Walking, Mariahilfer Straße, Rainbow

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Blindness & Low Vision

Visual disabilities vary widely,  from restricted field of vision or age-related vision loss to complete blindness. Not every visual disability is immediately apparent. For affected guests, visual information is often only partially accessible and needs to be supplemented by clear verbal guidance or other ways to support orientation.

Practical Tips

Actively offer assistanceIf a guest appears to have a visual disability, a friendly approach and an offer of assistance can make orientation much easier.
Give clear and specific directionsDescribe directions as concretely as possible,   using distances or positions ("two steps ahead of you", "to the right of the door"). Avoid relying solely on visual references.
OfferNever touch or guide a person without asking first. Instead, offer your elbow so the person can take it independently. This preserves their sense of orientation and makes it easier to perceive movements such as steps or changes in direction.
guidance correctly
Allow time for assistive technologyUsing assistive technology, such as screen readers or smartphones, may take additional time. A calm pace and patience make the situation easier for everyone involved.