You can help some blind people all of the time, and you can help all blind people some of the time, but...
OFFERING HELP:
It's always appropriate to offer your help; just don't be surprised if blind persons would rather do it themselves. And when they do, it isn't necessary to applaud. If you want to help and aren't sure exactly what to do, ask an expert - the one you’re helping.
TALKING:
How do blind persons you want to help know you're talking to them? "Hay you blind person!" will get you immediate attention, but touching the person gently on the elbow is better. Grabbing the person's cane is definitely out; so is petting the Leader Dog, except during "off” hours. Even then, ask the master first.
Do your feelings bruise easily? When people don't recognize your voice over the telephone, for instance. If so, when you run into a blind person you know, start off by mentioning your name. if there's a blind person alone in a room, announce when you come in - especially if you are wearing sneakers. The same applies to leaving.
Don't sweat over substitute words for "see", "look", or even "blind". And don't avoid them where they fit. You can talk about blindness itself - if it comes up and you both feel comfortable about it.
Blind is not deaf. Don't shout. Also, blind is not dumb. If you have a question, for instance about what a blind person likes to eat, ask the person and not a companion.
WALKING:
If you are guiding someone who is blind, don't grab his/her arm. Let them take yours. After that, it's like dancing; he/she can tell when you come to curbs, steps, or turns. To avoid surprises, the person may want to walk a half step behind you. They may not want to hurt your feelings by telling you that you're going too fast - or too slow. If you pay attention, you ought to be able to judge after five or ten steps.
EATING:
In a cafeteria, most blind persons will not be able to carry a tray of food while using a Leader Dog or White Cane. Therefore, appropriate help at such time would be to offer to carry the tray while the blind person holds your elbow and walks to a vacant chair. This eliminates the real hazard of bumping another person with a tray of food and possibly spilling hot food or drink.
In a restaurant, guide your blind friend's hand to the chair back; take it for granted that the person knows how to sit down. Unless it's the person's regular haunt, offer to read the menu (prices too!). You can feel comfortable asking your friend if he/she would like the meat cut, roll buttered, or cream and sugar added to the coffee. If it's the person's turn to pick up the check and he/she offers, it's ok to spar a little out of politeness; but let your friend pay.
As for your own feelings; Pity is absolutely out, and sympathy is something appropriate, but sensitivity always helps.
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Any person who is an owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, agent, or employee of any place of public or private housing, accommodation, amusement, or recreation, including but not limited to any inn, hotel, motel, apartment building, trailer park, restaurant, barber shop, billiard parlor, store, public conveyance on land or water, theater, motion picture house, public or private educational institution, or elevator, who refuses to permit a handicapper to enter or use the accommodations when accompanied by a guide, hearing, or service dog is guilty of a misdemeanor if the guide dog is wearing a harness or if the hearing or service dog is wearing a blaze orange leash and collar, and the handicapper being led or accompanied has in his or her possession a picture identification card certifying that the dog was trained by a qualified organizer or trainer. The department of labor shall maintain a list of organizations or trainers that train leader, hearing, and services dogs.
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VERMONT STATE LAW
Title 23: Motor Vehicles
23 V.S.A. — 1057.Duty toward blind persons
Whenever a pedestrian is crossing or attempting to cross a public street or highway, guided by a guide dog or carrying in a raised or extended position a cane or walking stick, white in color or white tipped with red, the driver of every vehicle approaching the intersection, or place where the pedestrian is attempting to cross, shall bring his vehicle to a full stop before arriving at the intersection or place of crossing and before proceeding shall take such precautions as may be necessary to avoid injuring the pedestrian.
It is unlawful for any person, unless totally or partially blind or otherwise incapacitated, while on any public street or highway, to carry in a raised or extended position a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white tipped with red.
Nothing in this section deprives any totally or partially blind or otherwise incapacitated person, not carrying a cane or walking stick and not being guided by a dog, of the rights and privileges conferred by law upon pedestrians crossing the streets or highways, and the failure of any totally or partially blind or otherwise incapacitated person to carry a cane or walking stick, or to be guided by a guide dog upon streets, highways or sidewalks within this state, does not constitute and is not evidence of contributory negligence.
Failure to yield can result in a fine of up to $100 and FOUR POINTS on the motorist’s driving record!
Whenever a pedestrian is crossing or attempting to cross a public street or highway, guided by a guide dog or carrying in a raised or extended position a cane or walking stick, white in color or white tipped with red, the driver of every vehicle approaching the intersection, or place where the pedestrian is attempting to cross, shall bring his vehicle to a full stop before arriving at the intersection or place of crossing and before proceeding shall take such precautions as may be necessary to avoid injuring the pedestrian.
It is unlawful for any person, unless totally or partially blind or otherwise incapacitated, while on any public street or highway, to carry in a raised or extended position a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white tipped with red.
Nothing in this section deprives any totally or partially blind or otherwise incapacitated person, not carrying a cane or walking stick and not being guided by a dog, of the rights and privileges conferred by law upon pedestrians crossing the streets or highways, and the failure of any totally or partially blind or otherwise incapacitated person to carry a cane or walking stick, or to be guided by a guide dog upon streets, highways or sidewalks within this state, does not constitute and is not evidence of contributory negligence.
Failure to yield can result in a fine of up to $100 and FOUR POINTS on the motorist’s driving record!
October 15, 2010
White Cane Day
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