Guide Dogs Victoria Etiquette

People who are blind or have a vision impairment come from all walks of life. Some have experienced vision loss their entire life, whilst others may have lost their vision more recently. Either way, they are valued members of our community and deserve respect.

People who are blind or have vision impairment contribute to our community as parents, students, volunteers and in a variety of professional careers. It is inappropriate to focus on the person's disability or the cause of their disability by referring to them as the 'disabled person' or 'stroke victim'. It is more appropriate to refer to them as you would anyone else, as a 'person', 'teacher', 'physiotherapist' or which ever title is appropriate.

Some people are unsure as to how to interact or communicate with a vision impaired person. The simple answer is: just as you would anyone else. Listed below are some tips that may help you assist friends, colleagues or family members with a vision impairment.

Vision impairment

• There are hundreds of different eye and neurological conditions that can cause vision impairment and total blindness and not all of these have obvious outward symptoms.  Only a low percentage of people are totally blind and see nothing at all.

Meeting a person with a vision impairment

• When greeting a person with a vision impairment, introduce yourself. This is beneficial at a first time meeting, but also while the person is getting to know you and the sound of your voice.
• Talk directly to the person. There is no need to communicate through a third person. This also applies to people using a Guide Dog - always address the person not the dog.
• If the person is accompanied by a Guide Dog, do not pat or distract the dog while it is in harness. A dog in a harness is a working dog.
• In a group situation, introduce the person to other members of the group.
• Speak as you usually would. There is no need to speak more slowly or loudly, or to avoid words like 'look' or 'see'.
• Be sure to tell the person when you are about to leave so they are not left talking to themselves.
• If you leave the person alone, particularly in an unfamiliar environment, never leave them standing in the middle of a room. Ensure that they have contact with an object such as a chair, table or wall.
  
  

Offering assistance

• Offer your help rather than assuming the person needs your assistance.
• If the person accepts your offer to assist them, let them take your arm, usually just above the elbow. Never grab or push them.
• If the person needs directions, give clear and precise directions using indicators such as left or right, compass points or clock face directions eg 'the table is four steps to your left', or 'the carrots on your plate are at 4 O'clock'. Avoid vague descriptions such as 'over there'.
• If the person is familiar with the area, describe any changes to the layout that may create an obstacle eg if a table has been moved.
  
  

In a retail/restaurant situation

• When the person enters, greet them and ask if they require any assistance.
• The person will usually seat themselves. If they require assistance, place their hand on the back of the chair so that they can seat themselves.
• In a restaurant, offer to read the menu to them including the prices. When serving the food, offer to tell them about the objects on the table such as water, pepper and salt, and also the position of the food on their plate. Clock face directions are particularly useful when explaining the position of food on a plate.
• If the person is accompanied by a Guide Dog, do not offer the dog any food.
• Guide Dogs have access all public places. Their rights are upheld by the Domestic Animals Act 1994 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 - both of which override the Health Act which prohibits dogs from entering food premises.
  
  

Public transport

• People with a vision impairment require the use of public transport as much as any other person. Public transport provides people with a vision impairment the opportunity to travel independently.  It is also important to remember that there are not always obvious outward symptoms of vision impairment.
• Bus and tram drivers, where possible, should call out their route number at stops where vision impaired passengers may wish to board. Drivers should also notify passengers of all stops at major intersections, transfer points, major destinations and any stop specifically requested.
• Vision impaired people legitimately need to ask what route number the bus or tram is travelling and where it is headed. It is important that drivers respond positively as a negative response may cause some vision impaired people to lose the confidence to get out by themselves.
• Taxi drivers should identify themselves by speaking to a passenger who is blind or vision impaired to let them know their ride has arrived. If the driver is to wait for the vision impaired passenger, they should describe where the car is parked, eg at the top of the driveway, to the left of the driveway etc.
• Assistance is appreciated but drivers should be sure to always ask first. Give meaningful directions by using words that are more descriptive such as 'to your left' rather than 'over there'.
• It is illegal to pass up a passenger because they have a Guide Dog - whether it is being used as a guide or trained to be a guide. This is supported by both the Domestic Animals Act 1994 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. More than one dog can be allowed on public transportation at the same time.
• No additional fare can be charged for a Guide Dog.
• A dog in a harness is a working dog. Guide Dogs are friendly, not aggressive, but should not be petted or distracted while in harness.