The GESI Corner

Tips for aiding people with visual impairment

 Dear readers, it’s another month again and time for our GESI Corner!  We would be continuing our session on aiding people with visual impairment. As highlighted last month we need to be guided by the three (3) ‘A’s (Approach, Ask and Assist) when aiding visually impaired persons.

Today, we would be focusing in detail the processes involved in Assisting a visually impaired person.
Let’s take a look at this scenario…you have arrived at a Conference venue, the program is yet to start hence participants are chit chatting at the ground floor. Thirty minutes after your arrival an announcement is made about the commencement of the programme and those participants are to move to the auditorium located on the first floor.  You see a visually impaired person trying to make his/her way to the auditorium without assistance. You want to offer assistance or support to this individual and wondering how to go about it.

As discussed last month, this is what you would need to do…
Approach (get closer) and introduce yourself and ask if s/he needs help. When s/he responds in the affirmative (yes) proceed with the steps outlined below:
1. Gently touch the back of the person’s hand with your own as an indication for them to take your arm (officially, it is not advisable for people assisting visual impairment to hold hands). Once that is done, inform the person the numbers of steps you are going to take before you get to the staircase or elevator.

Note: Stop walking before you approach obstacles or unusual terrain so that you have time to describe them to the person you’re guiding. For example if there are cars packed on the way, or there is a gutter, stop for a second and describe with the person before you move on. In this scenario for instance there could be flower pots/sculptures doted around the ground floor or lobby and you need to describe them to the person you are aiding. 

2. Agree on the signal to use when about to climb the staircase or enter the elevator e.g. gentle pressure of your hands on his/her thumb or verbal alert.
3. On reaching the stair case/elevator describe the architecture to him/her.   
4. Always prompt when someone is bypassing or joining the elevator or staircase respectively.
5. Once you enter the auditorium describe the environment to him/her e.g. arrangement of tables and chairs, location of restrooms, exists including emergency exists.
6. Let him/her tell you where s/he would like to seat and proceed to guide to the seat if seating is random. However, in situations where seats have been allocated (name tags) give a heads up to the visually impaired of this arrangement before seating him/her. At the point where the person with visual impairment is about to sit, it is advisable to place his/her hands on top of the part of the seat that supports the back.  
7. Once seated ask him or her if they require further assistance with any other thing. If s/he says he is fine, tell him/her you are moving to your seat. Hand him/her over to the nearest person including the ushers and take your leave.

Remember your approach to the individual is key in showing respect! No one would like to accept assistance from someone s/he does not feel comfortable around.        
Hahaha…I guess you are wondering if that’s all, yes my dear reader, that’s all! Very simple right! Now you know exactly how to assist the visually impaired in any situation!
This is where we draw the curtains on today’s tit bits.

Join us again next month on the GESI Corner.