U-M’s Center for Disability Health and Wellness (CDHW) has developed a new training module for human guides to improve accessibility for Michigan Medicine patients who are blind or vision impaired. Human guides – historically known as sighted guides – help patients move safely from one place to another using different maneuvers for patients who utilize white canes or service dogs.

This brief training (less than 20 minutes) provides instruction on how to move individuals safely and smoothly through any environment. Guides learn to signal pauses, turns, steps, and more through their voice and specific movements of their body. The training program is available to all Michigan Medicine providers, staff, and volunteers who would like to provide travel assistance to individuals who are blind or vision impaired.

The following individuals and organizations were involved in the development of this training:

• Lead: Tyler G. James, PhD, MCHES
• Orientation and Mobility Specialist: Lori Board, TVI, COMS
• Blind/Low Vision Stakeholders: Will Purves and Mark Hymes
• CDHW Medical Director: Michael M. McKee, MD, MPH
• Interpreter Services: Christa Moran, MEd, NIC, CoreCHI
• Office of Patient Experience: Quinlan Davis
• Organizations: Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston, and Leader Dogs for the Blind

Learn more and watch the free training. The first 400 Michigan Medicine affiliates to complete the training will receive a Human Guide at Michigan Medicine lapel pin.