If a blind person asked you for directions, would you be able to provide clear instructions?
I find it fascinating that blind people can navigate their surroundings with a cane, dog, or a clicking device. Joy Ross is the blind woman in this video. She shows us what it’s like to explore a new space with her service dog. Rather than go into too much detail, I’ll let Joy explain how she felt throughout the experience and why she wanted to share her experience with the rest of us.
From Joy Ross, the woman in the video:
Hey guys, if you would, please take a few minutes and watch this very educational video from my shopping experience at Macy’s department store the other day.
If you want to learn how to give helpful directions to someone who is blind, this video will help. You will see/hear real life examples of what not to do in those types of situations.
Video Description
In the first part of the video you’ll hear me ask a sales associate for directions to the elevator. Listen to her response! She gave me directions that were not possible for a completely blind individual to understand. Next, you’ll see/hear a very polite customer who offered me assistance to the elevator. Then, after Antonia and I found our way out of the elevator and downstairs on the main level, you will see/hear other individuals who tried to give us helpful directions to where we were wanting to go. Some of the directions were very helpful and others were not.
Let me just say, when you are helping someone who cannot see anything, words like “over there”, “on the back wall”, or “Go straight and turn right”, are just not detailed enough for a blind person to understand.
Remember, if you are completely blind, it is very easy to be disoriented, especially if you are in an unfamiliar place, that is why it is very necessary to give the blind individual orientation to the area when giving detailed directions.
PS. To truly understand what I’m talking about, you need to watch the entire video. And I believe I can speak for everyone in the blind Community when I say… If you do not know how to help or give us assistance, there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking. In fact, if I were you, that would be the best place to start! Thank you 🙂
