[Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the Dark"
Jewel S.
herekittykat2 at gmail.com
Sat Mar 13 14:37:12 UTC 2010
I agree with this last poster (Gloria, I think?). Steve hasn't been
rude, although he has been bantersome (is that a word?). We're all
entitled to our opinions, and we shouldn't get rude with people over
them.
~Jewel
On 3/13/10, Aziza Cano <daydreamingncolor at gmail.com> wrote:
> Yes well at least Steve has better manners. I haven't seen him direct any
> rude comments to anyone so far. Sighted people think blind people are often
> rude too, perhaps we should focus on justifying that misconception, before
> we tell others what to do.
> From: "Gloria Whipple" <fairyfoot at webband.com>
> To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 11:31 PM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the Dark"
>
>
>> Ray,
>>
>> Your floor would probably listen to you better than Steve.
>>
>> What a crappy attitude!
>>
>>
>> Gloria Whipple
>> Corrisponding secretary
>> Inland Empire chapter
>> nfb of WA
>>
>> cell number: 509-475-4993
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Ray Foret jr
>> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 5:59 PM
>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the
>> Dark"
>>
>> Okay, how about you give me a straight answer instead of what you actually
>> said. YOu know as well as I do that it's attitudes like yours that do us
>> more damage than anything. Yes, whether or not you admit it, it really
>> does
>> come down to what the sighted think of us. But, I'm done talking to you.
>> Obviously, I'd make more progress talking to my floor.
>>
>>
>> Sincerely,
>> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>>
>> E-Mail:
>> rforetjr at comcast dot net
>>
>> On Mar 11, 2010, at 7:38 PM, Steve P. Deeley wrote:
>>
>>> Please don't blame it all on the attitudes of sighted individuals. This
>> is not completely correct. You are being simplistic concerning this
>> employment matter. It is so easy to take the easy way out of the issues
>> concerning blind individuals and employment. There many factors to
>> discuss.
>>>
>>> Steve
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ray Foret jr" <rforetjr at comcast.net>
>>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 6:36 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the
>> Dark"
>>>
>>>
>>>> Steve, you need to understand that attitudes about blind people such as
>> are indicated in that article are the reasons why we can't get jobs. It's
>> blind people like you who help foster those attitudes and give us more
>> work
>> to do. Maybe you've had it easy all your life; but, I'll have you know
>> that
>> too many of us haven't. Why don't you give us a break and start helping
>> us
>> instead of putting out how much better you are than the rest of us. IF
>> you
>> have better ideas than the rest of us, why don't you tell us what they
>> are?
>> In the mean time, we've got to carry you on our backs and do your work for
>> you because you won't.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Sincerely,
>>>> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>>>>
>>>> E-Mail:
>>>> rforetjr at comcast dot net
>>>>
>>>> On Mar 11, 2010, at 3:44 PM, Steve P. Deeley wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Give me a break, it is not. I'm blind and I'm not offended. You
>>>>> people
>> need to find something more serious to worry about i.e., our president
>> running the economy into the ditch!Steve
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Graves, Diane"
>>>>> <dgraves at icrc.IN.gov>
>>>>> To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 3:48 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the
>> Dark"
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Why not? It is exactly the same type of prejudicial attitude. The only
>> difference is that, when it is directed at the blind, it is disguised and
>> dripping with pity and unwanted sympathy and patronization.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It is bias, prejudice, and discriminatory, No matter what the intent
>> is. We should definitely go down the "race road." It is the same thing.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Diane Graves
>>>>>> Civil Rights Specialist
>>>>>> Indiana Civil Rights Commission
>>>>>> Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
>>>>>> 317-232-2647
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "It is service that measures success."
>>>>>> George Washington Carver
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Confidentiality Notice: This E-mail transmission may contain
>> confidential and/or legally privileged information intended only for the
>> individual or entity(ies)
>>>>>> named in the E-mail address. If you are not the intended recipient, be
>> advised that any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution, or acting
>> in reliance
>>>>>> upon the contents of this E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have
>> received this E-mail transmission in error, please reply to sender to
>> arrange for the return and proper delivery of the transmission.
>> Subsequently, delete the message from your system immediately.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>> On Behalf Of Steve P. Deeley
>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 3:21 PM
>>>>>> To: Gary Wunder; Blind Talk Mailing List
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the
>> Dark"
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I believe the writer of that letter sounds very angry. That, also,
>> turns
>>>>>> sighted individuals off. Let's not go down the race road for our
>> examples.
