Themes:
Privilege direct contact, speak naturally, without taboos and without raising your voice more than reason, offer help but do not impose it … In 20 pages, the guide ” Know-how, know how to guide ”, Published by the National Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired (Unadev), reveals the basics of the universal guide technique. Explicit illustrations complement these writings to understand, at a glance, the attitude to adopt in the company of a visually impaired person. The objective: to facilitate contact and avoid misunderstandings and embarrassing situations. ” You see ? “
No taboo words
“Stop prejudice!” “, announces the guide in the preamble. ” When speaking to a visually impaired person, there are no taboo words ”, he specifies. Useless, therefore, to banish from one’s vocabulary expressions like “ You know what I mean “, “ I’ll take a look at it “ or “Qu have you watched on tv “, which she also uses. Another practical advice that applies to all types of disability: address the blind person directly and not their companions. As a reminder, “ the visual handicap has no effect on the mental faculties, it will therefore be able to answer you directly ”. “Remember to touch her arm lightly to get her attention or to call her by his first name or last name if you know her. Likewise, in return, remember to introduce yourself or yourself when you meet her to avoid her playing guessing games Recommends the guide.
Guide and not tow
Each person being different, both in terms of their visual abilities and their support needs, it is necessary to ask them if they need help and by what means. A simple ” Hello can i help You ? Should be enough. ” Then ask her if she prefers to take your arm, follow you by locating your figure or trusting your voice Advises the booklet. This is when the word “guide” becomes very important … “ It is up to the visually impaired person to take your arm and not the other way around: it is not a question of ‘pulling’ or ‘propelling’ it “, He continues. Beyond the technical gesture, a real moment of sharing and exchange is created.
Precise indications
Some people will ask to warn them of possible obstacles or differences in level. It is not a question of describing the place in great detail but of allowing it to visualize the surrounding elements. Precise indications such as “To your left”, “in front of you” or “ at noon »Are to be preferred, unlike traditional ” here there “. In the event of an obstacle, the word ” Warning Is to be avoided because it can frighten and gives no indication. The right attitude to adopt: rather say ” Stop And indicate the reason for the stop. To help him sit down, simply accompany him to his seat and put his hand on the backrest. Along the guide’s arm, the blind “ down his hand and stands at height to settle “. Memo: once installed, do not leave without warning.
The right position
As for the body position to adopt, it is quite an art! In general, the guide must keep his arm close to the body to allow his buddy to grab his elbow with full hand. This position makes it possible to adopt the correct distance between the two people, ” namely a step of anticipation and a minimized width (the shoulders of each are found one behind the other, in the same orientation), in order to feel and follow the movements of the guide ”, explains the manual. ” For the elderly or those with balance problems, the guide can bend his elbow in order to support the blind person, while keeping this necessary distance of anticipation ”, says he. The booklet also gives the keys to locate furniture with precision, using stairs, preventing a slowdown … It also explains the gestures to adopt in town in the event of narrow passage or obstacles at height and how to move, in all safety, when hiking in an easy or difficult to access passage. Practical explanations available on the Unadev website in classic version or with large print (link below).
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