Blind persons rely on verbal descriptions to visualize surroundings and situations. When encountering a visually impaired person, identify yourself by name. When you accompany a visually impaired person into a room, identify any other people or pets in the room and their location, and guide the person to a chair. Let him or her know when you leave the room.
When several persons are talking, use the name of the impaired person in remarks that you are directing to him. Speak in a normal voice; it is only a visual problem that is involved, not hearing. The person can speak for himself and answer his own questions. You do not need to ask another person, for example, whether the blind person wants cream in his coffee. He can tell you; ask him.
When walking with a visually impaired person, do no grab his arm. Let him grasp you arm above the elbow, hold your arm steady and walk normally. Give some advance warning about curbs and steps.
When leaving the person, put him in contact with something such as a chair or other orienting object. Do not leave him standing in the open, lost in space. Recognize that protruding lampshades, toys and other articles scattered on the floor are hazards. Close cupboards, push in chairs and put things out of the way. Do not rearrange furniture or leave doors ajar.
Ordinary table skills may be a problem. Ask if the person needs assistance in locating food or having meat cut. The location of food on the plate can be related to a clock, "the vegetables are at 12:00, the corn is at 4:00, etc."
If a visually impaired person is a guest in your home, guide your guest to the location of the bathroom, clothes closet, the dresser, the window, the light switch, the electrical outlet, etc. Be as explicit as possible when describing the location of objects. For example, state that the soap is on the "right side of the sink," not just "on the sink."
Do not avoid the words "blindness," "visual impairment," "look," "see," or "watch." These words are not taboo.
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