>>>>>> Steve
>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gary Wunder"
>> <gwunder at earthlink.net>
>>>>>> To: "Marion Gwizdala" <blind411 at verizon.net>; "Blind Talk Mailing
>>>>>> List"
>>>>>> <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 1:57 PM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the
>> Dark"
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> You should be able to get it mailed to your e-mail address on file by
>>>>>>> pressing pound 9.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Gary
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Marion Gwizdala"
>> <blind411 at verizon.net>
>>>>>>> To: <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>; "NAGDU List" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 10:54 AM
>>>>>>> Subject: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the
>> Dark"
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Dear All,
>>>>>>>> I tried to get a copy of the original article about which I wrote
>> this
>>>>>>>> letter to the editor; however, it was not available without paying a
>> fee.
>>>>>>>> The article can be accessed by going to NFB-Newsline and selecting
>> the
>>>>>>>> St.Petersburg Times Metro section. If anyone can get access to this
>>>>>>>> article, please send it to the list. Pasted below is my letter to
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> editor.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Fraternally yours,
>>>>>>>> Marion Gwizdala
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> March 11, 2010
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I am writing to comment on the article "Awareness Was the
>> Main
>>>>>>>> Course" by Laura Reiley that appeared in the March 10 Metro section
>> of
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> St. Petersburg times. As a blind person, I often meet people who are
>>>>>>>> amazed by the fact that I can perform even the simplest of tasks.
>>>>>>>> Generally this attitude is based on their own experience attempting
>> to
>>>>>>>> perform the same task without eyesight and failing at it miserably.
>> It is
>>>>>>>> for this reason that most blind people are opposed to using the type
>> of
>>>>>>>> simulation exercises featured in this article. Blindfolding a
>>>>>>>> sighted
>>>>>>>> person and asking them to perform even a simple task does not, as
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> article purports, give a person any awareness of what the life of a
>> blind
>>>>>>>> person is like. In fact, such exercises only serve to reinforce the
>>>>>>>> misconceptions and promulgate the myths about blindness that create
>> the
>>>>>>>> social, legal, and economic barriers that prevent us from achieving
>> true
>>>>>>>> equality with our sighted peers. Those of us who are blind have
>> developed
>>>>>>>> an array of non-visual techniques to perform activities of daily
>> living,
>>>>>>>> such as eating, just as effectively as sighted people do using
>> eyesight.
>>>>>>>> Blindfolding a sighted person and asking them to perform a task is
>> like
>>>>>>>> putting someone in the cockpit of a jetliner and telling them to
>>>>>>>> fly!
>>>>>>>> Lacking the proper skills, the results of both would be disastrous!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The real problem of blindness is not the lack of eyesight;
>>>>>>>> rather it is the manner in which we are treated as the result of the
>>>>>>>> misconceptions people have about blindness. If one really wants to
>> find
>>>>>>>> out what life is like for a blind person, there is no need to don a
>>>>>>>> blindfold! All one needs to do is carry a white cane, the
>> international
>>>>>>>> symbol of blindness, and go about their everyday life. Then they
>> would
>>>>>>>> feel the crushing insults of public misperception that blind
>>>>>>>> people,
>>>>>>>> except for those few who are believed to be amazing and
>> extraordinary,
>>>>>>>> are
>>>>>>>> innately ignorant and helpless. They would experience the waitress
>> who
>>>>>>>> asks a five year old what the blind adult wants to drink. They would
>>>>>>>> encounter the librarian who admonishes them for going out alone,
>>>>>>>> thus
>>>>>>>> exposing them to the hazards of opening a door. They would be
>> confronted
>>>>>>>> by the Employer who inquires about who will bring them to work. They
>>>>>>>> would
>>>>>>>> learn that even well educated doctors are so ignorant as to ask them
>> who
>>>>>>>> bathes them! Though you might want to minimize these incidents away,
>> they
>>>>>>>> are examples of the type of ignorance I - and other blind people -
>>>>>>>> encounter on a regular, almost daily, basis!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I am not asserting that eyesight is not beneficial nor that
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> work of the Foundation Fighting Blindness is not valuable. What
>> concerns
>>>>>>>> me is that organizations that assert they want to "serve the blind"
>> do us
>>>>>>>> such a disservice by reinforcing the public misconceptions and fears
>> that
>>>>>>>> create the problems we face. I am all for raising money to cure
>> retinal
>>>>>>>> degenerative diseases, especially since the condition that has
>>>>>>>> caused
>> my
>>>>>>>> blindness, that of my 14-year-old nephew , and several other members
>> of
>>>>>>>> my
>>>>>>>> family is retinitis Pigmentosa. I am, however, opposed to creating
>> the
>>>>>>>> type of fear and pity that results from blindfolding people for the
>>>>>>>> purpose of raising money! Such a practice is as offensive to me as a
>>>>>>>> black-faced minstrel would be to an African American! These
>>>>>>>> misconceptions
>>>>>>>> are the reason fewer than 10% of blind children are learning to read
>> and
>>>>>>>> write Braille, producing functionally illiterate blind adults. These
>>>>>>>> fears
>>>>>>>> and misconceptions are the reason that the unemployment rate among
>> the
>>>>>>>> blind is more than 70%!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The veracity of my concerns are supported by the numerous
>>>>>>>> inaccurate statements made by the author who has bought into the
>> false
>>>>>>>> perceptions of the blind. Does she really believe that "other senses
>> are
>>>>>>>> heightened" by taking away one's sight or "; texture became
