9.5.5 Personal contact with people who have impaired vision
- Make sure the person you are talking to knows you are speaking to them. Touching the person gently on the arm or shoulder is a good way to get their attention.
- Introduce yourself.
- Speak directly to the person, and not via a third party who might be with them.
- Identify any other person who becomes involved in the transaction (e.g. ‘My manager is here now, on your right-hand side’).
- If you want to guide a vision-impaired person to another part of the library, let them take your arm – don’t grab theirs. Mention any potential hazards ahead and say where they are.
- If you are guiding someone into a seat, place their hand on the back of the seat before they sit down, so that they can orientate themselves.
- When handing more than one item to a vision-impaired person, explain which is which.
- Let the person you are dealing with know if you need to end the conversation, as they may be unable to see visual clues.
- Don’t walk away without saying that you are leaving. Ask if the person wants to be guided back to a particular place, or to a chair or the edge of the room.
- Don’t pet guide dogs. When they are in the library they are working, so don’t interfere.
- Write out important information for people with low vision in large clear letters in black felt-tip pen. This gives a clear unbroken line, so is easier to see than ordinary ink or ballpoints. Don’t use a marker pen, though – if the tip is too thick, the words will be very hard to read.
- Make sure that you have a large sheet magnifier and other small aids (such as magnifying glasses) available for public use. Let people know what is on offer.
- Identify any other person who becomes involved in the transaction (e.g. ‘My manager is here now, on your right-hand side’).
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- 1. Introduction
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- 4. What are you saying?
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- 9.5.1 How to say it on the phone
- 9.5.2 Personal contact with people with disabilities: the essentials
- 9.5.3 Personal contact with people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing
- 9.5.4 Personal contact with people with speech impairments
- 9.5.5 Personal contact with people who have impaired vision
- 9.5.6 Personal contact with people with other forms of impairment
- 9.6 How to say it electronically
- 10. Where to say it
- 11. Display the right way
- 12. How to tell people where to go
- 13. Planning how to say it
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- Guide to Communication: Say It Write
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