This past month, John Wayne Airport was proud to host training by the Braille Institute of Orange County. The organization provided team members with informative, practical information and educated attendees about visual impairments, available resources, and how to guide the blind and visually impaired.
The class, Understanding Vision Loss: Human Guide Safety Techniques, taught techniques designed to help understand visually impaired guests and different ways to offer assistance focused on providing support and service considerate of the individual’s feeling of self-esteem and self-confidence.
“It is essential that we provide consistent training for our employees to assist guests that request additional support when traveling through the Airport,” said Rick Francis, Interim Airport Director.
Participants received an overview of the various visual impairments and blindness conditions they could potentially encounter. After watching a video showcasing individuals with visual impairments demonstrate how to approach, engage, communicate and assist individuals, the group put their knowledge to practice. Groups practiced human guide techniques and gained a new perspective when attempting to navigate using a walking stick while closing their eyes.
The class attendees included members from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, John Wayne Airport Customer Relations Associates, and Public Affairs team members.
The Braille Institute is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to positively transform the lives of those with vision loss. They serve more than 37,000 people through various free programs, classes, and services at centers and community outreach locations throughout Southern California. For more information about the Institute, please visit https://brailleinstitute.org/
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