* White paint on the step edges. (Non Slip White Paint)
* White paint on your walking stick for identification by others when out walking.
* "Fit over" glasses are available from your Optometrist.
* A peaked cap often helps with the glare.
* Sitting close to the Television will not hurt your vision.
* Taxi Books are available thru the G.P. or Grey Power if you are a member.
* Felt pens, (fine and medium nibs) are available thru the local Book shops. Try and encourage your family to use them as well when writing to you!
* Disabled Parking can be obtained through your G.P.
* Through the G.P. you can obtain a referral to the Occupational Therapy Department and request a Rail Assessment for the bathroom.
* Taped books are available through the Public Library.
* With a Community Card you can request, through the G.P. a referral for Home Help if required.
* Contrasting colour and good lighting can make a difference.
* Remember to sit with your back to the light.
DO:
* Have your eyes tested regularly - at least once a year;
* Magnify objects by bringing them closer to your eye - if you move ten feet away from a television set to two feet away you will have magnified the picture size in your eye five times;
* Write out important telephone numbers in large print which you can read without spectacles - if you or your partner are ill, you do not want to waste time looking for your spectacles.
* Try to manage with separate spectacles for distance work and near work - often bi-focal spectacles can be difficult to use for an elderly person who is having some problems with walking;
* Look for the Partially Sighted sign - it means that people are willing to give you special assistance;
* Consider using a ruler or marker on the page to keep your place when reading - it can save a lot of frustration;
* Use a magnifier, if you need to use one, near to your eye and bring the reading material closer to your eye until it is in focus;
* Take special care with safety precautions in the kitchen and in the bathroom.
DON'T:
* Just go out and buy a magnifier - try some out, but always seek the advice of your doctor before the purchase;
* Lean over a hot stove;
* Leave pan handles sticking out away from the stove;
* Try to cope with dim light - electric lighting is comparatively cheap;
* Forget to consider contrast and size as well as light.
HINTS:
* Make sure that you have good lighting in danger areas such as stairways.
* Mix and pour light coloured ingredients into dark coloured containers and dark ingredients into light containers.
* Chopping boards, which are light coloured on one side and dark coloured on the other, can provide good contrasts when preparing food.
* Dark crockery is seen more easily on light coloured tablecloths, contrasting place mats can be used as an alternative.
* Use non-slip mats in bathrooms and on shiny floors.
* Wash net curtains regularly. Dirty curtains can stop a lot of valuable light getting into your room. Draw your main curtains well back so that more light can be allowed in.
* Decorate your room in light colours, it helps to reflect more light into your room.
* Use large lamp shades which let a good deal of light out at both the top and bottom as this allows more light to be reflected around the room.
* If you use a reading light, don't put out the main light in the room or you will find it much more difficult to adjust to the darkness when you get up to answer the door.
* Carry the white bag of a newspaper when out at nights. If you sight is not good enough to see things around you clearly, then make sure that others can see you.
These are only hints - not rules.
Think about them and develop your own methods of making things more visible.
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Introduce yourself by name until the person is familiar with your voice.
Do NOT play the “Guess Who” game.
Always excuse yourself when you leave the presence of the vision impaired - whether only you are there, or whether you are part of a group.
It avoids the embarrassing situation of “talking to the non-existent person”.
When dealing with a group of blind people, address any questions to a particular individual - using their name.
If this is done in a group situation, those who are unable to see will not know whom the speaker is addressing.
Avoid leaving doors half-open. Either leave them fully opened, or fully closed.
Ensure that chairs and drawers are pushed in so that they do not obstruct walk-ways.
Avoid leaving objects lying about the floor - it is not only inconsiderate, but can be dangerous.
Ensure that the vision impaired are aware of any physical changes to the environment - temporary or permanent.
(Things such as workmen's tools, ladders, rearranged furniture, etc.) this also applies to the wider environment with such things as trenches, areas of reconstruction, and changes of business premises, etc.
Make your presence known if it appears that a vision impaired person could Walk into you.
Speak clearly in group situations. It is difficult enough not being able to see, let alone having to strain to hear what is being said. It is very easy for the sighted to shut the vision impaired out of conversations this way - although they may not consciously be aware of doing so.
Let the vision impaired know if you place anything on the table beside them. It is less likely to be spilled, or knocked over if you make them aware hat it is there.
Avoid trying to push, pull or turn the vision impaired - it can be a very confusing and disorientating experience. Be aware also, that some people do not like to be touched. Verbal instructions should suffice - but make sure they are clear and concise. (Avoid giving visual cues - they are quite useless when you cannot see; some persons may offend them.)
PLEASE, put all things back where you get them from. If it is a situation where there is a set place for everything, then put things back in their place.
If you have to leave a vision impaired person alone, try to leave them seated or standing against something solid. Tell them where they are and what is around them. DO NOT LEAVE THEM STANDING IN SPACE.
When giving instruction, try not to confuse left and right. It is easily done, but everything should be done to avoid this. If it helps, close your eyes and physically think your instructions through as you give them.
PLEASE address questions directly to the vision impaired individual, NOT through their companion. Because blind people don't see the way that you do, it does not mean that they are unable to think for themselves. - They are people just like yourself - treat them as such.
DON'T be afraid of using words like “see”, “look”, “watch”, but remember that words like “there”, and “over there”, have no meaning.
If you want to know how much a person can see, ask them.
If you think that a vision impaired person needs help, ASK them.
When giving instructions to the vision impaired, use words like “in front to your left; behind to your right; beside to your left parallel etc”. You can use a clock face to describe the direction of objects relative to the position they are currently facing (12 o'clock) e.g. 2 o'clock at about 4 paces. Be as specific as possible.
If you are handing something to a vision impaired person, let them know what you are doing - tell them that you are handing them something, or that you are going to place something in their hand(s).
Likewise, if you are placing something in front of them, tell them where you have put it. Be as specific as possible.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE PARTIALLY SIGHTED - they may appear clumsy and have difficulty locating objects in front of them. Their focal depth and visual acuity may vary, due to health or lighting conditions. Bright light may badly obscure what little vision they have and sudden changes in lighting levels may also cause them problems - they need longer to adjust - going front indoors to out and visa versa.
If you give a vision impaired person a plate with food on it, use the clock face to describe the position of different items on the plate, e.g. sausage roll at 12 o'clock, sandwich at 4 o'clock, and cake at 9 o'clock.
In a buffet situation, take them with you, describe what is available, and let them make their own choices.
In the likes of a classroom, or group situation, make sure that any vision impaired persons are aware of where different facilities and amenities are located, e.g. bus-stops, toilets, rubbish tin, etc.
Don't patronise, it can be very uncomfortable.
The blind are ordinary people, just like you. Treat them as such. Invite them to join in activities - they will soon let you know if the activity is beyond them.
DON'T ASSUME ANYTHING! This is one of the biggest handicaps to any Disabled - the assumptions of others.
DON'T ASSUME - that just because a blind person can't see, that they won't be able to use a hammer and nails, chop wood, prune trees, weed gardens, repair cars, motor-mowers, use power tools, or whatever. Active blind people can cope with most things as competently as anyone else. So DON'T ASSUME, GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY - you may be surprised!
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