Ways to Help

• When you approach someone who is both deaf and blind, communicate by a simple touch on the hand that you are near. Work out a simple signal for identifying yourself.
• Learn and use whatever method of communication the person knows. Most people who are deaf and blind can communicate with simple capital block letters written with your finger in the palms of their hands. Pause after each word and longer after each sentence. Also, people who know sign language can touch your hands while you sign.
• Keep the individual informed of where he or she is. Keep sufficiently close so that by physical contact he or she will know you are there. See that the person is comfortable and safely situated. If the person is not sitting, he or she will need something substantial to touch in your absence. When you leave, even if it is for a brief period, inform the person and place his or her hands on something. Never leave a person who is deaf and blind in unfamiliar surroundings.
• Let the person take your arm when walking. Never push him or her ahead of you.