>> paramount" as
>>>>>>>> the result of simulated blindness? Does she really believe that
>>>>>>>> blindfolding participants "gave all assembled a greater window into
>> the
>>>>>>>> world of the sightless"? Does she really believe that blind people
>>>>>>>> go
>>>>>>>> through life "bumbling" their ways around or did she just
>> irresponsibly
>>>>>>>> promulgate the pitiful stereotype in an effort to sell your
>> newspapers
>>>>>>>> like the Foundation Fighting Blindness did to sell themselves and
>>>>>>>> selfishly generate revenue with no concern about the social
>> consequences
>>>>>>>> of their actions?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The belief that blind people are endowed with heightened
>>>>>>>> senses
>>>>>>>> and special powers is a myth. Blind people simply learn to use their
>>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>>> senses and alternative techniques to perform the tasks sighted
>>>>>>>> people
>> do
>>>>>>>> with eyesight. Like any skill, these techniques are generally not
>>>>>>>> acquired
>>>>>>>> in a half-hour nor mysteriously and supernaturally endowed. However,
>>>>>>>> these
>>>>>>>> skills enable blind people to function independently, efficiently,
>> and
>>>>>>>> effectively. In fact, the average blind person can perform the same
>> tasks
>>>>>>>> as their sighted peers as well, if not better, by employing these
>>>>>>>> alternative techniques. Our blindness is not the problem. The real
>>>>>>>> problem
>>>>>>>> of blindness is the misunderstanding and lack of information that
>> exists.
>>>>>>>> If a blind person is given proper training and opportunity,
>>>>>>>> blindness
>> is
>>>>>>>> only a physical nuisance.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> In the future, when your paper is doing a story about
>>>>>>>> blindness, it would be helpful to get accurate information and the
>>>>>>>> perspective of a blind person who is qualified to speak to these
>> issues
>>>>>>>> by
>>>>>>>> being chosen by the blind to speak on their behalf. The National
>>>>>>>> Federation of the Blind is the oldest and largest organization of
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> blind in the United States. We are not an organization that speaks
>>>>>>>> on
>>>>>>>> behalf of the blind; we are the blind speaking for ourselves. For
>>>>>>>> accurate
>>>>>>>> information about blindness or the blind, please feel free to get in
>>>>>>>> touch
>>>>>>>> with me or visit one of our websites at
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> HTTP://WWW.NFB.ORG
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Or
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> HTTP://WWW.NFB-NAGDU.ORG
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Respectfully yours,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Marion Gwizdala, President
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> 813-598-7161
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> President at NFB-NAGDU.ORG
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> blindtlk mailing list
>>>>>>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>> blindtlk:
>>>>>>>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/gwunder%40earthlin
>> k.net
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> blindtlk mailing list
>>>>>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>> blindtlk:
>>>>>>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/stevep.deeley%40in
>> sightbb.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> ----
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>>>> Version: 8.5.436 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2736 - Release Date:
>> 03/11/10
>>>>>> 07:33:00
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> blindtlk mailing list
>>>>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindtlk:
>>>>>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/dgraves%40icrc.in.
>> gov
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> blindtlk mailing list
>>>>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindtlk:
>>>>>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/stevep.deeley%40in
>> sightbb.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> ----
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>>> Version: 8.5.436 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2736 - Release Date:
>>>>> 03/11/10
>> 07:33:00
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> blindtlk mailing list
>>>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindtlk:
>>>>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/rforetjr%40comcast
>> .net
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> blindtlk mailing list
>>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindtlk:
>>>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/stevep.deeley%40in
>> sightbb.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>> ----
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>> Version: 8.5.436 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2736 - Release Date: 03/11/10
>> 07:33:00
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>>>
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>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
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>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindtlk:
>>>
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>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindtlk mailing list
>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindtlk:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/fairyfoot%40webban
>> d.com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindtlk mailing list
>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindtlk:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/daydreamingncolor%40gmail.com
> ----- Original Message -----
> en't seen him direct any rude comments to anyone so far. Sighted people
> think blind people are often rude too, perhaps we should focus on justifying
> that misconception, before we tell others what to do.From: "Gloria Whipple"
> <fairyfoot at webband.com>
> To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 11:31 PM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the Dark"
>
>
>> Ray,
>>
>> Your floor would probably listen to you better than Steve.
