How to Host a Blind or Visually-Impaired Guest

So, you're opening your home to a blind or visually impaired friend—whether for a quick coffee, a fun  party, or a cozy overnight stay. Here are some tips for making your visually-impaired guest feel right at home. 

General Hosting Tips

Regardless of the type of gathering (small hang-out, lively housewarming, sleepover, etc), there are a few things you can do to make your home more accommodating for a visually-impaired guest.

Before They Arrive: 

Clear Away Tripping Hazards: Cords, upturned rugs, piles of clothes or shoes , toys, etc. can all be tripping hazards (even for your guests with perfect eyesight). Clear away these tripping hazards before someone ends up subsidizing their dentist’s trip to Hawaii. 

Keep Doors Fully Open or Fully Closed: Doors that are partially ajar can be a tripping hazard. Either keep them fully open or fully closed, but don’t let them hang ajar at a 45 degree angle. 

Upon Their Arrival: 

Give A Tour:  Showing your visually-impaired guest around can be extremely helpful for building a mental map of your space. Don’t worry, you don’t need to call out every detail, just give your guest an idea of the floor plan they’re navigating. 

The Bathroom Briefing: Navigating a new bathroom can be an anxiety-inducing experience for a blind or visually-impaired person. When your guest needs to use the bathroom, offer to give them a quick tour. During the tour, make sure to call out the following:

• Where the toilet is and how to flush it

• Where the toilet paper is

• Where the sink, soap, and hand towel are

When giving a tour of the bathroom to a visually-impaired guest, make sure to point out the toilet, toilet paper, how to flush the toilet, the sink, the soap, and the hand towel.

Call Out Obstacles (The Hazard Report): You know where the peril lurks—call it out! Especially spots in the home with steps, or where they could hit their head (an outcropped shelf, a plant branch, etc). 

Pet & Child Alert: If you have a cat, a dog, or a small human who loves to dart around, give a heads-up about it so your guest is aware and moves with some extra caution. 

These pets are cute, but also tripping hazards.Make sure your guest knows about any pets you have.

Do Not  Move Their Stuff! If your guest places their cane, backpack, or coat in a specific spot, that spot is now sacred. Do not tidy it up or move it without asking. Moving these items makes it difficult for the blind person to find them again. It can also mess with their spatial orientation of the room. For example, if I, the blind person, know I left my shoes by the stairs, and then cannot find my shoes, then I might think I’m actually not by the stairs (when in reality, I am!) 

Tips for Gatherings and Parties

The following tips are specific to hosting a low-vision guest at a gathering or party in your home.

Call Out Who’s in the Room: When a sighted person enters a room, they’re usually able to scan and recognize who’s in it. Many visually-impaired people don’t have this luxury. It can be really helpful when the host details who’s at the party, so the low-vision person has the context they need to join the conversation. 

Share the Itinerary In Advance (If Possible): If you are hosting an activity-based gathering (game night, movie marathon, craft session), share the schedule or planned games in advance. This gives your visually-impaired friend the chance to prepare their own accommodations in advance. For example, letting your low-vision friend know that you plan to play poker at your upcoming game night could give your friend the opportunity to bring their own braille or large print playing cards. It also gives them the chance to decline if they feel the event might not be a good fit for them as a visually-impaired person. (And that’s ok, too!) 

ALWAYS Invite! Even if you think the activity (like a board game) might be challenging or inaccessible, always extend the invitation. Your friend knows their own capability and can decide to decline, adapt the activity, or surprise you by dominating the event. Let them make the call!

Overnight Guest Tips:

These tips can help make your visually-impaired guest feel more comfortable during an overnight stay. 

Show Them Where The Light Switch Is. In their designated room and bathroom, clearly show where the light switches and relevant pull cords are. .

Show Them The Electrical Outlet: Show them where the electrical outlets are, especially the one near the bed for charging phones and other devices. No one wants to hunt for a plug for 30 minutes before going to bed.

Simplify the Shower:  If your visually-impaired guest intends to shower (and use any provided shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc), it can be difficult to discern which bottle is which. Show your guest where the shampoo, conditioner, and body wash live in your shower. 

BONUS: For two identical bottles (such as shampoo and conditioner), place a hair tie or rubber band around the shampoo to provide a tactile cue about which bottle is which. 

A hair tie can be an excellent tacticle cue for differentiating identical bottles.

Check In Before Bed: Before they settle in, kindly ask if they need anything: a glass of water, an extra towel, or a blanket. Since finding things in an unfamiliar environment can be a process for visually-impaired folks, having essential items placed deliberately in advance is hugely helpful.

If They Have a Guide Dog:  Offering a couple of spare blankets or towels for the dog to sleep on (usually right next to the owner's bed) is a kind, thoughtful gesture.

Now go forth and host with confidence! Your thoughtful preparation will make your guest feel welcome and completely at ease.