1. Extend yourself in greeting. Identify yourself by name.

2. Let a blind person know your handshaking intentions: "I’d like to shake your hand and welcome you to our church."

3. Offer to share information from the church bulletin or bulletin boards.

4. Show the blind guest around: location of restroom, pastor’s office, fellowship hall, etc. Describe features of the rooms.

5. Let the blind person know if you're leaving the area. It's embarrassing to speak to someone no longer there.

6. Recognize that a guide dog is legally allowed to go to church. If your service is long, identify an out-of-the way grassy area for the dog to use.

7. Volunteer to provide transportation to future special events and church services.


Cassie Milnes Martsching, a 2004 Union College graduate, writes from Lincoln, Nebraska where she was an editorial assistant for Christian Record Services at the time this article was written.

Reprinted with permission. Outlook, January, 2006.