A Guide to Interacting With Me

Introduction

In this guide, you will learn how to interact respectfully with blind individuals like myself. These tips apply to community interactions, online spaces, friendships, and even romantic relationships.

Before We Start

I understand that you may have never met a blind person before. Alternatively, you might have recently encountered me or another blind individual at a community event or gathering, but felt unsure of how to interact respectfully. From my personal perspective, I want to teach you the correct ways to interact with me and others who are blind or have low vision.

I am writing this guide to share my personal experiences meeting new people and to explain exactly how I feel in various social situations.

Disability Can Happen to Anyone (Don’t Take Able Bodiedness for Granted)

It is incredibly easy for people to take basic, able-bodied privileges for granted—like driving a car, reading a screen without assistive tech, or navigating a crowded room without thinking twice. But the reality is that disability can happen to anyone at any time, completely without warning, due to an accident, an unexpected illness, or aging. I don’t say this to scare anyone; I say it to build genuine empathy. When you interact with me or the broader disability community, remember that accessibility isn’t a niche accommodation for ‘other’ people—it is a fundamental human standard that protects all of us. Treating me with respect and setting up inclusive spaces today ensures a world that is ready to support anyone tomorrow.

Getting To Know Me for The First Time

Here are some useful tips for when we meet or get to know each other for the first time.

Introduce Yourself

When we approach each other at an event, social gathering, or rally, please do not hesitate to introduce yourself. For example, you can say:

“Hey! My name is [Name]! How are you doing today?”
“Hi! I’m [Name]! Are you enjoying the protest?”
“Hey! I’m [Name]! It’s nice to meet you!”

If my hand is extended, it means I would like to shake your hand. I shouldn’t have to reach all over your body to find your hand, nor should I have to ask if I can shake it. Furthermore, I shouldn’t always be the one who has to initiate an introduction, especially in crowded rooms or large groups. This initial meeting is the perfect opportunity to get to know me as a person, so please feel free to keep the conversation going.

Do Not Shout or Speak Loudly

When speaking to me, please do not shout. I can hear you perfectly normally, just like anyone else. The only exception is if we are in a loud crowd, in which case you can raise your voice accordingly.

Remember That My Only Difference Is My Vision

Being blind does not mean I have other medical conditions, such as hearing loss or speech impairments. Please do not assume I have multiple disabilities; treat me normally, just like everyone else.

Direct Your Questions to Me, Not the Person I Am With

If I am accompanied by someone, such as a friend at a community event, please do not speak to them to answer questions meant for me. Being blind does not mean I cannot hear you. I can hear your voice perfectly fine, and I am entirely capable of speaking up and joining the conversation to answer your questions directly.

Do Not Stop and Stare

Throughout my childhood and into my adult years, family members have often had to tell me that someone was staring at me. Staring is rude and unacceptable behavior. Instead of staring, simply walk up to me and start a normal conversation.

Do Not Assume I Lack Intelligence

I am highly skilled in technology, passionate about advocacy, and comfortably consider myself a bit of a nerd. In fact, I build websites, including the platform hosting this very guide. Please do not assume I am not smart. If I am unfamiliar with something, I will simply say, “I don’t know,” or ask, “Can you clarify/explain that to me?”

It is entirely disrespectful to grab me or any other blind person without consent. While I understand you may be trying to help by guiding me toward my destination, grabbing me is inappropriate. Instead, if you see a blind person traveling independently with a white cane, you may ask:

Instead, you may ask the following questions when encountering me or another blind person out in public with a white cane who’s traveling by themselves:

“Do you need assistance navigating to [Location]?”
“Hey, do you need help with [Task]?”

If I accept your assistance, I will typically use a technique called “sighted guide,” where I place my hand on your elbow. If I decline, it simply means I do not need help; please do not take it personally. While I appreciate you looking out for me—especially in unfamiliar areas—please never grab me without asking first.

READ: Please don’t grab a blind person in public without asking first (PSA)

Identify Yourself (Especially the First Few Times)

This is incredibly important to me. I may not recognize or remember your voice the first few times we interact. Once I become accustomed to the sound of your voice, I will remember it easily. However, I do occasionally forget, so please do not get upset or offended if I ask for your name. Simply identify yourself, and the memory of our previous meetings—whether in person or via online audio messages—will come right back to me.

