Respect, Discretion and Assistance

3. Respect and Discretion

  • Don’t treat blindness as a taboo — but avoid personal or intrusive questions unless you have a close relationship or professional reason. Examples of inappropriate questions: “How long have you been blind?” or “What were your feelings when you lost your sight?”
  • Never move personal objects (cane, bags, tools) without permission.
  • In group settings, make it clear who you are addressing to avoid confusion. Example: “Carla, what do you think?”

4. Guidance and Assistance

  • Always ask before helping — never grab a blind person unexpectedly. Example: “Can I guide you?”
  • If they accept, offer your arm (don’t pull theirs) and walk half a step ahead.
  • Describe obstacles as needed (stairs, holes, changes in ground).
  • When in a new place, provide a description of the environment if helpful.