Ten Rules of Courtesy to the Blind

1. When you offer assistance to a blind person, do so directly. Just ask: "May I be of help?" Speak in a normal tone. Address him directly. This helps him locate you.
   
   

2. In guiding a blind person, permit him to take your arm. A nice way is to offer an arm and say: "Here's my left arm," or the right, as the case may be. He knows then how to take your arm and he will respond to your motion much as a dancer follows a partner. Never "grab" the blind person's arm as he can't anticipate your movements if you do.
   
   

3. In walking with a blind person, proceed at a normal pace; hesitate slightly before stepping up or down; don't drag him over the curb. After crossing a street, see that he is started straight in the direction he wants to take and caution him of any unusual obstructions ahead.
   
   

4. In giving directions, don't point. Say: "Three blocks ahead, cross the third intersection, turn left two-and-a-half blocks and the building is on your right." Don't identify street names. He can't read the signs. Don't use: "The tall white building" as a landmark; he can't see it.
   
   

5. In showing a blind person to a chair, place his hand on the back of the chair; don't try to push him into it. His touch will tell him the type, width, and height of the chair.
   
   

6. When serving food to a blind person who is eating without a sighted companion, offer to read the menu - including the price of each item. As you place each item on the table, call his attention to it, as: "Here's your water." If he wants you to cut up his food or serve it from a casserole or platter, he will request that help. It's never bad form to offer, however.
   
   

7. When conversing with a blind person, use normal terms as well as normal tones. He may greet you by saying: "It's nice to see you again." Speak directly to him; if your gaze wanders, your voice follows.
   
   

8. If making change in bills of more than one denomination, hand him the bills separately and identify each denomination as you hand it to him. This is not necessary with coins; he knows them by touch.
   
   

9. If you are a police officer, identify yourself as such when you approach a blind person; he may ask help from you that he would not from others.
   
   

10. Above all, don't pity him. Thousands are successful workers and many more are working toward independence through State-Federal programs of vocational rehabilitation.
    
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