Visually impaired people should be treated with the same respect and courtesy as any other person. In essence, they are no different than you and me, they merely have little or no sight. Do not regard them as sub- or superhuman, and do not pity, patronise or sympathise with them.

Keep the following key points in mind when dealing with a visually impaired person:

• Make your presence known and identify yourself. Do not assume that the person will recognise your voice
• Address the person by name when asking a question, otherwise they might assume that you are talking to someone else
• Keep your tone and volume of your voice level. There is no need to shout unless they have difficulty hearing
• Speak to the person directly - they don't need to be addressed via a third party
• When moving away from a visually impaired person, warn them that you are doing so. They won't know unless you tell them.