Current government guidelines allows people with sight loss to be supported by:
- Friends or family in the same household or support bubble.
- Friends or family that don’t live in the same household or support bubble.
- Volunteers or staff from organisations such as GPs, hospitals or similar settings.
This support includes sighted guiding.
Sighted guiding provides support for someone whose sight is not sufficient to safely negotiate an unfamiliar environment. Ordinarily the person being guided keeps light contact with a guider’s elbow while standing alongside or slightly behind the guider, either to the left or right depending on personal preference. Whilst moving, the guider will also talk to the person being guided to provide additional information about any immediate hazards.
The organisation providing the support should:
- Follow guidance for working safely during coronavirus to minimise risks for staff and visitors.
- Provide any necessary training and equipment to their staff.
- Check the person being supported hasn’t got coronavirus symptoms and hasn’t been advised to stay at home or quarantine themselves, before providing support.
- Maintain records of the people who have been supported by staff for 21 days after the support was given and be prepared to provide this information to NHS Test and Trace, if needed.
People needing sighted guiding support should:
- Where possible, book support in advance.
- Set out what support they need.
- Be prepared to give their name and contact details.
- If contacted by NHS Test and Trace, follow their advice.
Current guidelines on sighted guiding vary slightly depending on the specific public health advice in each country: