Guiding for blind and visually impaired (VI) individuals involves volunteering to walk or run alongside them, providing verbal cues and/or holding a tether to ensure their safety and enhance their experience. This guide explores the process of becoming a guide runner, providing essential tips and information.
United In Stride values volunteers who dedicate their time and effort to assisting VI walkers and runners. Guides are needed for various paces and distances, catering to the diverse needs of the VI athlete community, from beginners to elite athletes. By becoming a guide runner, you enable visually impaired individuals to participate in outdoor activities they might otherwise miss.
Building Trust and Understanding
Trust is crucial for a successful walking or running partnership. VI athletes rely on their guides to minimize risks such as collisions or tripping hazards.
Before your first outing, discuss expectations and boundaries. Consider these questions:
- What are the athlete’s goals and expectations? Are they training for a race, maintaining fitness, or simply enjoying the outdoors?
- What is the expected pace, distance, and frequency of your runs/walks? Align your availability and fitness level with the athlete’s needs.
- Can the athlete explain their vision loss and its impact on their mobility? Understanding the specific challenges faced by the athlete is essential.
- What guiding cues and assistance methods work best for the athlete? This may require experimentation, especially for athletes new to guided running.
Asking questions, respecting boundaries, listening attentively, and honoring commitments are essential for building a strong foundation of trust and mutual respect.
Exploring Guiding Methods
Several guiding methods exist, and the VI athlete will determine the most suitable one based on their comfort and safety. Guides should also express their comfort level with each method.
Verbal Cues
Verbal communication is paramount in all guiding methods, especially when a tether isn’t used. For deaf-blind athletes, alternative cueing methods are necessary.
No Tether
- Front to Back: The VI walker/runner follows behind, utilizing their residual vision.
- Side by Side: The VI athlete walks/runs alongside the guide, possibly holding their shoulder or arm lightly.
With Tether
- Hand-Held Tether: Typically a short rope, shoestring, or strap with loops at both ends (approximately 18 inches). The material, length, and loop size vary based on preference. Shorter tethers are generally preferred by those with less vision.
- Rigid Hand-Held Tether: Both guide and VI athlete hold a rigid object like a “white cane” for a more connected feel.
- Waist-to-Waist Tether: A band connects to belts or loops around each runner’s waist, allowing hands-free running.
Touch Cues
- Lightly touching the arm while giving verbal cues can provide directional guidance, particularly without a tether. Gentle nudges or pulls can help with course correction.
- However, avoid pulling or grabbing the VI athlete unless there is imminent danger. Discuss touch cues beforehand.
Elbow Leads
- Often used before or after runs when a white cane isn’t practical, the VI athlete holds the guide’s arm just above the elbow.
- Crucially, the guide should NOT pull the VI athlete around. This is generally considered offensive.
- Some VI athletes prefer to hold the guide’s arm this way while running.
Essential Guiding Instructions
When in Doubt, Call it Out!
VI walkers/runners rely on your descriptions of obstacles, terrain, and the surrounding environment. Even seemingly minor hazards like puddles, leaves, mud, or gravel should be announced.
Announce Upcoming Features:
- “We’ll be running downhill for a couple hundred yards, then the road flattens out.”
- “A cyclist is approaching us on the other side of the path, so let’s stay where we are.”
- “There’s a stoplight ahead. We’ll stop at the end of the sidewalk and wait for it to turn green.”
Inform of Terrain Changes:
Always announce transitions like pavement to cobblestone, pavement to dirt or grass, stepping onto a wooden bridge, cresting a hill, or encountering dips and bumps. Slow down briefly to allow the VI walker/runner to adjust.
Use a 3-2-1 Countdown:
This helps time obstacles, turns, and footing changes.
- “We’ll be stepping down a curb in 3-2-1, step down.”
- “Overhanging branches ahead, duck in 3-2-1, duck. All clear.”
- “We’ll be making a hard right turn in 3-2-1, turn.”
Be a Bumper:
Act as a “bumper” on one side to protect the VI athlete from potential hazards, maintaining your position so they can correct their course if they bump into you. When using a hand-held tether, you are the bumper on one side, and the tether provides a boundary on the other.
Run Single File in Tight Spaces:
When navigating narrow spaces, announce the change (e.g., “Cyclist approaching, move behind me”). The guide speeds up to position themselves in front. With a tether, hold the tethered hand in the middle of your back. Once clear, announce “All clear” so the VI athlete can resume running alongside.
Last-Minute Physical Corrections are OK:
If verbal cues aren’t fast enough, it’s acceptable to push or pull the VI athlete out of harm’s way.
Describe Visual Observations:
Share your visual observations, such as colorful sunrises, blooming flowers, or other interesting sights.
Practice on Your Own:
Practice calling out cues while running/walking alone. This improves timing and awareness. Blindfold yourself and have a friend guide you for a better understanding of helpful cues. Alternatively, blindfold a willing friend and practice guiding them.
During a Race:
During races, guides often provide pacing feedback and collect water cups.
Commitment Expectations for Guides
VI athletes benefit from having multiple guides in their network. Guides should volunteer once or twice a month, combining their love of athletics with a flexible volunteering opportunity. You are generally not expected to be someone’s primary guide, and they should have or be actively recruiting other guides. Even faster runners are often willing to guide at a slower pace occasionally.
Guiding at Races: Logistics
Race logistics can be stressful for VI/blind runners. Arriving early can minimize these stressors. Contact the race organizer before registering to understand guide registration procedures.
By understanding these guidelines and practicing regularly, you can become a valuable and trusted guide runner, empowering visually impaired individuals to achieve their athletic goals and enjoy the benefits of outdoor activity.
