• Don’t talk to a BLIND PERSON as if he/she is deaf. The fact that a BLIND PERSON can not see is no indication that he/she can not hear well
• Don’t fail to speak. Even if you say only one word on approaching a blind person, it announces your presence and helps him/her to identify you
• Speak directly to the BLIND PERSON – if your gaze wonders, your voice will follow
• Don’t fail to shake hands when meeting or leaving a BLIND PERSON– for a BLIND PERSON a cordial handshake can substitute for a friendly smile.
• Orientate a BLIND PERSON to the room e.g. toilet, stairs
• At public gatherings, inform the BLIND PERSON where the guest speaker platform is when a public address system is used.  This will enable the BLIND PERSON to face the speaker, rather than the nearest amplifier, which could cause embarrassment.
• Don’t fail to tell a BLIND PERSON who the other people in a room are, so that he/she may know of their presence.
• Never leave a BLIND PERSON standing in the middle of a room or corridor, but rather leave them in contact with a wall or piece of furniture from which he/she can obtain a direction of travel
• Don’t leave a BLIND PERSON abruptly after conversing with him/her in a noisy area without quietly advising him/her that you are leaving. He/she may find him- or herself in the embarrassing position of talking when no one is present to listen.
• Don’t pity a BLIND PERSON, nor express sympathy for him/her in his/her presence.
• Don’t exclaim “marvellous” or “wonderful” merely because a BLIND PERSON may do many of the normal things such as dial a number on the telephone, consult his/her watch for the correct time or sign his/her name.
• Avoid all unnecessary handling of a BLIND PERSON. Use verbal instructions if at all possible, and ensure the verbal instructions are clear and accurate.
• Don’t address a BLIND PERSON through his/her companion or guide, thereby presuming that he/she is unable to speak for him- or herself.

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