How can you communicate effectively with a resident who is visually impaired?
Ophthalmic Resource Coordinator, Nurse Advisor, International Resource Centre, International Centre For Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT Show
Find articles by Sue Stevens Author information Copyright and License information Disclaimer Sue Stevens, Ophthalmic Resource Coordinator, Nurse Advisor, International Resource Centre, International Centre For Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT; Copyright © 2003 Journal of Community Eye Health International Centre for Eye Health, London IntroductionAs eye health workers, we give much attention to learning and teaching the importance of health education and the prevention and treatment of eye disease. Despite our gained knowledge, sadly, our efforts are not always successful and we are presented with the responsibility and challenge of caring for people who have to cope with visual impairment, perhaps for the rest of their lives. We have to understand their difficulties, recognise their abilities and learn how to cooperate and communicate with them in a social as well as hospital environment. It is often within the eye hospital itself that the lack in education of health workers and their understanding of the assistance needs of blind and visually impaired patients is all too evident. Visually impaired and blind people come from all kinds of backgrounds. Many are elderly, some are young. They may be sportsmen and women, gardeners, farmers, chess players, teachers, typists, musicians, lawyers, housewives, computer programmers, physiotherapists, social workers, telephonists, parents…… Such people have many abilities and can achieve many things despite visual impairment or blindness, but there are times when they will appreciate and welcome practical assistance. Meeting and Greeting (Fig. (Fig.11)Open in a separate window Fig. 1 There are some general points to remember, which are really common sense and a matter of courtesy:
Approach and Attitude
Guiding (Fig. (Fig.22)Open in a separate window Fig. 2
Walking in Single File or in Narrow Spaces (e.g., in shops, offices and busy crowded areas) (Fig. (Fig.33)Open in a separate window Fig. 3
Doorways (Fig. (Fig.44)Open in a separate window Fig. 4
Steps, Stairs and Slopes (Fig. (Fig.55)Open in a separate window Fig. 5
Kerbs and Roads (Fig. (Fig.66)Open in a separate window Fig. 6
Seating (Fig. (Fig.77)Open in a separate window Fig. 7
Travelling (Fig. (Fig.88)Open in a separate window Fig. 8
In the Eye Hospital
Eye health workers have a responsibility, and an important position, for teaching others about assistance to the visually impaired. But we must be seen to be practising what we teach. A community-based rehabilitation project in Uganda, some years ago, used a very appropriate and challenging means of raising awareness. They provided T shirts for the project team members with illustrations and slogans which read, ‘Don't pull me’ (front – see Fig. Fig.9)9) and ‘Walk with me’ (back – see Fig. Fig.10).10). Can you think of similar activities, perhaps? Open in a separate window Fig. 9 ‘Don't pull me!’ Open in a separate window Fig. 10 ‘Walk with me!’ Acknowledgements
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