Social Graces


a. Handshake Procedure

  • Teaching students to initiate handshakes by holding out their hand for it to be met by the sighted individual is a great way to approach handshakes.

  • The teaching really takes place when it comes to a sighted individual initiating a handshake with a blind individual and what is the best and most appropriate way of doing so. For example, verbally stating "Let me shake your hand!" to prompt that individual to reach out for a handshake.

b. Making Eye Contact

  • Social skills include making eye contact during conversation. Teaching students to look in the direction of the person that is talking is an important skill to discuss when on the topic of social skills.

c. Locating Seating

  • Seating is best accessed with the support of a guide who will guide hands to the back of a seat for the individual to then take their seat.

  • When locating seating without a guide, it is going to be important to be able to request specific assistance from someone who might be willing to help.

d. Drinking from a Drinking Fountain

  • Drinking water from a drinking fountain will rely on tactual skills to locate the mechanism to turn the water on and then the individual will rely on their hearing skills to listen and locate the water to retrieve a drink.

e. Self-Advocacy/Understanding Eye Condition

  • Self-advocacy and the ability to understand and explain one's own eye condition is a VERY important skill going forward to ensure that an individual can advocate for their needs. A child should begin working on these skills the second they arrive on your caseload in ways such as by determining and demonstrating preferences, making choices, and requesting assistance.

  • Incorporate/encourage students to self-advocate and engage friends in using guide techniques, using positional language, and how to physically demonstrate gestures and facial expressions.

f. Soliciting Assistance

  • The ability to speak up and speak out in a socially appropriate manner is a skill that individuals should begin working on very early on to ensure that they can seek out help or assistance for safety and independence in the future.

  • Incorporate/encourage students to solicit assistance from friends by teaching their friends guide techniques, how to use positional language, etc.

g. Recording Technology for Taking Notes

  • There is a variety of technologies available for note-taking purposes to include the simplest, the iPhone and its recording app. Other technologies include an electronic braille note-taker, a computer with a magnifier or a visiobook, or various other generic recording devices.

h. Teaching Suggestions/Observations

  • Embed instruction into daily routines to provide short, frequent, low stress exposure.

  • Role Playing

  • Engaging peers