Hello Jatin, I am sending you an article witch has been sended by somebody
in access india. I think it will help you in your second aim.
TEN TIPS ON WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU MEET A
"BLIND" PERSON
"Blind" is referring to all visually challenged individuals, since most
sighted people do not know the degree of a visually challenged person's
vision loss.
For the purpose of simplifying this discussion, "VCP" will be used to
refer to the visually challenged person or visually challenged people.
Now, the 10 Tips!
1. DON'T IGNORE THEM!
Many people will notice a VCP who appears to need some assistance and
they just simply ignore the VCP, either through "paralysis" or through
simply not
knowing what to do.
There are two principle rules to follow:
o Simple Courtesy: Instead of viewing a VCP as someone "different",
treat the VCP just as you would anyone else. Use simple courtesy: "May I
help you find
something?"
Information First, Options Second: Using simple courtesy, merely
provide information such as: "The walk sign is flashing"; "The doorway is to
your left
10 feet"; "The 2B bus is here". After you have provided the initial
information, then you can offer some options, such as: "Would you like to
take my arm
to cross the street?" (The VCP has the option of taking your arm or
not.)
These two principles are very helpful and non-intrusive to the VCP and
they allow for a comfortable environment for interaction and
assistance.
2. REMEMBER, A "BLIND" PERSON IS NOT DEAF OR RETARDED.
VCP's are rarely deaf or retarded. Yet many people communicate with
them as if they are! VCP's are just like you except for one difference:
They can't see
as well. Many VCP's view their vision loss as a mere inconvenience, not
a disability. Treat them like regular people. Talk to them in a normal
voice at
a normal pace. A person's vision loss has no bearing whatsoever on
effective communication skills or hearing ability.
3. IDENTIFY YOURSELF!
Now, here we are telling you to treat the VCP as you would anyone else.
BUT then, most people you talk to can see who you are. Many times the
VCP will recognize
your voice. Out of courtesy, do not make that assumption. Simply say
who you are: "Hi, this is Joan. How are you doing?" and eliminate any
confusion or
awkwardness of mis-identity.
It is also helpful to address the VCP when you begin a conversation.
Many times the VCP is unaware that he or she is being addressed. By
saying the VCP's
name at the start of the conversation, this confusion is eliminated.
So, begin a conversation with, "Hello, John! This is Kim. How are
you?." Again, this allows for a comfortable environment for interaction and
assistance.
4. LET THE VCP KNOW WHEN YOU ARE LEAVING.
Along with identifying yourself when you begin a conversation with a
VCP, comes the problem of walking away from a VCP without saying so. The
VCP is often
standing there talking to no one! This is quite embarrassing. Simply
say, "Bye, John. I've got to go and.."
5. ANNOUNCE YOURSELF WHEN YOU ENTER A ROOM.
It is quite unnerving to a VCP not to know who is present in a room or
to be unaware that someone has even entered the room. If you are
entering a room,
announce your entrance, either by talking directly to the VCP ("Hi,
John. This is Kim.") or by speaking to the group in general, stating your
name.
If you are already in a room and someone else enters without announcing
her presence, you can take the initiative and either say to the VCP
directly that
Kim has arrived. Or you can merely address the person who has arrived
("Hi, Kim. How are you doing?"). This approach provides the necessary
information
in a very casual manner.
If someone exits the room, the same principle should apply. Either
inform the VCP that someone is leaving ("Kim is leaving.") or say goodbye
to the person
leaving ("Bye, Kim. See you later"). If you are leaving yourself, say
directly to the VCP, "Bye, John. I'll be talking to you soon." Or "John,
I'm leaving.
Kim, Andy and Susan are here."
6. DON'T SAY, "CAN I HELP YOU?"
"What could possibly be wrong with this?" you might ask. Well, believe
it or not, this statement is not quite as innocent as it might sound.
What's wrong is that you have just intruded into a VCP's "space". It
places the VCP in a defensive position ("What makes you think I need
help?"). It makes
the VCP think that you view him as helpless.
Go back to number 1 above. If the VCP seems to be functioning just fine
and not having any difficulty whatsoever, there is no need to
interfere. If you
notice that the VCP may be disoriented or looking for something, then
you can provide them with specific information or you can very casually
ask if they
are looking for something.
Again, don't ask, "May I help you?" A better way to phrase this is to
be more specific: "What bus (building, street, etc.) are you looking
for?"
7. TALK DIRECTLY TO THE VISUALLY CHALLENGED PERSON (Not the person who
is with the VCP)!
Usually VCP's are quite intelligent, have good hearing and speaking
skills. They just can't see very well! Often people talk to the person the
VCP is with,
rather than to the VCP directly!
A VCP does not need an interpreter! He or she is quite capable of
communicating directly with others. The VCP can even hand over a plane
ticket, for example.
