Helping the Blind

Many people can't understand or help a blind person. Many times they believe that helping a blind person is just like helping a sighted person with a blindfold. In fact, it's completely different. The sighted heavily rely on their sense of sight to tell them every piece of information that they see as normal. A blind person doesn't rely at all on his sense of sight, and now relies on all of his other senses to get a mental picture of what's around him.

The first way most sighted people want to help a blind person in by leading them. Another common way that sighted persons want to help the blind people is to direct them. In fact, guiding a blind person is a lot different then what you think. Remember- You're assisting them, not helping them.

They hold onto you

When you guide a blind person, they will want to hold onto you rather than the contrary. The blind person is able to control their own movements and only have to compensate for whatever you're doing. They can walk, find what it is they are sensing, and watch out for themselves. This not only adds to their independence, but also it is a way they are more comfortable with.

Use a group of finger controls

Being in control of how one is going to walk down the street is very empowering and wonderful. We, as humans, are balanced out and become more comfortable when we are allowed to sway our arms, our hips, and our legs in such a way that will allow to keep balanced When someone stops or hinders this, many imedietly feel they are out of control and a "child". One way to overcome or look out for this type of thing, you can set up a group of finger taps meaning right, left, step up, step down, etc. These finger taps, will give the blind person an anticipation for what is about to happen.
Ask

Always ask a blind person if they'd like some help. There are a lot of people that imedietly put on their Mr.-fix-it-Hat and take hold the person because this young man is going to help somebody. This will alarm many people, and might end up with a face full of pepper spray. Not only should you ask if they need help, you should also ask if they have a preference of a way to guide them. Some people just want someone to tell them what they are not picking up with their cane. A low bridge, a few tree branches right at head level, etc etc. In the end, pay very close attention to how you help the nonsighted. These are men and women that have carved out their own niche in a sighted world, and their independence is awe inspiring.