Keystone Blind Association: How to Be a Sighted Guide

Human Services: How to Be a Sighted Guide

"When acting as a sighted guide, you are two people wide."
-- Be sure to watch for overhangs or obstacles at head level --

• Please ask the person with the vision impairment if he or she needs help first.

• If the person would like a guide, then lightly touch the back of the person's hand with your hand. The person will then slide his arm up your arm to just above your elbow. He should maintain a firm grip with the fingers on the inside of the arm and the thumb on the outside. This grip ensures the highest level of safety for both people. The guide should keep his forearm horizontal with the floor.

Locations
• Walking
• Stairs
• Escalators
• Stopping
• Doors
• Narrow Spaces
• Vehicles
• Seating

• WALKING: When walking, the person should walk about 1/2 step behind you. Never push her ahead of you. Walk naturally at his or her pace. Pause when you approach curbs, doors, steps, or any change in surface. Let her feel your natural body movement to indicate changes ahead. Its perfectly fine to tell the person what is going on, too.

• STAIRS: Approach the stairs so that the person's arm or hand touches the handrail. Be sure he is using the rail. Before going up or down stairs, make a pause, take the first step, pause again, and then proceed.

• ESCALATORS: Let the person know you are getting on one (and if it is up or down) before you do so. Make sure he or she is holding the handrail.

• STOPPING: There are many times you will have to stop or pause. Its a courtesy to let him know why you are slowing, stopping or waiting.

• DOORS: The guide always goes through the door first. Let the person help to hold the door open if possible. Tell the person which way the door opens (toward or away, left or right).

• NARROW SPACES: Pulling your elbow closer and slightly behind you or putting your guiding arm across your waist behind your back will indicate that the space is narrowing and that she should move behind you.

• VEHICLES: When getting into a vehicle, place the person's hand on the door handle, letting him or her open the door, enter, and close the door independently. Verbally tell the person where to find the seat belt.

• SEATING: When guiding a person to a chair, simply place their hand on the back or arm of the chair. Entering booths in restaurants, place her hand on the table edge and slide it in the direction you wish her to move.

Get Involved Links Contact Us