Final answer:
To assist customers with vision disabilities, offer your arm when walking, give precise information, keep voice at a normal volume unless indicated otherwise, and ensure everyone is introduced and included in the conversation. Additionally, presentations should be made accessible with clear, concise media and verbal descriptions of visual elements.
Step-by-step explanation:
To effectively help customers with vision disabilities, one should adopt strategies that are respectful, practical, and enhance accessibility. Here are appropriately adapted strategies:
- When walking with someone who is blind, it is considerate to offer your arm rather than leading or pulling them. This allows the person to control their movement and feel safer.
- Keep communication clear and specific. Providing vague information and directions is not helpful, as precise and concise instructions can greatly assist individuals who cannot rely on visual cues.
- Avoid shouting or raising your voice with visually impaired customers unless they have indicated they also have a hearing impairment. Loudness does not increase understanding and can be seen as disrespectful.
- It is important to introduce or reference everyone in the room. Doing so helps create a mental map and eliminates confusion, promoting inclusion and making the individual feel a part of the conversation.
Accessibility considerations should also extend beyond interpersonal interactions to include presentation materials and environments. Ensuring that your presentation is accessible to people who are visually impaired involves creating or obtaining media that is clear, concise, and of high quality, and making sure that any visual elements, such as infographics, are complemented with verbal descriptions for those who cannot see them. Apply recommendations from resources like the DisABILITY Resources Toolbox (DART) to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment.