Guiding Part II: Basic Techniques Chapter 4.1.5

Overview This power point will show the basic techniques for guiding including: How it works Various positions Transitions from one position to another Crossing streets Manners

HOW IT WORKS

Body Cues The SSP-Guide’s body provides information. The guide will move, pause, stop, resume. The guide will turn, twist, step up/down. These movements and changes can be felt by the DB person’s hand on the guide’s elbow or shoulder.

Proprioception Proprioception is the internal sense of our own body. We know where our own hand or foot is without looking. This is how ‘tracking’ works. (See the PPT on DB People and Communication.) In the next picture, the DB man knows where his own hand is. By placing his hand on the arm of the SSP he knows where their arm is, too.

Proprioception, cont.

Feeling the Movement The same principle applies in guiding. The DB person knows where their hand is, and by extension where the guide is moving. In the next slide, notice the subtle shift in the guide’s position from one picture to the next. Notice the DB woman’s response as shown by her body position and cane position.

THE CLASSIC POSITION

The Classic Position The classic guiding position is one in which the blind person holds the guide’s elbow. Among DB people there are several commonly used positions, all of which are suitable depending on the situation.

The Classic Position, cont. The two shown here are: Hand on elbow Hand on shoulder

Hearing and Balance Hard-of-hearing DB people typically have good balance while DB people who are profoundly deaf often have poor balance. Because the hard-of-hearing DB person will not typically be using her/his hands to listen, the ‘classic position’ described above is the most common.

Hearing and Balance, cont. Because of balance and using the hand to listen, a deaf DB person will more often shift between positions.

OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Other Sources of Information The following pictures illustrate how DB people use information: from their cane about the surface remaining vision/hearing, (light/shadow, noises, as well as more distinct images/sounds They also use smell, the movement of air, and touch.

The Cane The ‘long cane’ is another important source of information. On the next slide, the DB person uses her cane to locate the curb.

The Cane, cont.

DB person with Tunnel Vision The amount of vision each DB person has will vary. The amount of practice and skill they have using a long cane will also vary. A person with relatively good acuity may use the guide primarily to warn of changes in the terrain and to point out things of interest while using their vision and cane to navigate.

Vision, Cane and SSP The deaf-blind man in the next slide has tunnel vision. He uses his cane in his left hand and “checks” his guide with his right arm as they stroll along a smooth path in the park. She watches for things of interest to point out to him.

Close Vision In the next slide the DB woman (with the coffee) has blurry vision, but not tunnel vision. This blurry vision is called ‘close vision’ because she needs to be up close to see.

Close Vision She does not always use a cane but cannot see well enough to recognize other people at the picnic, or be well oriented to the general area. The SSP-Guide provides this information.

It Depends The same person may prefer to simply use their cane or their vision in a familiar place but prefer a guide when in an unfamiliar place, and in crowded and/or noisy conditions. Some DB people like to be as independent as possible, while others prefer to conserve energy for other things.

It Depends, cont. Take your cue from the DB person. Watch to be sure you will notice if they reach for an arm. Judgment takes experience and reflection.

Air and Light Wind/air currents, temperature, and light/shadow provide additional information as a team moves between a building, a parking garage, a vehicle, outdoors, a shopping mall, and so on.

HAND-ON-SHOULDER: ANOTHER COMMON POSITION AND TRANSITIONS

Hand-on-Shoulder Hand-on-shoulder is a common way DB people connect with the guide. In the next few slides, the DB person uses both her cane and the information she gets from SSP-Guide’s body cues. She is also aware of the direction of the sun and wind.

The SSP raises her hand to communicate and the DB woman responds.

Transition from the Shoulder to Talk

Looking for cars.

Crossing the Street In the next slides the SSP informs the DB man they are about to cross the street. They pause at the curb, look both ways (notice the SSP signing which direction he is looking), and then, seeing no cars (again notice the SSP signing) and then prepare to cross. As they cross, the SSP continues monitoring traffic.

Theme It may seem unnecessary to continuously be reporting what you see, which direction you are looking, and what you are doing but this is how the DB person keeps connected to the environment and what is happening. It prevents being surprised, and unprepared for what is coming next. Of course, it is work. That’s why being an SSP is a job.

Narrowing The same principle applies: The guide signals a narrowing space by pulling the elbow in closer, shifting sideways or moving her arm behind her back depending on the size of the space. On the right, in the next picture, the SSP-Guide shifts slightly sideways w/her arm slightly behind to indicate a narrowing at the end of the aisle.

Walk at a Comfortable Pace In an uncluttered space, for an: experienced, athletic, and confident DB person, this may be a brisk walk. While in a cluttered space, or for a: physically fragile, inexperienced or hesitant DB person, it will be slower.

Take Your Time When in doubt, communicate verbally: Stop and talk. Take time to get to know each other and be comfortable in your signals and communication.

Pauses If the DB person is new to using a guide, use a somewhat slower pace. Pauses allow time to gather information through the use of the cane, and remaining vision/hearing to interpret it. Pauses are therefore especially important for new environments and/or people new to using a guide.

GET EXPERIENCE

It’s Like Learning to Drive Guiding well takes practice and thought. Every experienced guide can tell of times they made a mistake: They were not paying attention, over-estimated the space available, forgot to watch above as well as on the ground, etc. It’s like driving. Your body will learn what to do, but you must practice and be thoughtful.

Practice Just as you learn to drive in an open space and gradually move into traffic, practicing guiding with another SSP using blindfolds and goggles is a great start. You will learn more from the experience and feedback than from reading or hearing a lecture.

Modeling By Instructor Information while walking through the store.

Student Practicing

Feedback from Instructor

Debrief Among New SSPs

MANNERS

Include the DB Person It is not uncommon for an SSP to see a friend or something of interest to the SSPs themselves. If you greet your friend, make sure the DB person is included, e.g. if you wave, do so with the hand you are using to communicate. If you stop to say “Hello”, keep it brief.

Focus While you are being an SSP, the focus is on the DB person. If it is appropriate to chat briefly with someone you meet, be sure to introduce the DB person and include them. Do not wave or make side comments to others in the group while the DB person is talking to you. It may seem efficient but it is rude.

Break If you are leaving for a few minutes to use the restroom, etc. make sure the DB person is in a comfortable place: Out of the way of foot traffic Not in the hot sun/cold draft, etc. It is often best if the DB person has a point of orientation, e.g. a chair, wall, table next to which they can wait.

Longer Break If you are taking a longer break (more than 10 minutes) agree how long you will be gone and respect the time. Be specific about where and when you will meet the next time.

Conclusion Practice walking in different spaces with one another as guides. Use blindfolds and goggles. Get a sense of what makes you feel comfortable and what startles or puzzles you. You will be surprised by what you learn. Much like riding a bicycle, it takes some multi-tasking but you will soon be doing it easily and smoothly.