Faculty Calibration: Special Needs Client Management DH 112

Assisting Visually Impaired Client

Step 1: Approach
Learner makes their presence known.
Identifies him/herself when starting a conversation and address client
by using their name.
Step 2: Ask
Calmly and politely asks client if they would
like assistance into the operatory.

Step 3: Assist by Guiding

Clients non-dominant hand should be placed
under the elbow of the learner, client should
be asked to stand next to, but slightly behind
learner.
Provides specific directions guiding the client
(i.e. Take three steps forward, then turn
right).
Step 4: Doorway
Important they take this step slowly.
Tells client whether door opens towards or
away from them.
Goes through door with client on the hinge
side.
Opens door with guiding arm; client should
place his/her hand against the door to feel
the handle.
Client should then follow through.
Step 5: Seating
When arriving to treatment area, client
should be told the location of objects in the
room.
Allow client to feel the location and direction
of the chair by placing clients hands onto the
chair while giving verbal instuctions.

Additional Resources:
1. Darby M, Walsh M. Dental hygiene theory and practice. Fourth ed. Missouri: Saunders
Elsevier; 2015
2. Stevens, Sue. "Assisting the Blind and Visually Impaired: Guidelines for Eye Health
Workers and Other Helpers." Community Eye Health. International Centre for Eye
Health, 2003. Web. 08 May 2015.
3. "Tips for Assisting People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision." Vision Australia: Blindness
and Low Vision Services. N.p., 2012. Web. 7 May 2015