26/10/2025
Five helpful tips when walking past those of us who are blind or partially sighted.
1. Please say “hello” to us because we cannot see your smile, wave or nod of acknowledgment. Your verbal “hello” is taken as that smile and friendly gesture, that we miss out on, visually
2. Please use your words by saying “I am passing on your left” or “ hello, have a nice day!” when you speak it alerts us that you are there. When we know you’re there, if any help is needed, you just opened the door for us to ask you. What is great about this tip is by saying “hello” you are treating us like everyone else and that is all anyone really wants.
3) If you notice low hanging branches, vehicle mirrors sticking out or other objects that our head may hit, it is helpful if you let us know so we can duck or put our arm up or move to protect our face and head. Our canes alert us to low objects but not to objects above our waist. Yeling “look out” or “watch out” is not helpful because we do not see what we should be looking or watching out for.
4. When you see someone coming toward you who is using a cane or has a guide dog. Please move out of the way so we can pass. Please do not just be quiet. Your hello and letting us know you are there is very helpful. Never try to jump over our cane 🦯 if you miss and accidentally break the cane, that can be detrimental to those of us who rely on it for mobility and independence.
5. Please never grab or pull anyone especially if we are blind. When this happens it takes our ability to effectively use our cane and can put us in harms way, not to mention the grabbing could also cause injury. We visually cannot see your intentions and being grabbed or touched by strangers is not appreciated. Just use your voice, that is truly most helpful.
“Having a disability doesn’t change who I am it changes my interactions with the world!” Gina Martin
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Photo description
A woman is walking down a sidewalk with her white cane.
