On Monday, March 18th, Google Doodle featured the Japanese inventor of detectable dome tiles, Seiichi Miyake. His invention changed the world by empowering and protecting individuals with visual impairments to cross streets with greater ease. Fifty-two years have passed since the first dome tiles were installed, and these detectable warning tiles are now part of many cities throughout the world.

People who lose their vision, whether at birth or later in life, must learn how to navigate the world a little bit differently. For those with vision, it can be difficult to understand how someone with limited or no sight sees the world. Yet, people with blindness live full, independent lives just like the rest of us. And this guide will help you to better understand the ends and outs of a world without sight.

Just as societies innately understand the subtle rules of social interaction, there is also an etiquette for interacting with a blind person or someone with low vision. People with vision often struggle to interact with others who have vision impairment. People freeze, uncertain of what to do, or communicate in a demoralizing way. But that doesn’t have to be the case.

People with vision need to know how to best interact with someone who cannot see, and these social cues can be a helpful guide to making a city more accessible.

Visually impaired people are all around us. Unfortunately, there are very few who take the time to learn about blindness and low-vision, and this makes the world a much more difficult place to live for those who suffer from these conditions. After all, it’s very challenging to be helpful and take steps toward positive change when you have no idea who you’re helping or what needs to be met.