Most people with vision loss are able to travel independently but there may be times when a sighted guide comes in handy.

These steps will provide the skills and confidence you need to guide someone comfortably, respectfully, and safely.

Step 1: Introduction

When approaching a person with vision loss, the guide initiates the greeting. Identify yourself (“Hi Mike, it’s Lucy.” or “Hello there, my name is John.”) and then ask if assistance is desired. If so, gently touch the back of the person’s hand with your own as a signal for her to take your arm. If no assistance is needed, continue with your interaction and respect the person’s independence.

Step 2: Basic Sighted Guide Technique

The person with vision loss will take your arm just above the elbow with her fingers on the inside of your arm and her thumb on the outside – this is a very natural way for the two of you to be connected. Never take the person’s arm or hand, or try to push or pull her along. Not only is this considered rude, it is also a much more difficult method of navigation for the person you are guiding.

The person may have a preference as to whether she holds your left or right arm; either way is fine. Usually she will take the lead and indicate which side she prefers. The person’s grip will typically be firm enough to maintain contact with you, but relaxed enough to be comfortable.

Hold your arm naturally in a straight, relaxed position at your side. The person you are guiding stands to your side about half a step behind you. Her arm will also be relaxed, with the elbow bent at about 90 degrees, and held close to her body.

Take care not to stand too close together or too far apart: too close feels uncomfortable and may make you trip over each other. Too far away means you take up too much space. Walk at a normal pace. The guided person will feel your motion and follow along comfortably.

When approaching any irregularities in terrain, for example, stepping from a concrete sidewalk onto grass, let the person know ahead of time.

Step 3: Providing More Support

There may be times where you’ll be guiding somebody who needs a bit more support. In this case, you’ll want to stay closer together, and the person may hold your arm a bit more tightly. She may even put an arm through yours and rest her hand on top of your forearm for maximum stability. In this case, bend your arm at the elbow, at a 90 degree angle, to provide this support.

Step 4: Switching Sides

Sometimes you may need to switch sides when opening doors, using handrails on stairways, or for a change of pace. Here you’ll learn how a person with vision loss switches from the guide’s left side to the guide’s right side.

First, the person with vision loss places her left hand on the guide’s arm, directly above her right hand or “grip hand.” Now she is holding onto the guide with both hands.

She will let go with her right hand and bring her left hand gently across the guide’s back until she connects with the guide’s right arm above the elbow. Now she can take a small step over to the guide’s right side and resume the normal sighted guide position.

You both might want to practice this technique while standing still – soon you’ll be able to do it while walking.

Step 5: Narrow Areas

In spaces where it’s awkward to walk side-by-side (narrow pathways, doorways, and in crowds), you will need to walk almost directly in front of the person you are guiding.

To get ready for this, move your guiding arm backwards and position it diagonally behind your back. This signals the narrowness of the space.

The person with vision loss will then straighten her gripping arm and step directly behind you. Now you’re in single file, one full pace apart. Her arm will be fully extended to prevent her from stepping on your heels.

When you’re finished negotiating the narrow space, bring your arm back and resume the normal guiding stance. The person you are guiding will pick up on this signal and move back into the standard position, one half-pace behind.

Step 6: Going Through Doors

Tell the person with vision loss when you are approaching a door, and describe it and the direction it opens (the side with the hinge). For example, you can say something like “We’re approaching a door opening to the left and toward us. It’s a large wooden door with a doorknob.”

The person with vision loss will switch sides if necessary so that she is on the same side that the door opens. The person guiding is responsible for opening the door (if it is not already open), but for safety reasons she will take charge after that. Once she has made hand contact with the door, it is her responsibility to hold it open until you have both cleared the doorway, and then to close it if necessary.

If the person you are guiding is unable to control the door (for example, if the person is injured and the door is heavy), you should take responsibility for holding and closing it.

Step 7: Stairs and Curbs

Tell the person with vision loss when you are both about to climb up or down stairs or curbs. Approach these squarely – never at an angle – and come to a full stop before you proceed up or down.

For stairs, the person may need to switch to the side with the handrail. You should tell her where the handrail is in relation to her body (“There’s a metal handrail on your left.”). She will then grasp the handrail and locate the first step by sliding one foot forward until the step is detected.

To begin, you step down (or up) one step, then both of you will proceed together in rhythm. As the guide, you will always be one step ahead.

Step 8a: Taking a Seat

This technique is used for approaching a seat from the front.

Bring the person with vision loss directly in front of her seat, with her knees almost touching it. Let her know that she is in front of a seat, and what type of seat it is (e.g. couch, bench, rocker, office chair with wheels, etc.). You should also tell her if the chair has arms or any other unusual features.

The person with vision loss examines the seat with one hand to determine its characteristics (soft? stable?) and see if there is anything on it. She will then turn around and sit down.

Step 8b: Taking a Seat at a Table

In this case, you will be approaching a chair from the back.

Place your own hand on the back of the chair, and tell the person you are guiding that you are at a chair pushed in to a table. She will then move her gripping hand down your arm until she is touching the back of the chair. At this point, you should step away. Next, she will locate the table with her free hand, which helps her judge how far to pull the chair out, and sit down.

Step 8c: Row Seating

This procedure is used for places such as auditoriums and concert halls.

First, walk in the usual guiding position to the row where the seats are located. Stop there, let the person know you have arrived at the row, and maintain the guiding grip. You should lead, so you may need to switch sides so you can enter the row first.

Now, proceed by side-stepping together along the row – turn your bodies as needed so as not to step on other patrons! When the person’s vacant seat is reached, let her know. She will back up until she feels the seat against the back of her knees, and then sit down.

When it is time to leave, you should stand up first and, if necessary, pass in front of the person with vision loss to be in a position to lead out. The person with vision loss will grip your arm, and both of you will side-step out together until you are in the aisle.

Step 9: Getting into a Car

Most people with vision loss can get into a car on their own if given proper cues and information.

First, tell the person which direction the vehicle is pointing (“to your left”), and place the person’s grip hand on the door handle. Guide her other hand to the roof above the top corner of the door – this is important to help avoid bumped heads. At this point, she can open the door and get seated safely in the car on her own.

If more physical assistance or verbal information is needed – for example, with seatbelts, canes or packages – you can provide this.

Once the person is seated in the car, it is important to clarify who will close the door – ask before you slam!

Step 10: Going Your Separate Ways

When it comes time to take leave of each other, be sure to tell the person you are guiding that you are about to go. “Goodbye, Andrea. I’m heading off now!” will usually do the trick. Make sure she left at a tangible reference point, such as a wall, facing a particular direction, or even in the company of other people. Not only is this courteous, but it also means she will not be left stranded in an open space talking to someone who has already moved on.