06/26/2026
Us folks who are blind would like to invite you folks who are sighted to learn from our lived experience.
Imagine this scenario:
I’m blind and I am standing at an intersection listening to traffic when suddenly a sighted person who assumes I need help grabs my arm or my cane and starts pulling or pushing me across the street. This happens often without even speaking to me. This is not helpful!
In fact, it’s dangerous.
When we are grabbed it is alarming and puts us at risk. You take away our ability to navigate safely with our cane, making it harder for us to detect uneven pavement, steps or obstacles. A sudden pull or push can disorient us directionally and can cause falls or collisions with others. The grabbing itself can also cause us injury.
DO NOT touch or grab anyone or our mobility device. If someone grabbed another person without consent, it would be considered assault. Why should it be any different for someone who is blind or who uses other mobility devices. We deserve the same respect and bodily autonomy as anyone else.
It can be terrifying for us. Imagine walking alone in the dark on a foggy day when someone suddenly grabs you. You can’t see their face or their intentions only a shadowy figure making physical contact without warning. For many of us, traveling alone can be can be deeply unsettling.
If you perceive danger yelling “hey you, look out” or “watch out,” neither is helpful. We do not know what we should be “looking out” or “watching out” for. Nor do we know that you are talking to us.
What would help.
Yelling “Lady with the white cane. Stop! Electric bike on your left. This identifies you are talking to me, you are telling me what to do and why. Clear communication, we do not have visual cues.
How to offer assistance in kind and respectful way.
First Introduce yourself and ask if help is needed.
Example: "Hi, I’m Nicole, Would you like help crossing the street?"
Sharing your name allows us to make a connection with you that we can’t do to identify you visually. (Not necessary but friendly).
Respect our answer. If we decline help, don’t take it personally, not everyone requires help.
Please note “No” today doesn’t mean your offer won’t be appreciated another time. Some of us are independent travelers and may not need assistance. While sometimes we just need to figure things out for ourselves, as there won’t always be someone around to assist.
If we say “yes, “ then ask us how we prefer to be helped as we are all different from each other, (whether sighted or non sighted, no rwo people are the same. )
Example: "How can I best assist you?" Everyone has different abilities and preferences so, always follow our lead. We know what we meed best.
Some of us may prefer verbal directions, others may choose to take your elbow or arm rather than be pulled and some of us may want to walk beside you or follow. When at unfamiliar intersections some of us may want to stand at the intersection for another round or two of lights so we can fully understand how the traffic moves at that particular intersection.
The Bottom Line
Never grab anyone or our mobility device . It’s not helpful, it’s not safe and it is not respectful. A simple ask goes a long way in making sure your help is actually helpful.
One of the easiest and kindest things anyone can do is simply say “hello.” That small word lets us know you’re there so If we need help, we’ll ask you. Your verbal “hello” is taken as a smile, nod, wave or friendly gesture those of us who are blind or have low vision, miss out on. Inclusion is as easy as one word. 🤔 One word!
If you have met someone who is blind, remember you have only met one person who is blind.
“Having a disability doesn’t change who we are. It changes our interactions with the world ,” - Gina Martin
Our programs support learning around disability and disability related topics. Creating more awareness takes the guess work out and normalizes our differences. This creates more inclusive and accessible classrooms, workspaces and communities.
Be kind, be respectful.
One small shift, is action and action becomes change. www.DiverseAbilities.ca
’tGrab
Photo description.
A lady is standing at an intersection, waiting to cross the road . She is holding a white cane and wearing dark glasses. Another lady approaches and is grabbing her arm to assist.
