Tips for Sighted Guides
The sighted guide technique was originally developed to assist people who are blind, but it can also be helpful to those with low vision.
It’s easy to provide assistance if you know how to signal movement and how to position yourself in relation to the person you are guiding. The techniques on this page will help to make the experience respectful and interactive.
Please also see the suggestions on working together in the piece: “To my friends, family and colleagues, here’s what I ask of you”—an open letter to all who are sighted.
Getting started
Let’s assume you are heading to the subway and notice a woman using a white cane walking in the same direction. You’d like to offer your help, but are unsure how to proceed.
Begin by asking her if she would like assistance. This is a simple gesture, but important. Sighted people tend to assume that all people with low vision need assistance. They often approach too abruptly and tend to take the person’s arm or hand unsolicited. However, not all people who are blind or visually impaired need help or want it.
If she’d like assistance, ask her to take your arm lightly above the elbow. Ask her which arm she’d prefer. This helps both of you. It allows you to walk a half-step ahead and enables her to feel and follow your direction. Increase or decrease the amount of assistance you give based on how comfortable she is with you as a sighted guide.
Signaling movement
Give your signals just as a change in motion is needed. Signaling early creates confusion.
Approaching a curb
Pause briefly at the very edge of the curb and say whether the curb goes up or down. Then she can follow you.
Arriving at a door
Stop in front of the door and tell her whether the door opens to the right or the left. For example: “There’s a door on your right.” She can then free her hand on that side to hold the door as she goes through.
Approaching stairs
Come to a stop at the edge of the first step and tell her whether the stairs go up or down. Describe where the railing is.
Ask her to tell you when she’s ready to start. Don’t assume she’s ready when you see her move one foot forward to find the first step. She may want to shift balance to lead with the other foot. As you both start, she will follow one stair step behind you, holding your arm with one hand and perhaps the handrail with the other.
Pause after completing the stairs. Make sure this pause is long enough so she isn’t anticipating another step. If there is another flight of stairs, repeat the same procedure.
Approaching escalators
Use the same techniques for stairs and curbs.
Moving through a narrow passage
Press your guiding arm backward toward the small of your back and say, “We have a narrow space here.” This means she can move in single file behind you.
Additional signals
Approaching a chair
Tell her there is a chair in front of her, or to her left or right. Let her know if she is approaching the chair from the front, back, or side.
Helping someone into a car
Place your hand on the door handle and ask her to slide her hand down your arm to find the handle. She can then open the door and put her other hand on the edge of the car roof. This allows her to know exactly where the door is and which way the car is facing. She can then seat herself.