If you are meeting a visually impaired person for the first time, you may wonder how to behave. The obvious advice 'behave normally' may not be much help. Here are some suggestions, gleaned mostly from blind people, to put you and your friends at ease.

About Visually Impaired People

Blind people come from all sorts of backgrounds. There are blind sportsmen and women, gardeners and chess players, teachers and typists, lawyers and housewives, computer programmers and physiotherapists, social workers and telephonists. Some blind people are young, many are elderly because most lose their sight as they grow older.

Communication

Talk naturally. Don't talk down, or address all your remarks to a companion as though the person were not there. Don't be afraid to say 'nice to see you'. Visually Impaired people say it too. The words to avoid are the pitying and sentimental ones like 'Oh, poor thing, what a terrible affliction'.

When you go up to a visually impaired person and say hello, say who you are in case he or she doesn't recognise your voice. Address him or her by name, if you know it. If not a light touch will indicate who you are speaking to. Before you move away say that you are about to leave. Anyone feels foolish talking to an empty space.

Out and About

Many visually impaired people appreciate help to cross a road or find a shop. If your offer of help is rejected don't feel snubbed. The next blind per son you come across will probably welcome your assistance. First, ask if you can help. Then walk slightly in front with the visually impaired person holding your arm. If you are helping a visually impaired person to get into a car, say which way it is facing, and place the person's hand on the roof over the open door. If you are guiding a visually impaired person on to a bus or train, you should go first. Never push the person in front of you.

Remember: you should always warn a visually impaired person if you are approaching a flight of steps or a slope, and always say whether it goes up or down.

Indoors

Don't worry too much about delicate furniture or ornaments. Most visually impaired people move about without leaving a trail of destruction behind them. Show the visually impaired person around the room and describe the furniture as you pass it, mentioning any head-level hazards.

To help the visitor into a chair, put his or her hand on the arm or back of the chair and the person will be able to find the way to the seat. Don't leave doors half open and don't leave things lying around on the floor when a visually impaired person is visiting you. If you are the visitor, don't move anything unless absolutely necessary and if you have to move something remember to say where you have put it.

When you visit invite a visually impaired person for a meal say what the food is when you serve it and where you are putting it on the place i.e. carrots at 10 o'clock potatoes at half past etc. Don't fill cups or glasses right to the brim very full cups are easy to spill. If you are serving a bony piece of fish, offer to debone it. Otherwise, your visitor will tell you if any help is needed - usually he or she will manage alone quite happily.