1. Always use names

Always use a visually impaired student’s first name when addressing them. This way they will know you are talking to them and not someone else. When passing in hallways instead of saying, “Hi” have people announce their name as students may not be able to recognize faces. An example, “Hi Sara, it’s Mrs. Murphy, how are you today?” Prompt fellow students to do the same because this fosters connection in the school community.

How do you better connect with a blind person in your life and include them more in your world?  Relax and be yourself. Here are some tips to get you going.

If there’s a blind person living in your community, introduce yourself and offer to show them around the neighborhood. Take steps to include them in formal
and informal events so that they do not become isolated, which can often occur..

Whether you’re inviting a blind guest over for dinner or adjusting to a relative’s recent loss of vision, here are some tips to help make your home more accessible and comfortable.

Keep the Floor Clear

Before your guest arrives, clear your floor of objects like shoes, toys, or books so your guest can navigate more easily.

Blind students can adapt to a classroom and perform like any other student. Classmates may need help in understanding how to interact with a blind peer and what to do to socially include them. A blind person in the classroom can bring life experiences and share perspectives that benefit all learners and can enrich the group’s learning experience.

Blind people can be as effective as sighted people, yet they still experience social exclusion – both in job interviews and the workplace itself.