1 community sighted guide training sighted guiding is a recognised technique used as a way of...

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Community SightedGuide training

Sighted guiding is a recognised technique used asa way of helping blind or partially sighted peopleget around safely.

My Guide service sighted guide training programme

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My Guide service sighted guide training

The My Guide training programme has been developed by Guide Dogs, in collaboration with its partners. However, the delivery of the training is the responsibility of the trainer or organisation providing the training.

Developed in partnership

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To understand and be aware of the benefits of sighted guiding

To learn how to give safe community sighted guiding and develop practical skills

To learn about sight loss and understand the emotional and practical consequences and barriers to independence

Course objectives

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Introduction and welcome Awareness of visual impairment Exercise Feedback Sighted guide techniques Practice Feedback Next steps Close

Programme

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Trained to act as eyes/vision with confidence In public as part of normal daily life

‘A sighted person giving appropriate assistance to ablind or partially sighted person to help themnegotiate the environment safely, whilst maintainingdignity and promoting independence’.

What is a Community Sighted Guide?

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Mobile phones off or on silent please We all agree for only one person to speak at a

time Relax! Say what you think Be respectful at all times

Guidelines to help the course run smoothly

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Exercise

True or false?

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Can’t drive How would I do my job? Going to new places Unable to apply make-up How would I look after my children? How would I feel about cooking? People are anxious about approaching me I used to be chatty but lack of eye contact changes that How would I use the internet? Change in job situation may mean I have less money

Barriers to independence

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Isolation Depression Feeling cut off from friends and family Low confidence Low self-esteem Poor self-image Loneliness Changed relationships if family are also carers The world becomes smaller Higher levels of anxiety

Emotional consequencesof sight loss

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Personal stories

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Important!

We do not want you to feel scared or worried You do not have to pretend to completely

understand being visually impaired If at any point you feel too uncomfortable to

continue, please tell your partner and stop

Exercise

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We can use our experience to Make us better guides Understand what’s most important

when being guided Practice in a safe, friendly environment Feel what it’s like to be guided well

How did it feel?

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How to guide a blind or partially sighted person

Tips for sighted guides

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Approaching someone and setting off

Introduce yourself and offer help Ask where the person wants

to go Stand by their side and let them

hold your arm above the elbow You start walking and they will

follow about half a step behind If they have a guide dog,

approach from the opposite side

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In a narrow space or busy area

Walk in single file Straighten your arm and

move it to the middle of your back

The person will step in behind you

Slow your pace a little

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Crossing a road

Say if the kerb is a step up or step down

Pause before you take the step so that the person can get ready

Describe to the person where they are

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Going up or down stairs or steps

Say if the steps go up or down The person’s free hand should be on the

side of the handrail Going up – pause for the person to

find the bottom step then move off. They will follow one step below you

Going down – let them find the handrail and first step down before moving off. They will follow one step behind

Say when you have reached the top or the bottom and pause

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Getting through doorways

Say whether the door opens towards or away from you and to the left or the right

Open the door with your guiding arm

As you walk through, the person you’re guiding should hold it open before following you through

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Taking a seat

Describe the type of seat, whether it has arms, and if there’s a table in front

Put your guiding hand on the back of the chair, and allow the person to slide their arm down to find it

In a row of seats, side step along the row until the person is in front of their seat with the backs of their knees touching it. They will then sit down

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Getting into a car

Say if the car is facing left or right

Open the car door and place your guiding hand on it – the person you’re guiding can slide their hand down your arm to hold the door

Then place your guiding hand on the top of the door frame – the person you’re guiding will slide their other hand down your arm and get into the car

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Leaving or finishing assistance

Always check with the person you’re guiding that they know where they are before you leave

Tell the person clearly that you will be leaving them now

Leave them in a safe place, away from danger

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These tips are best practice for sighted guides Always use these techniques as a starting point,

but be prepared to alter them depending on the particular requirements of the person you support

As long as you and the person you guide are safe, it is ok to vary these tips

Being person centred

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Safety tipsThings to consider:

The person may have a medical condition Try to avoid unfamiliar or unknown surroundings

that could cause either of you to feel uncomfortable, threatened or concerned

Be aware of other people coming into contact with either of you, causing a collision or being aggressive or violent

Make sure you’re aware of what to do in the event of a fire, incident or other emergency situations

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Safety tipsFurther things to consider:

Avoid lifting or restraining the person so you don’t get hurt

Look out for objects/people to avoid tripping or slipping

Think about the weather conditions e.g. ice, snow, extreme heat, and how this could affect your journey

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Tips for other situations

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A guide dog owner will show they need help by laying the handle of the harness on the dog’s back

Approach from the opposite side to the dog

Talk to the person, not the dog Never take the lead or

harness handle Guide the person as you would

anyone else

How to guide a person with a guide dog

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Use your guiding hand on the handle of the door to the toilet

The person you are guiding will slide their hand down your arm to find the door handle

Agree with the person whether you will wait for them outside or if you are leaving

Toilets

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Tell the person you are guiding how high any steps are and if there is a gap between the train and the platform

Guide the person as you step on or off, walking in front

Walk down aisles in single file

Getting on or off a bus or train

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To achieve a Level 1 certificate with distinction or tomove on to Level 2 you will need to completeassessed observed practice:

One hour’s sighted guiding with two different blind or partially sighted people

Thirty minutes with each person, one will feed back as part of your assessment

During the hour you will be assessed for thirty minutes by your trainer

Well done

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My Guide volunteer Complete Levels 1 and

2 learning, assessment and practice

Provide a My Guide service for an agreed period to enhance the service user’s independence, through getting out and about

My Guide Practitioner Complete Levels 1, 2

and 3 learning, assessment and practice

Provide training and support to Community Sighted Guides and My Guide volunteers

Next steps – other modules and roles

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If you are progressing to Level 2, make sure you inform the trainer

You can view the techniques video and find more information on sighted guiding on our website or take a free DVD or leaflet www.guidedogs.org.uk/myguide

Don’t forget your handouts Thank you for coming!

Before you go...