Community Sighted Guide training My Guide service sighted guide training programme Sighted guiding is a recognised technique used as a way of helping blind or partially sighted people get around safely.

My Guide service sighted guide training Developed in partnership 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.

Course objectives 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

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

What is a Community Sighted Guide? Trained to act as eyes/vision with confidence In public as part of normal daily life ‘A sighted person giving appropriate assistance to a blind or partially sighted person to help them negotiate the environment safely, whilst maintaining dignity and promoting independence’.

Guidelines to help the course run smoothly 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

True or false? Exercise

Barriers to independence 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

Emotional consequences of sight loss 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

Personal stories

Exercise 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

How did it feel? 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

Tips for sighted guides How to guide a blind or partially sighted person

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Being person centred 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

Safety tips Things 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

Safety tips Further 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

Tips for other situations

How to guide a person with a guide dog 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

Toilets 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

Getting on or off a bus or train 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

Well done To achieve a Level 1 certificate with distinction or to move on to Level 2 you will need to complete assessed 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

Next steps – other modules and roles 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

Before you go... 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!