You may need to guide a deafblind customer around while you are serving them. Here are some basic dos and don’ts:
Do
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Offer your arm for the deafblind person to hold and they will follow you.
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Let them hold the handrail on stairs and walk in front of them, waiting at the top or bottom to guide them.
Don’t
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Please don’t grab, push or pull a deafblind person – this can cause an accident and be very frightening for them.
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Don’t hurry the deafblind person; and try to make sure you don’t bump them into anything.
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Sudden changes of direction are best avoided – deafblind people often have problems with balance.
If you have to take a deafblind customer through a narrow space or doorway, move the arm they are holding onto gently behind you. As the deafblind person feels your arm move they will automatically move so that they are behind you.
When you are showing a deafblind person to a seat or chair, put their hand on the arm or seat of the chair and let them sit down. Please don’t try to push them into the seat.
