Important Guidelines for Interacting with a Blind Child

A child who loses one of their senses feels that they are less than others, or may lose some of their desire for life. Here, the primary responsibility falls on the mother so that this blind son can live his life like his typical peers.

Steps to make interacting with a blind child easier:-

1- A blind person is like anyone else, so they should be treated like anyone else, naturally and without affectation, because showing excessive sympathy and pity—especially the word "poor thing"—makes them feel as if they are truly helpless.

2- When you encounter a blind child, you must greet them and shake their hand instead of the smile you put on your lips to greet them.

3- When you speak to a blind child, let them know you are addressing them. They cannot see your eyes to know that you are speaking to them. Therefore, call them by their name so they know the conversation is directed at them, especially when in a group. You should also turn and look in their direction; even if they cannot see you, they sense and perceive whether you are speaking to them through the direction of your voice.

4- Do not raise your voice when speaking to a blind child, because raising your voice hurts them and leads to annoying them.

5- Do not feel embarrassed to use vocabulary related to seeing, such as (look, did you see, from your point of view); these words do not embarrass them, and they use them in their speech, even if they cannot see. And do not avoid using them, because doing so will embarrass them..

6- Do not feel embarrassed to talk about blindness and their disability; this does not bother them because they are used to it, but you should adopt the appropriate approach..

7- When entering your blind child's presence, let them feel your presence by making some sounds, and do not rely on them knowing you are there, for they do not see you when you enter their room.

8- If you have finished your conversation and want to leave the room, you must let them know, as they cannot see you when you leave. It is embarrassing for them to speak to you thinking you are still in the room, only to discover afterward that they are talking to themselves.

9- Do not overwhelm them with assistance, especially in cases where they can do the task alone, because by doing so you turn them into a person unable to perform the simplest actions. Over time, they will never be able to rely on themselves and will become completely dependent on others.

10- If your blind child performs a simple task independently, do not look at them with astonishment as if their action were a miracle, and do not say to them: Did you do that all by yourself without help?

11- If you want to direct your blind child to something, do not tell them: "There", but rather be precise in your explanation and say: (( To your right, two feet away )).

12- When you are in a place with your blind child, explain to them what is around them.

13 - Do not leave doors half open, as this exposes your blind child to the danger of collision.

14- If necessary and the room furniture is changed or any piece is moved from the place the blind child is accustomed to, you must inform them of this change to avoid any unexpected collisions.

References:-

Al-Hadidi, Muna Subhi (2013), Introduction to Visual Impairment, Dar Al-Fikr for Publishing and Distribution.

Shakkour, Jalil Wadi' (1995), Disabled but Great, Arab Scientific Publishers.

Al-Ezzah, Saeed Hosni (2000), Saeed Hosni, Visual Impairment, Dar Al-Thaqafa for Publishing and Distribution.

Originally published in Arabic. This English version was produced with AI-assisted translation; the Arabic original remains the reference.