For many students, it can be very anxiety-provoking to approach a professor with a question or comment. When trying to be welcoming to students, keep in mind the following in order to include blind students as well.
In class discussions
- When calling on a blind student with their hand raised, call on them by their name.
- If you do not yet know their name, you can substitute with a description of their location in the room (in the front row, near the left of the room).
- Avoid referring to them with a physical description, as your description has the potential to offend someone, and may also apply to others in the room, creating confusion.
- If you are passing the microphone around, inform the student that you are bringing them the microphone so they don’t start talking before you are ready.
Talking before or after class
- Greet the student by name as they approach you.
- Substitute with a general greeting if you don’t yet know the student’s name.
- If you see that the student attempting to figure out where you are (pausing and listening, etc.), greet the student and specify where you are in relation to them.
- “Hello, I’m a little more to your right.”
