[blindlaw] Refusal To Use A Cane

[Ronza Othman]

Mark,

I find your comments interesting, but I disagree.  I am of the belief that
the cane is the best method for independent travel, as the individual is
entirely dependent on his or her own skills.  I believe that a guide dog is
a good alternative for those who prefer, as the individual is still "in
charge" of his or her own independence and is the decision-maker.  However,
I believe, in certain situations, sighted guide is acceptable.  Let me give
you an example.  In a previous job, I worked as a prosecutor where I had to
go to crime scenes to assess what charges should be filed.  Had I walked
through the scene alone with my cane, I would have disturbed the scene and
transferred evidence from one place to another.  By going sighted guide, I
could still experience the scene but be steered away from stepping on
evidence, disturbing blood splatter, etc.  No one thought I was incompetent
because I couldn't see and had a sighted guide.  I'd have been an
incompetent prosecutor if I'd mucked up the evidence.  

Similarly, there are situations when it is most appropriate and useful to
use a human reader.  It frustrates me to no end when folks complain about
lack of access when technology fails or isn't workable.  Readers are
efficient and respectable.  Let's face it - up until recently, we've lived
in a world of handwriting, not digital information.  Just my thoughts.

Ronza


-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mark
BurningHawk
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2012 10:28 AM
To: Blind Law Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Refusal To Use A Cane

Just to complete my shunning, I really wish that guiding tactics and use
with blind people would be discouraged.  IN the "real world," I've heard so
much talk of, adults do not lead other adults around by the arm or hand.
Children are led.  Guiding blind people and teaching blind people to be
guided as a normal recourse just cements the stance of blind adults as 3/5
of a person (this comes from the southern Reconstruction period, when a
newly freed black person was counted at 3/5 of a vote in elections).
Guiding isn't a replacement for independence.  And, yes, I sometimes have no
choice but to use guiding also, simply because the system is in place and
one maverick's opinion isn't going to change it, but I abhor touching or
being touched by strangers (another thing blind people are expected to
endure, physical contact), and I see the attitude change toward me, from
respect to polite dismissal or humoring, once I have conceded to being led
around.  Really, we NEED to develop or teach less guiding, less demand for
protection, less back-seat status, and we need to stop practicing amongst
ourselves tactics and mannerisms that encourage it.

Mark BurningHawk
Skype and Twitter:  BurningHawk1969
Home page:  Http://MarkBurningHawk.net/


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