Seven minute lesson : acting as a sighted guide. (1978)

summer savings Hana a lot more big separation between the city and the suburbs this morning 58 degrees in bud lake while 71 at wcbs sunburn index 7 on a scale of 0 to 10 we expected to feel the bright sunshine and fair weather clouds today comfortably warm and dry the high 78 to 82 air quality will be good in the marine forecast West to northwest winds 5 to 10 miles an hour with local sea breezes developing this afternoon visibility better than 10 miles tonight tomorrow his name is Carl he's a lawyer and he's been blind since he was 7 traveling with the long teen he gets around independently getting to work each morning without assistance but today is Saturday and he's on his way to meet a friend who's agreed to help them shop for clothes you see as independent as Carl may be like anyone else he doesn't mind a little company especially shopping okay today Sue and Karl have been friends since college so they're used to traveling together notice how she let's call take her arm holding it just above the elbow that way Karl can follow the motion of her body and since when she makes a turn or comes to a sudden stop unfortunately a lot of well-meaning people try to take the blind person by the arm it may seem only natural but it just isn't right remember let the blind person take your arm also notice how sue walks about a half step ahead of Karl all the time being careful to let him know what's ahead their first stop suit turns slowly but naturally towards the door here she gives Karl and important verbal cue after that it's as simple as walking through a doorway once inside a store or any place unfamiliar to the blind person it's always good to explain a little about the place how's the store set up what are the aisles like are they wide or narrow are there stairs or is it all on one level that way the blind person can begin to form a mental impression of his surroundings thank you she tells Carl that they're approaching a flight of stairs and whether they're going up or down like anyone else he may or may not choose to use the railing as they reached the top sue pauses to let Carl know okay walking down a narrow aisle or passageway calls for a slightly different method here su moves her arm behind her and towards the small of her back and Carl extends his arm moving directly behind her once they're through su returns our arm to the normal position of course it helps if your sighted guide knows where he or she is going let's turn around okay and try again to reverse direction they turn toward each other call maintaining contact throughout once again they're on their way finally the men's department okay there's something right here which might to help you yeah thank you I'm looking for a size 40 regular jacket all right follow me okay but now comes the hard part finding a jacket they both like outside Carl realizes that he'd feel more comfortable walking on the other side okay they pause and call trails his arm across Sue's back always maintaining contact let's go time for some coffee and time for one more guide technique 20 feet great as they approach the table sue gives Carl two important cues okay thank you she tells him the position of the chair and places his free hand on the back of the chair that done they can both sit down do you want me to read a menu I smell some apple pie you see if you're acting as a sighted guide and you're not quite sure of what to do ask because sometimes even a sighted guide needs a little help