‘Tis the season of holiday get-togethers. How to include people who are blind or have low vision, and help them feel comfortable at these events?
• Always introduce yourself by stating your name when you meet. Encourage other people to do the same. Avoid asking the person “Who am I?” type questions, as guessing games can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. Not all people with vision loss are able to tell others apart by their voices!
• Calling the name of a person with vision loss is like making eye contact with a sighted person. Touch their arm or shoulder lightly as you do so, to be sure they know you are addressing them
• When you are with a person who is blind or has low vision, and you greet someone in passing, be sure to greet anyone you meet by name so the student knows who it is.
• Introduce people to one another! When introducing someone to a person who is blind/low vision, it’s helpful to include a description. You may also want to tell them something about what a person’s job is or a friend they have in common.