Blindness and Vision Impairment
Communicating | Instruction Techniques | Implications for Sailing
Blindness or vision impairment does not necessarily mean that the person cannot see anything. No more than 5% of "blind" people are completely unable to see. Most can see some light. A legally blind person is someone who cannot see, with visual aides, at 6 metres, what person with normal vision can see at 60 metres, or if the width of a person's vision is 20 degrees or less.
CAUSES
There are many possible causes of vision impairment including: Diabetes; Cataracts; Glaucoma; Aging; Prenatal infections; Eye malformations; Trauma - eg. car accident; Infections; Tumors; Oxygen treatment after birth.
GENERAL NOTES - when in the company of a Vision Impaired person:
- If he wishes to sit, put his hand on the back of the chair.
- Let the VI person take YOUR arm. This allows him to walk one step behind you and judge which way you are turning. When you come to a step, pause and say whether it is a step up or down.
- Approaching public transport or steps, place the VI person's hand on the handrail.
- Do not be afraid to offer assistance to a VI person who is travelling alone. It is then up to him to say whether or not he needs assistance.
- Direct questions for a VI person to him and not to his companion.
- Use his name at the beginning or at the end of a sentence. He will then know that you are speaking directly to him.
- Always leave a door open or closed, never ajar.
- If entertaining a VI person, ask him if he would like any of his food cut up.
- There is no need to tell him what type of food you are serving or where it is positioned on his plate. He will ask all he needs to know. It is most important not to make a fuss.
- Hand him his drink, he can then place it where he can find it easily. A VI smoker will appreciate not having to ask for an ashtray.
COMMUNICATING WITH A PERSON WITH VISION IMPAIRMENT
- Speak distinctly and directly towards the person.
- Don't speak louder than you normally do.
- Say something that announces your presence or intention to leave.
- Identify yourself when you approach a VI person and introduce any people with you.
- When speaking to a VI person address him by name or touch so he knows you are talking to him.
- Speak naturally, don't worry about using words like "look" and "see".
- Be specific with directions ie. direct him to the left from his position instead of saying "over there".
- Unobtrusively explain what is happening when in public.
- Talk to the person you are guiding and give directions to avoid difficulties.
- Never take a person's arm and put him in front of you. Hold your arm to your side, so he can take it and walk 1/2 a pace behind you.
- Don't leave a VI person alone in the middle of a room. Make sure he has contact with something eg. a table.
- Don't completely fill glasses or cups.
- Discreetly tell a VI person if his clothes are dirty or untidy.
- Return objects to correct places so the VI person can find them easily.
- A half open door or any unusual object left where a VI person may walk can be very dangerous.
- Warn a VI person to any possible dangers eg. wet floors.
- The instructor must be articulate and willing to give the fullest description of technique and correction of poor technique. Use key words to assist.
- Sometimes it may help if the person feels the instructor performing a particular movement or the instructor moves the person through the movement.
- Don't grab their arms unexpectedly. If you are going to touch the person tell them first where and what you are going to do.
- Constantly correct style manually - do NOT push or prod those being instructed.
- Demand an accepted technique irrespective of the disability - adaption to techniques must be carefully evaluated to fall within an accepted limit - poor compromises inevitably lead to low standards of performance and injury.
- Familiarise the person with obstacles in the area (describe obstacles in their direct path of travel, let them feel the area and five them time to 'explore' the area).
- Use other participants to assist with guidance and direction.
- A 'buddy' system may be helpful
- Give VI people constant feedback on the progress of an activity which may be naturally observed by people with vision.
- Acoustic signalling may be required in some activities to aid in direction and/or distance. Instructors should also develop cue/key words, eg communicating direction by referring to the hands of a clock.
- Develop a good level of spatial awareness.
- Work in a well lit area. Shadows and dark areas may be dangerous and will reduce visibility.
- A VI sailor should be aware of the location of the water, direction and location of facilities and have assistance until he becomes familiar with the area.
- Audible aids will assist the VI sailor with direction and distance of buoys and other craft and countdown for race starts.
