Courtesy tips for guiding people

Have you been asked to guide a person who is blind/low vision? Here are some pointers:

• Allow the person you are guiding to hold your arm and follow as you walk.
•  Move your guiding arm behind your back when approaching a narrow space so the person you are guiding can step behind you and follow single-file.
• Stop briefly at a curb or at the beginning of a flight of stairs. Tell the person you are guiding whether the steps go up or down, and allow them to find the handrail and locate the edge of the first step before proceeding.
• Do not grab the person you are guiding by the hand, arm, or shoulder and try to steer them. Nor should you grab the person’s cane or the handle of a dog guide’s harness.