Say Something Before You Walk Away

If you need to step away for a moment—such as getting a drink at a bar—please do not just disappear and leave me guessing where you went. Let me know beforehand by saying something like: “I’ll be right back. I’m going to grab some food and a drink.” You are also welcome to ask if I would like to join you , to which I will reply with a simple “Yes” or “No, thank you.” The same rule applies when you return; say “I’m back” so I know you have returned, and we can seamlessly pick up our conversation where we left off.

Do Not Be Afraid to Start a Conversation

Please do not hesitate to ask me questions. You can ask about my family, my passions, my future plans, and more. Some great conversation starters include:

What are your hobbies and interests?
What are your passionate about?
What is your favorite food?

Do Not Pet a Guide Dog

Although I do not use a guide dog myself, I know the etiquette. If you see a blind person with a service animal, it is highly offensive to pet, distract, or speak to the dog. Doing so dangerously distracts both the animal and its handler.

Do Not Pray Over Me to Heal or Restore My Sight

When getting to know me in public or at a church (especially if I am new to the congregation), please do not pray over me for a miracle to restore my sight. While I believe in the power of healing, miracles often manifest when people receive the correct medical treatments that restore their vision. Furthermore, if you are a pastor, please do not publicly pray over my blindness or over other people’s disabilities on a live stream.

As Psalm 139:14 (KJV)states:

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

If you truly take the time to get to know me, you will see me as someone endowed with unique gifts and talents from God. I highly recommend reading the book “My Body Is Not a Prayer Request | Disability Justice in the Church”to better understand this perspective.

Include Me in Group Conversations

Please do not talk around me, speak to someone else to get my attention, or speak on my behalf. I want to be actively included in conversations, especially when hanging out with a group of friends.

Describe the Environment and Surroundings

If we are in a new or unfamiliar place—like a bar, restaurant, or coffee shop—please describe the surroundings, including the layout, objects, and people. Additionally, if there is a stage performance happening, describe the visual actions to me. It can be incredibly frustrating to have to ask, “What’s going on?” a thousand times.

Give Advanced Notice on “Self-Service” Situations

If we attend a community event, rally, or party that features a self-service buffet, a condiments bar, or a beverage station, please let me know it’s there and offer to read the options. Navigating an open buffet line independently without knowing what food is where can be a massive barrier.

Announce Handouts and Physical Materials

If you are a facilitator or attendee at a community meeting or protest and you are passing out physical flyers, sign-up sheets, or informational packets, please explicitly say out loud what you are handing around. Let me know when it is being passed to me so I can accept it, and briefly mention if there is a digital version or QR code available.

Give a Heads-Up on Environmental Hazards

If we are walking together outdoors or through a venue, please proactively call out changes in the terrain before we reach them. Simple cues like “Approaching a curb dropping down in three steps,” “Moving from carpet to slick tile,” or “Watch out for a low-hanging tree branch on your right” keep me safe and confident.

Passing Objects to Me Directly

If you are handing me something—like a bottle of water, a document, or a pen to sign for my signature—please don’t just hold it out silently in the air or say, “Here.” Lightly touch the object to the back of my hand or my forearm, or say, “I’m handing you a glass of water, it’s right by your left hand.” This completely eliminates the awkward “searching the air” moment.

Describe the Spatial Layout of a Table

When we sit down at a table for a meeting or a meal, give me a quick 10-second auditory map of what’s in front of me. You can say, “You have a notepad directly in front of you, a bottle of water at your 2 o’clock, and the shared bowl of chips is right in the center of the table.”

Being A Good Friend

Be Considerate and Respectful

Reliability is paramount to me. For example, if you promise—whether via text or a phone call—to take me out for a car ride this upcoming weekend so I can vent, please keep that promise. It is deeply disappointing and upsetting when someone promises to take me out, only to cancel with bogus excuses or completely ghost my calls and text messages. If a pattern of excuses or ghosting happens more than once, I lose respect for that person until they prove they can keep their word.

I understand that family emergencies and unexpected situations arise. To accommodate busy schedules, I generally prefer to plan outings a few weeks in advance to ensure our time is protected. This allows us to work together as a team to lock in a specific day and time (morning, afternoon, evening, or late night).

On the other hand, if I am going through a personal crisis and desperately need a car ride to clear my head, I will let you know that I need to just ride around as soon as possible. Depending on your schedule, I am always happy to find a future day and time that works mutually for both of us. If an emergency pops up on the day you are supposed to pick me up, please just communicate with me. Do not leave me in the dark by failing to call or text. Ghosting has happened to me many times before, and it is incredibly hurtful.

You can learn more about my coping strategy of going on car rides by reading its own guide by clicking the below link. It will also have a link to return to this article.

