Mobility: Guiding the Visually Impaired

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+ "There is no better way to thank God for your

sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark." - Helen Keller
This strategy is for when a teacher has a visually impaired student in her class that needs guiding. It ensures the proper ways on how to hold onto the person (for the follower and guide), proper information to relay to the follower, and proper questions to ask.

Characteristics and Benefits

The characteristics that a student might have when using this strategy is low vision or no vision at all. This strategy is necessary for students to assure that they are traveling safety and becoming familiar with their surroundings. It would be very beneficial during the first weeks of school, while transitioning (in class or out of class), and when traveling outside of the school (playground).

Documentation
When documenting this you can keep a journal of how much guidance you have to offer to the student. The ultimate goal is to have the student become more and more independent.

References:

Chen, D., & Smith, J. (1992). Developing orientation and mobility skills in students who are multihandicapped and visually.. Re:View, 24(3), 133. Hunt, N & Marshell, K. (2012). Children who are blind or have low vision. Kerr, M. & Taylor, J. (Eds.), Exceptional children and youth. (pp. 418-444). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Phillips, C. L. (2011). Getting from Here to There and Knowing Where: Teaching Global Positioning Systems to Students with Visual Impairments. Journal Of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 105(10), 675-680.

Before implementing Some questions to consider

before guiding a person: Ask if they need assistance, ask how they would like to be guided (take your arm or you take theirs), and take your cue from the blind person. Some things to consider when guiding the person: Explain changes in ground surface, explain where you are going and what is happening, and dont leave people stranded.

1. Stance: a. Guide: stand with your arm relaxed at your side or bent at the elbow. b. Follower: Arm should be bent at the elbow placing you one half step behind the person who is guiding. c. Consider pace that is comfortable for the guide and follower. 2. Narrow passage: a. Guide: Face forward, move your arm diagonally across your back b. Follower: Straighten your arm out and move directly behind the guide. 3. Turning around: a. Guide: Tell the follower that you are turning in to face them. Offer your other arm. Finish the turn once the follower has grasped your arm b. Follower: Face the guide. Take hold of the guides other arm while releasing your original grasp. Hold onto the other arm. 4. Changing sides: a. Guide: Ask the follower to change sides, and then bring your arm behind you. b. Follower: Take the guides arm with your free hand and release your original grasp. Slide that hand across the guides back to the other arm. Bring your second hand across to the guides other arm. Take normal position.

Step-by-Step Directions