20/01/2025
Just a little something to think about today, blindness etiquette is challenging for sighted people to get right. Here is a handy guide, written by someone with first hand experience of blindness and using a cane to assist them.
We can always learn and grow to help those around us coping with their own disabilities. These things matter greatly, and it doesn’t matter if you get it wrong first time, simply that you try to get it right in future.
Important information to know about blindness and etiquette.
1) A white cane signifies to the general public that the person using it has low to no vision. Approximately 15% of people who use a white cane or a guide dog are totally blind, the rest of us have varying degrees of vision, but our vision isn’t always useful or reliable.
2) Most of us call our cane what it is -- a cane. If someone using a white cane calls it a stick or a pole, then you know that’s their preferred name for it. Please avoid calling it a stick or pole unless you’re very familiar with the person. Our cane is our mobility device, and we use it as an extension of ourselves. A cane represents freedom and independence to those of us using it.
3) No need to avoid common language when talking to those of us who are blind or legally blind. The words see, look, or watch are totally ok to use. These words do not make us uncomfortable because we do see, look, and watch -- only we do it differently than someone without vision loss. If someone tells you they do not like those words, then you know for that person.
4) If you feel we may be in danger, yelling “Look out!” or “Watch out!” is not helpful. We can’t see what to be looking out for or watching out for, nor do we know if you are actually talking to us. Be specific to be helpful: “Hey lady using the white cane STOP there is an electric bike on your left.”
5) NEVER grab, touch, jump over, or move someone’s white cane. That presents a safety hazard to us.
6) NEVER grab, pull, or push someone who is blind or partially sighted. No one appreciates being grabbed or touched by strangers. As we visually cannot see your intention, it can be terrifying for us. Also the grabbing can cause injury. Just use words.
7) Never wave your hand or hold up fingers in front of our face to test if we’re “really blind.” It is rude and disrespectful.
If someone tells you they have vision loss, believe us. No one goes around pretending to be blind, carrying a cane, using magnification and asking for assistance, if they are not.
8)The terms low vision, partially sighted, legally blind, or blind are preferred. Avoid the term “visually impaired” as “impaired” implies a negative. Language is a powerful tool, and we can lift each other up or knock each other down with our choice of words. If you meet someone and they tell you that they prefer that term, then you know for that person.
9) Please be accurate and specific when giving us directions. Example: “Walk about 30 feet in the direction you are facing and turn right before crossing the street” rather than “Walk that way and turn right at the bank.” You may be surprised at how many well-intentioned people tell us to turn right when they meant turn left.
10) Say “Hello.” We take your verbal hello as that nod, smile, or gestured acknowledgment that strangers give to each other frequently throughout the day. When you say hello, it alerts us to your presence and opens the opportunity for us to ask for help if we need it. Also, with that hello, you’ve treated us like everyone else and that is all anyone ever wants.
No two people experiencing sight loss or blindness experience it in the same way. We are all unique individuals, so if you are curious about someone, please just ask the person you are curious about so you gain accurate information about that person. Never default to those who we are with.
“Losing my sight has not changed who I am, it has changed my interactions with the world.” Gina Martin
Photo description
A lady is giving a presentation and she has a white cane in her hand.