Read: My coping strategies: Going on car rides

Invite Me to Events and Outings, Even “Mundane” Ones

If you are hanging out by yourself or going out with friends, please invite me along. It could be a concert, a night at a bar listening to live music, or whatever else you have planned. Do not assume I won’t be interested just because an activity seems mundane. All you have to do is call or text to ask. For example, you can say:

“Hey Armando! I’m going to [Location] at [Time]. Would you like to come? I’d be happy to pick you up and drop you back home.”
“Hey Armando! [Event] is happening at [Location]. Would you like to come? I know you’ve been stuck in the house and I really want to help you get out. It’s totally up to you, but I can pick you up and drive you home afterward.”
“Hey Armando! I noticed you’ve been stressed lately due to [Reason]. Want to head out to [Event] this weekend? You don’t even have to participate in the activities; we can just talk, drive around the city, or go on a short road trip so you can vent.”

If I say, “No, thank you,” please do not take it personally. I may simply have other plans or important meetings to attend. Regardless of my answer, it always makes me feel deeply appreciated when someone takes the time and effort to personally reach out.

Do Not Hesitate to Check Up on Me

Please don’t hesitate to check in on me. Too often, I find myself being the first one to reach out when I am going through a stressful time and need to talk. A simple text message or phone call means the world:

“Hey Armando! How are you doing this Saturday night? Would you like to talk about what’s on your mind?”

Checking in gives us both a wonderful opportunity to share what’s on our minds and get to know each other better.

Do Not Hesitate to Offer Me a Ride

If we’re heading to the same destination or local event—like a legislative day at the Capitol—please consider offering me a ride. Coordinating all-day transportation can be incredibly frustrating and stressful for me. To keep it easy, you can reach out by phone or text with something like:

“Hey Armando! I know you want to go to the Capitol for the legislative day. Would you like a ride there and back?”
“Hey Armando! I’m going to church this upcoming Sunday. Would you like me to pick you up so we can ride together?”
“Hey Armando! I’m heading to [Location] later today. Would you like me to pick you up so you can come along?”

When organizing a community event, you can easily make your RSVP form more inclusive by adding these questions:

“Do you need transportation to and from the event?”
“Would you like someone to pick you up and take you home?”

Offering a ride saves me from the high costs of relying on rideshare services like Uber or Lyft. It ensures I feel genuinely included in the community rather than left out due to transportation barriers, and it gives us great quality time to chat and connect.

Always Communicate Openly and Transparently

Open communication is vital. For instance, if you are on your way to pick me up, please text or call to let me know. This allows me to be fully prepared and ready the moment you arrive, and saves me from having to text you to ask for updates. You can say:

“Hey Armando! I’m on my way to pick you up. I’ll be there in [Number] minutes/hours.”
“Hey Armando! Just letting you know I’m leaving my house now and heading your way. I should arrive in about [Number] minutes.”

Also, if you are driving me and a group of friends around, please ask me for my address directly rather than having your friends ask for it on your behalf. This happened to me once with members of my former church, a situation I detailed further in my car rides guide.

Be Dependable and Reliable

To build a strong friendship, show me that I can truly rely on you. Please do not make hollow promises like, “I’ll take you for a drive this weekend” or “I’ll pick you up today after work,” only to fail to follow through. Breaking your word causes me emotional distress and damages my respect for you. If you know I need transportation to an important across-town or out-of-city event (like traveling to Atlanta, Macon, or across the state), please offer to help so I can save on expensive rideshare fares.

Be Patient, Understanding, and Polite

It may occasionally take me longer to complete certain tasks, but feeling rushed is highly frustrating. Please extend the same patience, understanding, and common politeness to me that you would extend to anyone else.

Be There For Me In Times of Need

If I am having a bad day or navigating a tough situation, please show up for me. I will always do the exact same for you. Taking a car ride is one of my favorite ways to get things off my chest. If you can’t drive due to a lack of a license or a busy schedule, a phone call is a wonderful alternative. If you do have a license and enjoy driving, we can schedule a mutual time to cruise around so I can vent and clear my head.

Have Fun!

The absolute best rule of thumb is simply to have fun with me! If you are planning group activities, like playing Jackbox Games, count me in! I have thoroughly tested their trivia and fill-in-the-blank games, and they are roughly 99.99% accessible for screen-reader users. When we hang out, you’ll get to see my happy, humorous side shine through.

Phrases To Avoid Saying

Based on my personal experiences, here are a few common phrases that can make me and other individuals with disabilities feel alienated or disrespected.

