Blindness might be one of the most debilitating disabilities and visual problems can vary from one individual to another. These individuals can have different attitudes, personality’s skills and needs, but there are various ways to contribute to life and helping a blind person too. Always when dealing with a blind person, identify yourself clearly and when in a social situation introduce the blind person and bring them into conversations, but introduce everybody present who participate in the conversation.
Many people make the mistake to speak loudly when speaking with a blind person and it is important to remember that vision loss does not mean hearing impairment unless the individual is both deaf and blind. When communicating with a blind person you do not need to be concerned when they do not look at you directly either.
Something else that is helpful and considerate is helping an individual verbally during a walk-through in a strange building and pointing out points of interest and key locations like restrooms, cafeteria, exits, etc. when you are with a person using a guide dog always treat the dog as if it is not there unless you have permission from the disabled person as you could unnecessarily distract or spoil the dog.
When dealing with another sensory disability which is deafness you will find challenging situations in communication especially when large crowds are present. A disabled person in this instance could feel depression, hopelessness, low self-esteem, frustration and loneliness. Always find ways to communicate and determine ways that are easy and acceptable to them as each deaf person differ from the next.
When you have a direct member or loved one in your family take the time to learn sign when you find it is the best for the disabled person involved. Using computers and word processors, drawing pictures and writing words are other ways that a deaf person will either use or find helpful. Something many people do is talking too loudly when speaking to a completely deaf person. Shouting will not make them hear and they can actually see and sense that you shout and it would be embarrassing to them when you focus and draw attention on their disability.