[blindkid] To Sign or not To Sign

Albert J Rizzi albert at myblindspot.org
Sun Feb 24 17:15:10 UTC 2013


Peter,

Opinions are just that, opinions. Everyone has one. agreed, probably best to
leave this one covered as discussions go, and best to agree to disagree.
Peace.

-----Original Message-----
From: blindkid [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Peter
Donahue
Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2013 12:07 PM
To: Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)
Subject: Re: [blindkid] To Sign or not To Sign

Hello Albert and everyone,

    Our experience is not simply from suggestion. I lived it! Even more
ironic is the fact that our house was located in a school zone. During
school hours drivers are required to drive slower to enhance the safety of
children . Having sinage alerting motorists to the presence of a blind child
in this situation was over-kill and unnecessary. Such sinage only reinforces
the mistaken belief that the blind cannot travel safely and that it's the
public's job to "Take care of us." And there's the issue of the presence of
these signs encouraging malicious persons to hassle the disabled individual
by throwing things at the persons, the signs, attempting to run the blind
person over, etc. Such behavior creates an even more dangerous situation for
all children in areas where such sinage is posted. Fortunately I was not
harassed by neighbors when I decided it was time to venture out on my own. 
This is a can of worms best left sealed.

Peter Donahue

 ----- Original Message -----
From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
To: "'Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)'" 
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2013 10:24 AM
Subject: Re: [blindkid] To Sign or not To Sign


All,

I had signs put up on my block after  walking out of my home, in a quiet
residential neighborhood and while crossing the street to my neighbors
house, and individual in a car thought they would be funny and sped up and
nearly hit me, intentionally, for kicks.

For warned is for armed. I do not agree with some positions here that a sign
lessons our stature in the community, but provides information to others for
interpretation and action.

Much as signs are put up on the sides of roads, as they have been for
decades, and much as they have been the target for rocks, and or pop shots,
to think that signs alerting drivers to circumstances and situations that
will impact their driving,   and how their driving might or might not impact
members of the community is not a bad idea. It is an option, that like any
option, is just that. an option. We can either choose to take those options
or not. to think that some would suggest that such signage would then pave
the way for a blind child or a deaf child to be tormented by others is a
stretch in my opinion.

I feel good about my choice, and my insistence to have the signs up, to add
to the tools I have to ensure that I am not run down by careless drivers who
might mistaken me for someone who can see them coming down the road,
especially with those hybrid cars on the road these days.

My choices, are mine, and for me they are not wrong. So I say, if so
inclined, and if as a parent you feel it will give you a piece of mind, and
add a layer of safety for your child, as well as other children in the area,
put that sign up and put it up with confidence and purpose. Peace.

.

-----Original Message-----
From: blindkid [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Peter
Donahue
Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2013 11:10 AM
To: Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)
Subject: Re: [blindkid] To Sign or not To Sign

Good morning everyone,

    Like Merry's neighborhood there were signs for a deaf child posted near
the child's home. My parents saw this and had "Blind Child" signs placed
near our house as well. They attracted more attention then was desired. They
made fine targets for the neighborhood kids to throw rocks at or shoot at as
if they were meant for target practicing. Given these reactions these signs
had the very opposite effect then originally intended. If I had a disabled
child I would avoid them like the plague. If a municipality insisted on
putting up these signs due to my disabled child I'd tell them "Not on our
block!"

Peter Donahue

----- Original Message -----
From: "Merry-Noel Chamberlain" <owinm at yahoo.com>
To: <blindkid at nfbnet.org>; <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2013 9:46 AM
Subject: Re: [blindkid] To Sign or not To Sign


This has been a very interesting conversation. I thank everyone for their
input in helping Ashleah with her Girl Scout research project. My daughter,
Ashleah, is a super traveler. (She has no choice as I am an O&M instructor.)

My husband & I have been discussing this topic ever since buying this house
this past summer. It is his old neighborhood of his growing up days. At that

time there was a sign for a deaf child. We live four houses from the Middle
& Elem. schools and on the street where parents drop off and pick up their
children. It can get quite busy- especially in the morning as parents are in

a rush to get to work.  Needless to say, my husband  and I have opposite
opinions about this topic.  We have discussed this idea with Ashleah, now in

7th grade and walking to school for the first time in her life. Although  we

live so close to school, she does need to cross 2 streets/one intersection.
Before school, most times, there is a crossing guard but
 afterwards, she enjoys staying later for social activities and, at that
time, there is not a crossing guard by the time she leaves school.  I did
some research and discovered our town no longer has a special sign for
blindness, deafness, or otherwise. Rather, there is a "Caution, Special
Needs Child" sign.  Here, the sign can be posted only up to when the child
is age 13 or entering Middle School.  Sometimes I'll meet her at school
and walk with her home to monitor her street crossing skills..... She used
to run to dross the street but now, she is walking... Her confidence is
growing!

Merry-Noel
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Version: 2013.0.2899 / Virus Database: 2639/6119 - Release Date: 02/20/13

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