In one of my classes there's a blind guy. I saw him on my way to class today and I could've easily help him find the classroom, but I don't know the appropriate thing to do here.

I think he'd appreciate help finding the classroom(he seems friendly), but what should I do? Is having him follow me by letting him hold onto the sleeve of my shirt acceptable? Any advice from past experiences would be appreciated.

8/28/2006 7:36:22 PM

Blind people aren't ornery like some people in wheelchars, from my experience. They tend to appreciate any help they can get, cause, you know... they can't see.


and yeah, sleeve holding is the most common way

[Edited on August 28, 2006 at 7:39 PM. Reason : vcv]

8/28/2006 7:39:00 PM

A hand job.

8/28/2006 7:40:54 PM

never hurts to ask the kid if he needs help

8/28/2006 7:41:40 PM

You could say you've never done this before, whats the best way for him to follow you without getting in his way?


if i was blind i'd definitely appreciate someone who genuinely wanted to help me make my day a little easier

8/28/2006 7:43:48 PM

I'd ask him if he'd like help... what's the worst that could happen? it's not like he's going to be seeing you again

[Edited on August 28, 2006 at 7:48 PM. Reason : ]

8/28/2006 7:48:41 PM

Just walk up to him like you would anyone else and start talking to him about class. He'll probably walk along with you since you're both heading in the same direction and then you don't even have to ask him if he needs help and potentially embarrass him.

8/28/2006 7:52:23 PM

Right before he sits down you could move his desk. He'd probably get a kick out of that.

8/28/2006 7:54:37 PM

just dont say "see you later" when you leave, its a little pompus

8/28/2006 8:00:30 PM

Was it Sina? Grad CSC class?

8/28/2006 8:01:07 PM

if i were blind, i wouldn't want someone pointing out my disability every chance they get to "do a good deed"

If i were blind and needed help more than any other person, I'd ask for it.

8/28/2006 8:21:53 PM

Just ask "hey, need me to point you in the right direction?"

8/28/2006 8:22:37 PM

Ask him what his favorite color is.



[Edited on August 28, 2006 at 8:32 PM. Reason : ]

8/28/2006 8:31:13 PM

I'm ashamed to admit that my initial reaction to this thread was "Poke them in the eyes."

8/28/2006 8:31:49 PM

meanwhile i thought of drawing a map

8/28/2006 8:34:32 PM

I honestly wouldn't worry about him getting too offended. Your intentions are where they should be, and if he gets peeved at good intentions... well, that's not really your problem.

So I say go for it. The sleeve idea or talking about class seem the most tactful ways. Report back, please

8/28/2006 8:41:13 PM

he may be faking being blind to get attention.

Moon him to make sure.

8/28/2006 8:50:33 PM

Quote :

"I'd ask him if he'd like help... what's the worst that could happen? it's not like he's going to be seeing you again"

LOL

^^Reporting back could be awhile. It all depends on when I run into the same situation. Today I just happened to arrive at the building around the same time as him.

^ Umm, the guy holds a stick in front of him to in case he's going to run into something. I am not taking any chances on a mishap.

8/28/2006 8:55:01 PM

Quote :

"I'd ask him if he'd like help... what's the worst that could happen? it's not like he's going to be seeing you again"

LOL...i'm crying ova here...hahahahahaha...tickled pink...hehehehteehehehehehehehe

8/28/2006 8:55:49 PM

i'd just say "hey man, my name's x. I'm in your class, you want a hand getting to clas?" or something along those lines. Use his name if you know it, otherwise he may not realize you're talking to him. When i've seen people walking with blind people in the past the blind person typically holds onto the other person's arm (forearm).

It would be a nice thing to do, especially if you've seen him having difficulty finding his way.

Or just start walking with him and talking to him about class, and then ask if it would help for him to grab hold of your arm. That may come off a little better than just going up and asking if he needs help.

8/28/2006 9:50:56 PM

I really dont think they'd be offended if you politely offered help, just dont force it on them. SIna i know would sometimes have his friend Mike leading him, and he's not 100% blind (just close).

8/29/2006 1:26:04 AM

you should lead him to the wrong classroom, and then go straight to hell

8/29/2006 7:03:59 AM

On numerous occasions I've had blind people ask me for help finding something (like not to take them there, just describe it) and in every single occasion I have made an ass of myself by saying something like

" Harrelson is ::points:: that round one over there"

"Take the left right there where that red car is at the light"

Its impossible for me to give directions without using sight reference. Each time the person was like "thank you" but I'm sure they walked away thinking "I'm gonna kick that bastard's ass next time I see him"...thankfully they were blind...like I said.

8/29/2006 7:35:36 AM

^zatoichi was blind, well, I think so

8/29/2006 9:02:46 AM

^ no he wasn't, he just acted like that to give him an advantage

8/29/2006 9:19:20 AM

i used to assist vision-impaired folks (an entire family of a father, mother, and daughter, some high school students, and a few other adults) and if they want help, they will ask you for it. most of the time they are very independant and like to do things on their own. it's very nice of you to want to help, but the polite thing to do is just strike up a conversation about class or whatever... if he needs a hand, he'll ask ya. maybe say something like "if you ever need the notes if you miss class or whatever, just let me know." that will let him know you're willing to help him without pointing out his disability.

8/29/2006 10:07:13 AM

Quote :

"never hurts to ask the kid if he needs help"

8/29/2006 10:08:50 AM

I laugh every time I read this thread.
I should point out that I have absolutely no useful contribution.

8/29/2006 6:27:35 PM

^^^

best idea

8/29/2006 6:35:40 PM

some of you people are making really immature comments


the kid could read this for crying out loud!

8/29/2006 6:36:55 PM

If you ask if they would like help and you are kind about it people in general react in a positive way.

8/30/2006 9:54:51 AM

Quote :

"the kid could read this for crying out loud!"

not sure if you were making a joke, but this site would be very easy to read with a standard computer screen reader

8/30/2006 12:43:11 PM

Quote :

"Right before he sits down you could move his desk. He'd probably get a kick out of that."

lmao

8/30/2006 1:12:51 PM

It wouldn't hurt to say "Where you heading?" and if its on your way walk with him for a while talking and when you get near the place say... "Its over to your left about 100 yards" or something. If it happens to be the same building you are going to, say "I'm heading there too" and walk with the guy then you don't even have to bother with directions. He'll probably realize if a complete stranger walks up to him and walks with him to class they are trying to be nice.

[Edited on August 31, 2006 at 10:26 AM. Reason : .]

8/31/2006 10:26:08 AM

i knew exactly what this thread was going to be before i even clicked on it...

kind of like rubber-necking at a car accident

CUE THE INSENSITIVITY ALARM
but I'm still laughing

8/31/2006 10:18:45 PM