And even take it back. Allow the VCP to be independent and
self-sufficient.
This problem is most prevalent in public situations: restaurants,
transportation facilities, retail stores and other situations where the VCP
may not be
alone.
And sometimes even the sighted companion may enable this situation to
occur by taking over the conversation.
If you are with a VCP and someone else is looking at you to relay
conversation, direct the conversation back to the VCP by turning to the VCP
and merely
say, "John .". This will prompt the VCP to assume the conversation.
If that doesn't work, then tell the other person, "I think John can
talk to you about that himself." Another trick is to say, "John, I'm going
to go over
and look at ... I'll let you two discuss this." If you are not there,
the other person has no choice but to directly communicate with the VCP!
8. DON'T TAKE OVER A TASK A VCP IS ENGAGED IN!
Many people think they are being of assistance to a VCP by taking over
a task that the VCP is engaged in. For example, a VCP may be pouring a
cup of coffee.
Some people might observe this, go over to the VCP and say, "Let me do
that for you."
Or even worse say: "Can I help you?"
Another example would be a VCP asking someone where the trash can is.
Some people will respond with, "Give that trash to me. I'll throw that
away for you."
This sounds helpful, but often it's not. Why? Because the VCP may
actually want to know WHERE the trash can is located, so that he or she can
dispose of
trash later on and not bother anyone.
You certainly can offer the VCP the option of allowing you to dispose
of the trash, but first provide the VCP with the information he or she
asked for ("Where
is the trash can?"). Then offer other options.
Remember: INFORMATION FIRST, THEN OPTIONS.
9. DON'T GRAB THE VCP'S WRIST, WHITE CANE OR CLOTHES TO PUSH OR PULL
THEM FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER!
This is not only clumsy and awkward, it's also ineffective. There is
one effective way to guide a VCP: Have them take your arm and then you
"lead" first.
This is called the Sighted Guide Technique.
Here is a very quick lesson. The VCP places his left hand on your upper
right arm just above the elbow, resting his hand in the crack of your
arm (your
arm should be bent at the elbow at right angle). Walk a step ahead of
the VCP (the VCP walks to your side, a step behind). Please note that
this technique
can be used on the other side also -- VCP's right hand on the sighted
guide's left arm.
If you are approaching a narrow passage, drop your arm and bring it
back behind you. This will indicate to the VCP to move behind you. It is
helpful to
provide verbal comments on what's coming up, such as narrow hallway,
doorway, stairs (mention whether they are going up or down, turning
left/right), curbs,
etc.)
Most VCP's are familiar with the Sighted Guide Technique. It's also
very easy to teach and provides a comfortable and easy way to navigate.
NEVER grab a person's arm or wrist to "pull" them along.
NEVER get behind the VCP to push the person around.
NEVER grab a white cane or guide dog to guide a VCP.
ALWAYS provide the VCP with the option of taking your arm or not.
Many times the VCP will be grateful. Other times, the VCP may be in
very familiar surroundings and not in need of assistance. Let the VCP make
the choice!
10. DO NOT MOVE FURNITURE AND OTHER OBJECTS IN A VISUALLY CHALLENGED
PERSON'S DAILY SPACE!
Because VCP's have to rely on memory so much, any moving around of
objects needs to be done by them. That's the only way they will remember.
Many people think they are being helpful by "putting things back where
they belong". This can often be frustrating to the VCP.
Whether the VCP is an organized person or not is irrelevant. The VCP is
responsible for where he or she places things and, therefore is
responsible for
finding them. Do not take over this responsibility.
If something must be moved, inform the VCP that you have moved it and
where it's been moved. If necessary, provide the VCP the opportunity to
get reoriented
with the new arrangement.
These tips benefit both the visually challenged person as well as the
sighted community. Following them will eliminate much of the awkwardness
and confusion
involved when interacting with a visually challenged person. It will
also empower the visually challenged person to maintain independence and
self-sufficiency.
----- Original Message -----
From: "jatin shah" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 24, 2006 11:24 AM
Subject: [AI] idea for the documentary
> hi friends this is jatin shah
> I'm trying to make a documentary where I'm going to show incidents which
> have taken place with the visually challenged. The purpose behind this is
> to
> create awareness among other people about visually challenged. Therefore
> I'm
> going to use Malhar (the xaviers college festival) as a platform to film
> the
> documentary.
> This movie will not exceed five minutes. I am planning to divide this
> movie
> in two parts:
> The first part will be about how people tend to make blunders. For example
> when a friend of mine asked for assisstance to cross the road, a woman
> dragged him by his collar instead of allowing him to hold her arm.
> The second half will show the correct way to assisst etc.
> So I would like to hear of incidents which have taken place with any of
> you
> as it would be a great help to me.
> I'm doing this to spread awareness about the visually challenged.
> I look forward to your response.
> Jatin Shah
>
>
>
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