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Community SightedGuide training
Sighted guiding is a recognised technique used asa way of helping blind or partially sighted peopleget around safely.
My Guide service sighted guide training programme
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My Guide service sighted guide training
The My Guide training programme has been developed by Guide Dogs, in collaboration with its partners. However, the delivery of the training is the responsibility of the trainer or organisation providing the training.
Developed in partnership
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To understand and be aware of the benefits of sighted guiding
To learn how to give safe community sighted guiding and develop practical skills
To learn about sight loss and understand the emotional and practical consequences and barriers to independence
Course objectives
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Introduction and welcome Awareness of visual impairment Exercise Feedback Sighted guide techniques Practice Feedback Next steps Close
Programme
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Trained to act as eyes/vision with confidence In public as part of normal daily life
‘A sighted person giving appropriate assistance to ablind or partially sighted person to help themnegotiate the environment safely, whilst maintainingdignity and promoting independence’.
What is a Community Sighted Guide?
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Mobile phones off or on silent please We all agree for only one person to speak at a
time Relax! Say what you think Be respectful at all times
Guidelines to help the course run smoothly
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Exercise
True or false?
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Can’t drive How would I do my job? Going to new places Unable to apply make-up How would I look after my children? How would I feel about cooking? People are anxious about approaching me I used to be chatty but lack of eye contact changes that How would I use the internet? Change in job situation may mean I have less money
Barriers to independence
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Isolation Depression Feeling cut off from friends and family Low confidence Low self-esteem Poor self-image Loneliness Changed relationships if family are also carers The world becomes smaller Higher levels of anxiety
Emotional consequencesof sight loss
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Personal stories
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Important!
We do not want you to feel scared or worried You do not have to pretend to completely
understand being visually impaired If at any point you feel too uncomfortable to
continue, please tell your partner and stop
Exercise
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We can use our experience to Make us better guides Understand what’s most important
when being guided Practice in a safe, friendly environment Feel what it’s like to be guided well
How did it feel?
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How to guide a blind or partially sighted person
Tips for sighted guides
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Approaching someone and setting off
Introduce yourself and offer help Ask where the person wants
to go Stand by their side and let them
hold your arm above the elbow You start walking and they will
follow about half a step behind If they have a guide dog,
approach from the opposite side
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In a narrow space or busy area
Walk in single file Straighten your arm and
move it to the middle of your back
The person will step in behind you
Slow your pace a little
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Crossing a road
Say if the kerb is a step up or step down
Pause before you take the step so that the person can get ready
Describe to the person where they are
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Going up or down stairs or steps
Say if the steps go up or down The person’s free hand should be on the
side of the handrail Going up – pause for the person to
find the bottom step then move off. They will follow one step below you
Going down – let them find the handrail and first step down before moving off. They will follow one step behind
Say when you have reached the top or the bottom and pause
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Getting through doorways
Say whether the door opens towards or away from you and to the left or the right
Open the door with your guiding arm
As you walk through, the person you’re guiding should hold it open before following you through
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Taking a seat
Describe the type of seat, whether it has arms, and if there’s a table in front
Put your guiding hand on the back of the chair, and allow the person to slide their arm down to find it
In a row of seats, side step along the row until the person is in front of their seat with the backs of their knees touching it. They will then sit down
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Getting into a car
Say if the car is facing left or right
Open the car door and place your guiding hand on it – the person you’re guiding can slide their hand down your arm to hold the door
Then place your guiding hand on the top of the door frame – the person you’re guiding will slide their other hand down your arm and get into the car
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Leaving or finishing assistance
Always check with the person you’re guiding that they know where they are before you leave
Tell the person clearly that you will be leaving them now
Leave them in a safe place, away from danger
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These tips are best practice for sighted guides Always use these techniques as a starting point,
but be prepared to alter them depending on the particular requirements of the person you support
As long as you and the person you guide are safe, it is ok to vary these tips
Being person centred
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Safety tipsThings to consider:
The person may have a medical condition Try to avoid unfamiliar or unknown surroundings
that could cause either of you to feel uncomfortable, threatened or concerned
Be aware of other people coming into contact with either of you, causing a collision or being aggressive or violent
Make sure you’re aware of what to do in the event of a fire, incident or other emergency situations
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Safety tipsFurther things to consider:
Avoid lifting or restraining the person so you don’t get hurt
Look out for objects/people to avoid tripping or slipping
Think about the weather conditions e.g. ice, snow, extreme heat, and how this could affect your journey
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Tips for other situations
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A guide dog owner will show they need help by laying the handle of the harness on the dog’s back
Approach from the opposite side to the dog
Talk to the person, not the dog Never take the lead or
harness handle Guide the person as you would
anyone else
How to guide a person with a guide dog
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Use your guiding hand on the handle of the door to the toilet
The person you are guiding will slide their hand down your arm to find the door handle
Agree with the person whether you will wait for them outside or if you are leaving
Toilets
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Tell the person you are guiding how high any steps are and if there is a gap between the train and the platform
Guide the person as you step on or off, walking in front
Walk down aisles in single file
Getting on or off a bus or train
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To achieve a Level 1 certificate with distinction or tomove on to Level 2 you will need to completeassessed observed practice:
One hour’s sighted guiding with two different blind or partially sighted people
Thirty minutes with each person, one will feed back as part of your assessment
During the hour you will be assessed for thirty minutes by your trainer
Well done
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My Guide volunteer Complete Levels 1 and
2 learning, assessment and practice
Provide a My Guide service for an agreed period to enhance the service user’s independence, through getting out and about
My Guide Practitioner Complete Levels 1, 2
and 3 learning, assessment and practice
Provide training and support to Community Sighted Guides and My Guide volunteers
Next steps – other modules and roles
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If you are progressing to Level 2, make sure you inform the trainer
You can view the techniques video and find more information on sighted guiding on our website or take a free DVD or leaflet www.guidedogs.org.uk/myguide
Don’t forget your handouts Thank you for coming!
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