Introduction to Sighted Guide Training

This free, online training is ideal if you’re keen to learn the basics of guiding an adult with sight loss. By learning some simple sighted guiding techniques, you’ll be well on your way to providing help confidently and safely whenever needed.

Guide Dogs is committed to Sighted Guiding – we’ve seen the benefits it delivered to people’s lives. Over the course of this year we will be doubling the size of the team delivering training to the friends and family of a person with a vision impairment, and to the community and corporates, with the aim of making sighted guiding skills as widespread and well-known as first aid.

Over the next few weeks we will be focusing on realigning our teams and preparing for the next phase of our service provision. During this time we will be completing fewer training days, so there may be a delay in providing new courses, but we look forward to getting back to full speed in the summer.

On this page

    What does Introduction to Sighted Guide Training cover?

    • How to start a conversation when you meet someone who is blind or partially sighted, to ask 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.
    A man guiding a guide dog owner into a cafe

    Who is the session for?

    This course is available to anyone aged 18 and over, and is delivered in a live, online session by one of our expert staff who is available to answer questions and provide advice.

    When does the Introduction to Sighted Guide Training take place?

    The training takes place online. We run three sessions during the week, across a range of times.

    Sign up to an Introduction to Sighted Guide Training

    Complete our online form to sign up for an Introduction to Sighted Guide Training.

    Sign up
    A man guiding a woman to find her chair in a café, by placing his hand on the back of the chair

    What people thought of our sessions

    • 92% of attendees would recommend this session to others.
    • 94% of attendees agreed or strongly agreed that the trainer was knowledgeable, responsive and helpful.
    • 91% of attendees said their knowledge and understanding has increased as a result of this training.

    (Results based on 248 survey completions in 2022)

    The training was very helpful, I knew a little about sight loss before attending but I now feel confident in being able to assist a person with sight loss.
    Feedback from a previous attendee

    Frequently asked questions

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    Find out how you can take your training to the next level and become a volunteer for Guide Dogs!

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