Download
1 / 9
90 likes | 96 Views
The School believes in an integrated approach where both blind and sighted children study and grow up together. The training imparted includes reading and writing through Braille and mobility training for totally blind children.
E N D
Introduction • Many of us know blind people and want to be supportive, but aren’t quite sure how to behave in a way that’s helpful. • Alerting the person when you walk in the room, asking how you can help and using language that’s not awkward are all ways you can show courtesy to a blind person.
Greet the person out loud • When you walk into a room where a blind person is waiting, saying something right away will alert them to your presence. • Being quiet until you’re right next to the person might make them feel as though you just snuck up out of nowhere, which isn’t comfortable for anyone. • Say your name so they know who you are. • If the person offers a hand to shake, go ahead.
Tell the person when you leave the room • It might not be intuitive, but you should always say something when you're about to leave. • Don't just assume the person will be able to hear you walking out. • It's impolite to walk away without saying anything, since you’ll leave the person talking to air. • This is frustrating and embarrassing.
Ask if the person would like help • If they say they’d like assistance, do only what is asked, and no more. • It’s common for well-meaning sighted people to “take over” and end up hurting more than they’ve helped. • In some situations, there's really no need to even ask. • For example, if everyone's sitting around a table and the blind person is already seated, you don't need to walk up and ask if there's anything you can do. Be sensitive to the situation and don't make assumptions.
Ask the person questions directly • Many people who don't have experience around the blind aren't sure how to address the blind person, so they instead address his or her companion. • In a restaurant, for example, it's common for servers to ask the person seated next to a blind person if they would like more water, a menu, and so on. • Blind people can hear just fine, and there's absolutely no reason not to address them as you would anyone else.
Don't stress over words like “look” and “see” • Your inclination might be to disrupt your normal speech habits and try to find ways around saying words like "look" and "see." • It’s okay to use these common words when not using them would sound awkward. • It could make a blind person more uncomfortable for you to talk to them in a way that's different from how you'd talk to other people.
Don’t make assumptions about a blind person’s life • sking a lot of questions or making a big deal about someone being blind is impolite. • Blind people have already answered these questions. • Every day they encounter situations and places that cater to people who are sighted. • You can help a blind person feel more comfortable by being sensitive to this and just talking with them in a normal way.
Conclusion • Above all, your behavior should communicate respect and an awareness that the person you’re helping is more than just blind. • To help the blind people, donate to the Charitable Trust in Bangalore.
