Suggestions to Improve Positive Interactions:

• To guide a person who is blind, let him or her take your arm.
  If you encounter steps, curbs, or other obstacles, identify them.

• When sitting down, guide the person's hand to the back of the chair.
  Tell him or her whether the chair has arms.

• When giving directions, be as clear and specific as possible.
  Estimate the distance in steps, and point out obvious obstacles in the direct path of travel.

• Speak directly to the person in a normal tone and speed.
  Do not shout or speak in a loud voice.

• Resist the temptation to pet or play with a working guide dog.
  The dog is working and should not be distracted.

• When leaving a room, say so.
  Anyone would feel foolish talking into thin air.

• When the person who has a visual impairment must meet many people, introduce them individually.
  This helps the person to better associate names and voices for subsequent encounters.

Possible Solutions to Access Problems:

• To facilitate mobility on a path of travel, remove displays or other objects; avoid clutter; use large letter signs; raise low-hanging signs or lights.
• Written information is a problem. Try using talking calculators or computers. Increase the frequency of oral announcements; provide audiotapes or braille transcripts of frequently requested information; have staff read aloud brochures or important information.
• Add raised or Braille lettering to elevator control buttons.
• Install entrance indicators such as strips of textured material near doorways, elevators, etc.
• Use radio for announcements and advertising.
• Have optical magnifiers and other optical aids available for the person with a visual impairment to use.

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VSA arts of Nevada Please direct questions and comments about VSA arts of Nevada to  meh@vsan.reno.nv.us

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