What is sighted guide?

Making initial contact with a blind person

• Speak in a normal tone. A blind person can generally hear quite well. Just because they can't necessarily see, does not automatically mean that they can't hear you.
• When entering a room where a blind person is, address the person and announce yourself by name. Eg. "Hi Kathy, it's John in front of you".
• If at a table and a blind person joins you, initiate the greeting and identify yourself.
  
• If you start a conversation, again address the person by name. If you don't, he/she might not realise that you are talking to them.
• If you must leave, make sure that you tell them you are leaving the room/area. The blind person may not hear/see you leave, and could feel embarrassed if they are left talking to themselves.
• If the blind person has a guide dog, remember to talk to the person and not the dog. Please do not try to pat or feed the dog, as even though it may be seated, it is still on duty. Walking up and patting or attempting to feed a dog on duty (although seemingly harmless) could quite quickly distract the dog from its' duties, and become a safety issue. Regardless of your location (eg. when at a BBQ) always ask first. It is up to the guide dog user whether or not he/she allows you to. Most people would not just go up to a neighbourhood dog and pat it, and so too people should not just walk up to guide dogs and expect to be able to pat them.
  

When you guide a blind person

• Offer assistance, and ask how you can best help them. (Never grab a blind person unexpectedly, pull them along, or steer them from behind).
• To establish contact with a blind/visually impaired person, touch the back of your hand to the back of their hand as a signal for them to take your arm.
• Be very precise when giving directions.

Walking side by side

• Place yourself next to the blind person and offer your arm (which should be straight and pointing to the ground). He/she should hold you firmly above the elbow (with their arm bent at the elbow). This way, the blind person is a half-step behind you, which allows him/her to know when you change direction.

Narrow spaces

• If you are guiding and the blind person is behind you, you should move your arm towards the middle of your back. This lets him/her know that he/she is entering a narrow space.
• When it is possible to walk side by side again, place your arm in the normal position, by your side. The blind person will then follow your lead and reposition themselves by your side.

Using the stairs

• Come to a complete stop before the stairs. 
• Inform the blind person as to which side the hand rail is on (Eg. "the hand rail is on your right" or "the hand rail is on your left"). Occasionally, there may not be a rail.
  
• The blind person takes hold of the hand rail (if available), and lines their foot up with the first step.
• It is good to mention how many steps there are, and in which direction they go. (Eg. "There are 3 steps down to the path" or "there are 12 steps up before a flat area").
• Proceed with the steps together in rhythm, the guide always one step ahead. Be careful not to go too fast or too slow up or down the stairs.
• Stop at the end of the stairs and tell them when you arrive at the last step.
  

Taking a seat

• When approaching a chair, ask the blind person if you can place their hand on the back of the seat. Sometimes they may prefer to be led to the chair, but seat themselves.
  
• Give information about the type of seat it is (Eg. chair, bench seat, rocking chair, metal or plastic etc.)
• Alert the blind person as to which way the seat is facing (Eg. "I am putting your hand on the back of the seat - it is facing away from you" or "We are now in front of the seat, and the back of the seat is nearest to you").
  

What to do when approaching a doorway

• You should tell the blind person when he/she is approaching a door and in which direction it opens. (Eg. "the door opens to your left towards us" or "the door opens away from us to the right").
  
• Allow them to find the handle by describing its position (Eg "the handle is about waist height on your right") and ensure that they pass safely through it.
  

Safety measures to be aware of when sighted guiding

• Keep floors clear. (This avoids having to navigate unnecessary obstacles).
  
• Keep doors entirely open or closed. (This avoids the possibility of running into them).
  
• Keep cupboard doors closed. (An opened door could easily cause injury).
• Announce changes in the environment (eg. "We are about to go onto grass", "we are approaching a crossing" or "the ground along here will be a little uneven for the next few metres").
• Return chairs to the table when leaving them. (This way the chair does not become an obstacle).
• Blind travellers with guide dogs may not require physical assistance. Most importantly, ask whether or not the guide dog user needs assistance. Occasionally, they may if in tight spaces! (Eg. in a  busy restaurant with lots of tables quite close to each other). In this case, the sighted person may lead the blind person using the "narrow space" method and the guide dog will walk behind on a shortened leash so it stays close behind them. A guide dog is said to be "at work" when guiding. Make sure to ask if you wish to talk to, or pat the dog. Not doing so, may distract the dog and impair the safety of the blind person.