's done often enough.

it's okay to ofer help. It's not okay to push or pull me or grab my arm. It's fucking scary when people do that.

Just writing to say how much I appreciate you hopping on here and asking the questions you have, and I intend to answer all of them the best that I can, if no one has by the time I am back/ able to sit down and write a reply.

Just be considerate as you are being in asking all these questions, don't make a big deal about the blindness and you are bound to do good, more often than not.

Cheers once again mate.

Hahaha que bom encontrar uma conterrânea por aqui!

Muito valiosa a informação de bater a bengala no chão, prestarei mais atenção nisso.

E poxa sério que tem gente que sai sem falar nada?

Bom saber da questão do cumprimento, porque geralmente o Brasileiro já tem esse ato por questões culturais, mas com alguém que possui essas condições visuais deve ser mesmo muito desconfortável!

Makik, muito obrigada, vou te chamar para perguntas mais uma ou duas coisinhas se n se importar rs!


Obrigado mais uma vez e um bomm dia!!

Thanks Darius!

Those details were really interesting for me.

Thanks for your help! Have a good one!

Thanks for letting me know about it!

What if I’m a friend of a blind person and he or she invites me to their house!
In this situation, I can talk and pet the dog, or still, I should not?

Thx :)