You weren't trained for this—but you can set the tone for success.
You went into your profession to help people. Rusty can help you serve your blind clients or students more effectively—with confidence, clarity, and genuine understanding.
You encounter blind people as an educator, rehabilitation specialist, healthcare provider, social worker, or other clinical professional—but blindness was probably not part of your training. You want to serve your blind students, clients and patients effectively, but you're not sure what they need or how to provide it without overstepping or underestimating.
With the right support and guidance, your communications, assumptions, and the expectations you set can significantly and positively impact outcomes and experiences for the blind and vision impaired people you serve.
“The professionals who helped me most were the ones who asked good questions, listened carefully, and treated me like a capable person who happened to need some things done differently.”
— Rusty Perez, Your Blind Ally
Solve Common Concerns.
You may be wondering:
How do I communicate effectively without making assumptions?
What should I expect them to be able to do—and what might they need help with?
What questions are okay to ask about their blindness?
How do I provide services without being condescending or overly cautious?
What resources and referrals should I be aware of?
How do I work with families who are either over-protective or in denial?
What assistive technology should I know about?
Am I doing more harm than good with my current approach?
How do I balance empathy with maintaining appropriate expectations?
These are exactly the kinds of questions Rusty can help you answer with confidence.
How Rusty Can Help You
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Rusty provides training tailored to your profession and setting:
Understanding blindness from lived experience
Effective communication strategies
Setting appropriate expectations
Avoiding common pitfalls and assumptions
Understanding assistive technology and resources
Working effectively with families and support systems
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When you have a blind client or student, you may need guidance to help you:
Develop and implement strategies for specific challenges or situations
Recommend accommodations and supports
Help navigate complex family dynamics
Connect clients with appropriate resources
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Rusty helps you advocate for yourself effectively in educational settings, workplaces, andcommunities. You'll learn how to communicate your needs, request appropriate accommodations,and stand up for your rights with confidence.
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Rusty can help you build or improve programs that serve blind individuals, including:
Reviewing policies and procedures for accessibility
Developing inclusive practices
Training staff on blindness-related topics
Creating resources andmaterials
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As new situations arise or your understanding deepens, Rusty can provide continued guidance to helpyou serve your blind clients or students more effectively.