Barriers to communication due to visual impairment

Recently, visually impaired people have begun to organize information days and lectures themselves and have issued leaflets to inform the general public about their special needs.
Obstacles to communication of visually impaired people are mainly due to the lack of visual contact with the surrounding environment. One does not get enough information about the environment to use it in different situations and activities. However, it is often difficult for bystanders to comprehend the impediment to vision, and this can lead to a number of misunderstandings in life situations.

Here are some tips for interacting with people who are visually impaired.
You can recognize a blind person or a visually impaired person by following a white cane while walking outdoors. The blind man travels along familiar routes according to learned landmarks (landmarks are immutable objects along the route).
If you notice that a blind person is wrong or needs help crossing the carriageway, then:
• When speaking, touch her forearm. Otherwise, he doesn't know you're talking to him.
• Ask if she needs help. If the answer is no, do not force your help on him.
• Communicate directly with the blind person, not with the person accompanying them or the guide dog. Usually a person with visual impairment hears well.
• When pointing to something, use the words "left", "right", "top", "bottom", etc. With the word "there", a blind person cannot get information about the location of an object.
• You are free to use the words "see" and "view" in your speech.
• Don't say "I bring (bring)" you. The better expression is "I'll go with you".
• If you see a visually impaired person in a queue, help them find the end of the queue. If serial numbers are used, make sure the blind person gets their number and knows when to turn.
• When entering the car, point the hand of the visually impaired person to the door handle, with the door open, to the top of the door. In this way, he can determine his position in relation to the car door.
• Do not leave a blind person alone in the driveway, in the middle of a sidewalk, without a handrail staircase or near an open door, but in a safe place.
When dealing with people with visual impairments in daily life, avoid doing the following:
• Do not leave blind people with poor communication or information blocking. Talk to him about your phenomenon. Describe objects, situations, and surroundings to give the blind person an idea of ​​what is around them. When meeting someone who is visually impaired, say your name to avoid ignorance when communicating.
• Do not use mimics and gestures when communicating in the presence of the blind person; the blind person perceives it and feels excluded.
• Do not leave the blind person unannounced during a conversation in a noisy room. Otherwise, he may not notice it and, on his own, will end up in an embarrassing situation.
• Do not comment on others if you notice a mistake in the blind man's clothing, but draw his attention to it.
• Do not substitute retelling for blind people with readable text. The same applies when a blind person is presented with a document that he or she must sign. Visually impaired does not relieve a person of responsibility for documents and it is important that the blind person is aware of all the information contained in the document to be signed.
• Do not show excessive curiosity when dealing with a blind person. Chat with a normal voice, don't try to talk hard. Try to behave quite normally when you are with the blind. If you notice that a blind person is interested in someone's appearance, you can tactfully describe it.
• Do not disseminate information that has come to your attention when assisting a visually impaired person and that is confidential to them (letters, diagnoses, bank accounts, etc.).
• Do not express doubt or uncertainty about the ability of the blind person to work or study. A person who is visually impaired will immediately perceive him or her as being inferior due to his or her visual impairment. A supportive group relationship is the basis of both coping and working (What You Do, ...... 1997).

In general, it can be observed that the relationship between the visually impaired and the so-called. vision is best achieved when minimal attention is paid to visual impairment (Vassenin 2003).