“You’re An Inspiration”

I once received a text message calling me an inspiration simply for existing. Using this phrase toward disabled individuals is often offensive and ableist; it alienates us and reduces our identities solely to our disabilities. While I successfully handle daily tasks like cooking, I simply use alternative techniques—such as utilizing the Aira app to have a remote agent read oven buttons or cooking instructions.

“It’s over here / over there / right here.”

Vague descriptions provide absolutely no useful information to a blind person. Instead, please use clear, descriptive language:

“The men’s restroom is on the left at the end of the hallway.”
“We are approaching a few restaurants on your right.”
“The Dr. Pepper is directly in front of you at the 12 o’clock position.”
“The cookies are on your plate at the 2 o’clock position.”
“I am parked straight ahead, just a few steps from the front door.”

“Good Job”

This phrase can feel incredibly patronizing. It inadvertently implies that completing basic daily tasks—like walking to an airplane seat or tying my shoes—is a monumental achievement for a blind person. It makes me feel like a child being praised rather than an adult navigating daily life.

“Did you see that?” (Followed by awkward silence)

It’s totally fine to use visual words like “see” or “look”—I use them too! But if you catch yourself saying “Did you see that?” about a sudden visual event, don’t freeze up or apologize awkwardly. Just smoothly transition into describing what happened so I can enjoy the moment with you.

“Guess who it is!”

People sometimes walk up to a blind person, disguise their voice, or stay completely silent and say, “Guess who!” While people usually do this to be playful, it forces an awkward guessing game that can feel testing and frustrating rather than welcoming. Just say your name right away!

“You’re so brave.”

Similar to calling someone an “inspiration” just for existing, being told I am “brave” for doing normal things—like riding transit, traveling to a meeting, or going to a restaurant—feels patronizing. It implies that the default state of living with a disability is terrifying, rather than just a normal life navigated with alternative techniques.

“I’m so sorry for you.”

While empathy is appreciated, pity and sympathy are entirely the wrong approach. Please respect us the same way you respect anyone else, and recognize that we live fulfilling, normal lives.

More of these phrases can be found in one of the resources at the end of this article.

When We Are Dating

If our relationship transitions from a friendship into a romantic partnership, the baseline rules of respect remain the same, alongside a few deeper dynamics. This is where we see who is truly ready to step up and build a real connection.

Treat Me Separately from My Condition: Do not treat me differently just because I am blind, and never make derogatory jokes that could hurt my feelings.
Ask Questions Freely: If you are unsure about how I navigate something, don’t be shy—just ask me directly, and I will happily answer.
Be Patient: It may take me a little longer to process a complex question or complete a physical task. Your patience means everything.
Share Your Visual Style and Vibe: I love hearing about the visual details that define who you are. Tell me about the color of the dress or outfit you chose for our date night, how you styled your hair, or the specific perfume you’re wearing. Sharing these details helps me build a vivid, personal picture of our moments together.
Put Your Body Language Into Words: During deep, quiet conversations or emotional moments, so much communication happens through facial expressions that I cannot visually track. If you are smiling softly, tearing up, or nodding along with what I am saying, put it into words (e.g., “I’m nodding because I completely agree,” or “I’m smiling right now because you made me really happy”). It brings an incredible layer of intimacy and clarity to our communication.
Collaborate on Romantic, Accessible Environments: When we plan dates, let’s look for places that naturally enhance our time together. This means choosing spots with great acoustic environments where we can actually hear each other talk deeply, or places with unique sensory experiences—like a great park walking path, a live music venue, or a restaurant with an incredible menu. Treating date planning as a collaborative team effort makes our relationship so much stronger.
Learn About Blindness Independently: Taking the initiative to research blindness online or through books will better equip you to understand my day-to-day experiences and needs.
Discuss Accommodations Openly: Ask me directly how you can best support me. For example, you might ask: “What accommodations do you need to live life to the fullest?” This could include using tactile cooking gadgets or designating a separate shelf in the pantry so we don’t accidentally mix up our groceries.
Keep Shared Spaces Consistent: If we transition into spending a lot of time together or sharing a space, please keep a consistent layout for common items like keys, kitchen tools, or daily essentials. If you move furniture or change where something important lives, just give me a casual heads-up so I don’t have to search for it.
Establish Our Communication Styles: Discuss how we can best stay in touch when we are apart at work or school. While I heavily prefer phone calls or audio messages because I love hearing your voice, texting works perfectly fine if you are busy (just remember to avoid those lazy, one-word text walls!).
Be Honest and Detailed: Do not shield me from the world. Keep me informed about what is happening around us. If something is purely visual, take a moment to describe it to me with as much vivid detail as possible.
Prioritize Safety and Support: When we are out together, remain mindful of our surroundings to ensure we navigate spaces safely. Be loving, encouraging, and supportive during difficult times, and know that I will always return the favor.

