How to help blind people on the street or in a shelter: advice from the Ministry of Health
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In the conditions of a full-scale war, vulnerable categories of the population in Ukraine need special support. If you are near a blind person, do not hesitate to help them. The Ministry of Health reminded how to behave and how to offer help to people with visual impairments on the street or in a shelter. It is important that a blind person is accompanied. He will be able to help evacuate to a safe place and receive humanitarian aid if needed. Visual impairments are different: total blindness; low vision; reduced vision Most people with visual impairments (about 90% of people) have residual vision, that is, they distinguish the color and contours of objects and light and shadow. Photo: halfpoint//Depositphotos Blind people remember where they put their things in order to find them quickly. Therefore, it is important not to rearrange them, even with the intention of helping. If you have accidentally moved a person’s belongings to another place, report it. How to help visually impaired people Touch your shoulder or elbow and ask: “Can I help you?”. You should not grab a person’s hand and drag him somewhere. Remember that she has to accept your help. If your help is accepted, ask her to take you by the hand and walk half a step ahead. During a conversation, address the person directly and call them by name. Also talk about what surrounds you and what is happening around you. You can name everyone present in the room. If you are leaving, please let us know. Sometimes your help is not needed. Do not be offended, perhaps a person knows this section of the path well and the escort will only hinder him in his orientation in space. When accompanying a person with visual impairments, it is important to describe the obstacle on the way (“attention, steps” or “now there will be a curb”). It is advisable for a person to be in the closest or most convenient place to the exit – this will speed up his evacuation. Also, tell about the features of the room that can be dangerous for her (the presence of stairs, thresholds, etc.). When describing the premises, you should be specific. You should not say “the chair is there” or show with gestures. It is better to say: “Immediately to the left of the door there is a small table” (it is customary to describe rooms clockwise). Do not try to forcibly seat the person. Invite her to sit down, describe exactly where the chair is and place her hand on the back of the chair. If you are with a visually impaired person in an unfamiliar place, describe it and be sure to show where the toilet, kitchen and exits are. “Communicate with a person with visual impairments as you would with any other person you know. Be friendly and show respect,” the Ministry of Health emphasizes. We will remind, as a result of the war in Ukraine, the number of people with disabilities is increasing, so adults should explain to children how to communicate with the injured. Read also: How Ukrainians can go abroad for treatment during martial law – Ministry of Health
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