Basic Grip, Starting and Stopping
Basic Grip — “Pinch / Bottle Grip”
The person gently grasps the guide’s arm above the elbow, thumb on one side, fingers on the other.
Benefits:
- Maintains a safe distance (about half a step behind the guide).
- Allows clear postural communication and non-verbal cues.
- Keeps shoulders parallel for natural movement.
- Both occupy space efficiently (approximately one and a half people).
Grip variations: informal or adapted positions (hand or shoulder) depending on context.
Starting and Stopping
- Usually non-verbal; the guide starts with the leg on the grip side.
- Changes in direction (±90°) are signalled by rotating the guide’s body.
- Reversing direction (±180°) is usually verbal and performed in two 90° turns for clarity.