Principles of Successful Interaction with the Public

As a deaf-blind person you should:

1. Always assume that others don't understand the situation and don't know what to do, and explain it to them (repeatedly, if needed!).

Many will not understand the first time it is explained because they are:

· dumfounded,

· weren't paying attention,

· incredulous

2. Always have back-up plan or alternative ways to communicate / get attention.

This is because no strategy for communication or getting attention always works every time for everyone – sometimes it doesn’t succeed. When it doesn’t succeed, you need to try something else (a “back-up” plan).

3. Know your needs and how to advocate for them

Before asking for help, figure out

1) what you need;

2) exactly how you want the others to help; and

3) how you can get others' attention and explain your needs / communicate with them

(For an example of a card developed with these principles, see Effective use of cards for soliciting assistance to cross streets)

4. Always explain:

FIRST: what you want;

SECOND: what they can do to help

THIRD: your visual/hearing impairment

5. Know your rights and how to assert them:

· Only you know what is best for you. Do not assume that others understand and know what is best for you.

· You know when you need help and what kind of help is best.

· If people offer you help that you are not sure you need, you can ask for more information (why do they want to help you? Is there a danger or problem of which you were unaware?) With this information YOU decide if you need their help or not.

· If people insist on helping when you do not need it:

a. Act confident when refusing the help

b. "Release" them from the obligation they feel about helping by explaining that you are fine and don't need help. Avoid long explanations. If you explain what you're doing, or how you travel, they will usually continue to feel that they should help you.

c. If all else fails, just move away from them and continue on your way. You are not obligated to convince them that you do not need assistance, nor are you required to accept their help even if they think that you need it.

d. If this is a recurring problem, prepare a professional-looking card that explains that you can travel independently.

· If you choose to be guided, assume control by taking the person's arm, don’t let them take your arm (see illustration of the Hines Break to take the guide’s arm).

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