When Meeting Online

When interacting in group chats, Zoom calls, or webinars, keep these virtual etiquette tips in mind.

Use Your Voice

I understand that some people are naturally shy or hesitant to send audio messages. However, I rely heavily on the tone of your voice to truly connect with you, especially when we are meeting online for the first time.

More information can be found by reading the below article:

Read: Why I prefer to hear your voice instead of texting all the time

Engage in Meaningful Conversation (Avoid Lazy, One-Word Texts)

When we are chatting—especially over text messages—please avoid using generic, short answers like “Good,” “Very good,” or “Nice.” These quick responses act as conversational dead-ends, place the entire burden of the dialogue on me, and make it incredibly tiring to keep the momentum going. I want to build a genuine connection with you, so instead of a one-word reply, please ask me something in return! A true back-and-forth gives us both a wonderful opportunity to share what’s on our minds and get to know each other as equals.

Always Describe the Photos You Send

This is a massive priority for me. Whether you are sharing pictures in a private message or a group server like Discord, please include a written description. This acts as vital image descriptions for individuals utilizing screen readers. After sending a photo, simply follow it up with a descriptive message like this:

This is a photo of me and a friend sitting at a dining table. The room has blue walls in the background. On the table, there are plates of pizza topped with cheese, pepperoni, sausage, and bacon with a stuffed crust. There are also cans of Dr. Pepper in the background.

It is incredibly isolating and frustrating when people dump undescribed images into group chats. Writing alt text is simple, quick, and there are countless easy guides online to help you master it.

Read out Crucial On-Screen Text

If you are sharing your screen during a virtual presentation, a webinar, or a casual hang-out to show a meme or a graphic, please read the text or describe the slide out loud. Don’t just say, “As you can see right here…” because it completely leaves me out of the presentation or the joke.

Describe the Action on Livestreams, Video Shares, and Live Election Coverage (No More Vague Explanations)

When you are sharing your screen, presenting a slideshow, broadcasting a live stream, or hosting live election and news coverage—especially to a large audience—please describe everything that is happening visually on the screen. Avoid using lazy, vague filler phrases like “as you can see right here,” “this county over here,” or “look at this graphic.” These phrases provide zero context and completely isolate anyone who cannot see the screen.

Take the extra few seconds to paint a clear verbal picture of what you are showcasing. For example, you can say:

“I am pulling up the county election map, which shows the northern precinct reporting 60% of votes for Candidate A and 40% for Candidate B.”
“The live results banner on the bottom of the screen shows that the local bond initiative is currently passing with a tight 51% margin.”
“The chart on screen shows a 10% increase in transit ridership this quarter.”

If there is a live broadcast, an interactive data map, or visual results updating during your stream or news coverage, describe them out loud. Everyone in your audience deserves equal access to community information and live democratic data.

Use Descriptive Filenames and Document Titles

When sharing files, PDFs, or spreadsheets in a group chat, Discord server, or email thread, please avoid generic names like Document123.pdf or Screenshot_456.png. Giving your files clear, descriptive names (like Community_Meeting_Agenda_May_2026.pdf) allows my screen reader to instantly tell me what the file is without me having to download and open it first.

State When You are Pasting Links in the Chat

During a live virtual meeting or webinar, if you drop a website link into the text chat, please announce it out loud (e.g., “I’m dropping the registration link into the Zoom chat now”). Depending on how a blind individual configures their settings, chat notifications can be incredibly disruptive. For me personally, I have to turn off my VoiceOver speech by double-tapping with three fingers so messages don’t constantly speak over the meeting’s presenters. Because of this, I won’t know a link has been sent unless you give a quick verbal cue so I can manually check for it.

Mute Your Microphone When Not Speaking

In group audio calls or virtual meetings, please mute your microphone if you have heavy background noise (like traffic, typing, or a television). I mainly use my iPhone to join calls, and my VoiceOver screen reader speaks over the same audio channel. Intense background noise from other participants can completely drown out my phone’s speech, making it impossible for me to hear what’s happening in the meeting.

Conclusion

I hope these tips offer valuable insight into my life and serve as a helpful roadmap for interacting with blind and low-vision individuals. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or feedback regarding this guide.

Thank you so much for reading!