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WHAT TO DO WHEN MEETING A PERSON
WITH A VISION IMPAIRMENT |

- Use his name so he will know you are
speaking to him. Introduce anyone else who may be with you.
- Always speak directly to him, not through
his companion or guide.
- Don't push, poke or shove; ask if help is
needed. He may wish to take your arm when traveling or may only need
directions.
- Remember that a dog guide is a working
dog. Don't divert the dog's attention; its master's safety depends on its
alertness.
- When showing him to a chair, put his hand
on the back of the chair, he will seat himself. If leaving the room, please
let him know.
- Don't use hand signals. People with
visual impairments will probably not see waving or pointing hands.
- When helping him into a car, guide his
hand to the door, he will do the rest.
- When dining, ask if he needs help. If so
describe the location of the place setting and food on the plate according to
the clock face: meat at 12 o'clock, potato at 6, etc. At a restaurant, offer
to read the menu.
- As your house guest, show him the: guest
room, furniture, light switches, electrical outlets, bathroom and kitchen.
Hazards such as open staircases and glass doors should be pointed out
- Don't leave cabinet, or other doors
partially open. This can be unsafe and cause accidents.
- When speaking to him don't omit words
like, "See" or "Look"... People with visual impairments are not offended by
these words. Words like these are part of normal conversation. Who wants to be
asked if they have heard any good movies lately?
- He may or may not wish to discuss
blindness issues with you. Please respect his privacy. Remember that his
disability is only one feature of his personality. He is an individual with
interests and needs similar to your own.
- Please allow him to be independent; he has
worked hard to develop his other senses to compensate for his vision loss.
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THE LAW IN THE UNITED STATES |

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Drivers must yield the right of way when
they see a person using a white cane or guide dog.
- Only legally blind people may carry white
canes.
- Blind people can bring there certified
guide dogs (in harness) into all public places including: grocery stores,
restaurants and hospitals.
- Landlords and innkeepers cannot refuse a
blind person lodging because he uses a guide dog. Guide dogs are not pets.
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The Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) gives civil rights protections to blind people
similar to those given to people based on their race, color, sex, national
origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals
with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state
and local government services, and telecommunications.
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