126 b e c o m i n g p a r t o f t h e c o m m u n i t y
How community members can help
Community members can learn that a child who cannot see well is just
as active as other children. But she also needs special help getting to
know people and finding her way about. People may feel uncomfortable
with your child until you explain how to act.
To help community members interact
with your child
Encourage them to speak to your
child whenever they see her. Ask
them to introduce themselves and
to call your child by name, so she
knows they are talking to her.
Explain that they should speak
directly to her, rather than asking
other people about her.
Marta, it’s
Maria and
Rafael. How
nice to see
you.
Where
are you
going,
Marta?
Encourage people to help
your child find what she
is looking for. Community
members can learn to give
directions (see pages 111 to
113) that will help her find
things on her own.
Which
way is the
market?
Encourage people to answer
your child’s questions and
to explain things to her. As
members of the community
get to know your child, they
will begin to realize that she
can do more than they would
ever have thought possible!
What’s that
smell?
Go straight ahead
until the path
gets rocky. Then
take a quarter
turn to the left.
I’m frying cakes,
Suma. They’re in
a pan next to you.
Can you hear them
cooking?
helping children who are blind