How do I assist a person with limitations related to vision?
What to Know | What to Say  |  What to Do  | Resources

Don’t Panic for Staff Blindness/Visual Impairments
What to Know:

1. Persons who are blind or visually impaired may require initial guidance to safely and efficiently move around your facility.  "Sighted" or “Human” guide is the correct and polite technique for accommodation.  Learn this technique.
   
   
2. Accommodations for individuals with visual impairments may include Large Print or electronic documents instead of print especially for primary forms (such as your intake packet). Find out where these are. Consumers may also magnify print materials on a tabletop device called a "video magnifier" (CCTV).  In addition, most sites have at least one adapted computer with "screen magnification (i.e. ZoomText)" or "speech output" (JAWS) software to give users access to the computer.
   
   
3. Once the individual’s mobility needs and alternative format needs have been determined, simply serve the needs of the consumer reflecting the Mission, Vision, Goals, Values and Principles of DES   About DES

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Don’t Panic for Staff Blindness/Visual Impairments
What to Say:

1. "Welcome to __(your site)__.  My name is __(your name)__.  How may I help you?"
   
   
2. We have many print resources in this center and many of our materials are also available on our internet/intranet.  Do you have a preferred alternative format for print documents?
   
   
3. Many of our resources are computer based and we have an ADA workstation.  Do you use products like ZoomText or JAWS? Do you need to sign out our headset or do you have your own?
   
   
4. Would you like a copy of our Accommodation Request card?
   
   
5. Would you like sighted guide to the waiting area or resource room while I locate program staff?

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Don’t Panic for Staff Blindness/Visual Impairments
What to Do:
Find the "Accommodations Request Card" Review techniques for providing Sighted / Human Guide and locate your Alternative Format intake packet, if any. Each Arizona One-Stop and RSA location has a page on this site that lists "On-Site" Assistive Technology and other Information. Find Your Location for Details

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Related Resources:

1. Accommodation Request Card
2. Information about Sighted / Human Guide
3. How to Create Large Print Documents
4. Where to Buy Transcription Services
5. Link to find your page: AZ One-Stops/Resource Rooms