The term blindness is typically used to describe individual with no usable vision or only ability to perceive light.
When i first met a blind person i was so uncomfortable with him, because i didn’t know how to interact with him. I was surprise when he mentioned my name, and said ‘you never greeted me since you moved into this compound’. I then greeted him with fear that day. I was thinking he wasn’t blind, i never knew that he knows my footsteps.
When i returned from work that day i began to ask around whether the blind man is truly blind the response i got was yes but with, inner eyes. I felt so sad for myself, and i began to learn how to communicate with him.
Here are some tips I learnt that might help you too to facilitate positive interactions with visually impaired or blind a friend;
• Don’t assume a blind person can’t see just because he or she is blind
• When meeting a blind person, wait for him to extend his or hand for a handshake.
• Speak with normal tone. Don’t explain much; believe me he knows what you are looking for.
• Indicate the end of the conversation before walking away
• Use vision oriented words such as see, look, and watch.
• Don’t assume a blind person always needs assistance and can’t do things for his or herself.
Beyond this tips, the best way to interact with a blind person is recognizing we are all human. No matter our deficiency.
