Guide Dogs offers free, virtual sighted guide training, open to anyone aged 18 and over who would like to learn the basics of sighted guiding. This training is ideal for anyone who works, or volunteers, with members of the public.
The Introduction to Sighted Guide Training is a live online session open to the public, delivered by one of our expert staff who is available to answer questions and provide advice. It covers:
- How to start a conversation when you meet someone who is blind or partially sighted.
- The confidence to ask someone if they need assistance.
- Basic guiding techniques for getting around obstacles, crossing roads and getting in and out of cars.
- An introduction to common eye conditions and their impact.
- Awareness of access rights and barriers to independence.
Guide Dogs are currently offering three virtual sessions per week, at different timeslots. Sessions last one hour.
To book onto a session, visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/sightedguidingintro
Additionally, Guide Dogs offer a range of training specifically for friends and family members of adults with sight loss, and for organisations (depending on staff capacity). To explore the range of training, visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/sightedguiding