Evacuating visually impaired people safely: 7 tips
Seven points to consider in an emergency when blind or visually impaired people are at risk.
Next Saturday, the SBB will carry out a large-scale rescue operation in the Gotthard Base Tunnel. Passengers with a disability will also be involved. But what do helpers have to watch out for in an emergency if a visually impaired person is involved or even endangered? How do they guide a blind person out of the danger zone? The Swiss Federation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (SBC) has published a guide to help. It contains a total of seven pieces of advice for the rescue personnel of the fire department, the ambulance service and other professionals in the industry.
On the one hand, the advice concerns communication - for example, that this must function verbally and not via gestures, and that backgrounds must be explained briefly. The second area concerns orientation: describing the way often does not make much sense, the blind or visually impaired person should be offered the arm or shoulder. It is also important here that the necessary aids such as a blind person's long cane remain in the person's possession and that the guide dog is not left behind.
All seven references can be found on the SBC website Download.
The SBC is the national self-help organization on the subject of visual impairment. Since 1911, the association has supported blind and visually impaired people in their efforts to lead independent and successful lives at work and in society. The SBC achieves its goal with counseling, training, and by promoting innovative technologies as well as educating and raising public awareness.