>>
>> What a crappy attitude!
>>
>>
>> Gloria Whipple
>> Corrisponding secretary
>> Inland Empire chapter
>> nfb of WA
>>
>> cell number: 509-475-4993
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Ray Foret jr
>> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 5:59 PM
>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the
>> Dark"
>>
>> Okay, how about you give me a straight answer instead of what you actually
>> said. YOu know as well as I do that it's attitudes like yours that do us
>> more damage than anything. Yes, whether or not you admit it, it really
>> does
>> come down to what the sighted think of us. But, I'm done talking to you.
>> Obviously, I'd make more progress talking to my floor.
>>
>>
>> Sincerely,
>> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>>
>> E-Mail:
>> rforetjr at comcast dot net
>>
>> On Mar 11, 2010, at 7:38 PM, Steve P. Deeley wrote:
>>
>>> Please don't blame it all on the attitudes of sighted individuals. This
>> is not completely correct. You are being simplistic concerning this
>> employment matter. It is so easy to take the easy way out of the issues
>> concerning blind individuals and employment. There many factors to
>> discuss.
>>>
>>> Steve
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ray Foret jr" <rforetjr at comcast.net>
>>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 6:36 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the
>> Dark"
>>>
>>>
>>>> Steve, you need to understand that attitudes about blind people such as
>> are indicated in that article are the reasons why we can't get jobs. It's
>> blind people like you who help foster those attitudes and give us more
>> work
>> to do. Maybe you've had it easy all your life; but, I'll have you know
>> that
>> too many of us haven't. Why don't you give us a break and start helping
>> us
>> instead of putting out how much better you are than the rest of us. IF
>> you
>> have better ideas than the rest of us, why don't you tell us what they
>> are?
>> In the mean time, we've got to carry you on our backs and do your work for
>> you because you won't.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Sincerely,
>>>> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>>>>
>>>> E-Mail:
>>>> rforetjr at comcast dot net
>>>>
>>>> On Mar 11, 2010, at 3:44 PM, Steve P. Deeley wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Give me a break, it is not. I'm blind and I'm not offended. You
>>>>> people
>> need to find something more serious to worry about i.e., our president
>> running the economy into the ditch!Steve
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Graves, Diane"
>>>>> <dgraves at icrc.IN.gov>
>>>>> To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 3:48 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the
>> Dark"
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Why not? It is exactly the same type of prejudicial attitude. The only
>> difference is that, when it is directed at the blind, it is disguised and
>> dripping with pity and unwanted sympathy and patronization.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It is bias, prejudice, and discriminatory, No matter what the intent
>> is. We should definitely go down the "race road." It is the same thing.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Diane Graves
>>>>>> Civil Rights Specialist
>>>>>> Indiana Civil Rights Commission
>>>>>> Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
>>>>>> 317-232-2647
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "It is service that measures success."
>>>>>> George Washington Carver
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Confidentiality Notice: This E-mail transmission may contain
>> confidential and/or legally privileged information intended only for the
>> individual or entity(ies)
>>>>>> named in the E-mail address. If you are not the intended recipient, be
>> advised that any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution, or acting
>> in reliance
>>>>>> upon the contents of this E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have
>> received this E-mail transmission in error, please reply to sender to
>> arrange for the return and proper delivery of the transmission.
>> Subsequently, delete the message from your system immediately.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>> On Behalf Of Steve P. Deeley
>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 3:21 PM
>>>>>> To: Gary Wunder; Blind Talk Mailing List
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the
>> Dark"
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I believe the writer of that letter sounds very angry. That, also,
>> turns
>>>>>> sighted individuals off. Let's not go down the race road for our
>> examples.
>>>>>> Steve
>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gary Wunder"
>> <gwunder at earthlink.net>
>>>>>> To: "Marion Gwizdala" <blind411 at verizon.net>; "Blind Talk Mailing
>>>>>> List"
>>>>>> <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 1:57 PM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the
>> Dark"
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> You should be able to get it mailed to your e-mail address on file by
>>>>>>> pressing pound 9.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Gary
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Marion Gwizdala"
>> <blind411 at verizon.net>
>>>>>>> To: <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>; "NAGDU List" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 10:54 AM
>>>>>>> Subject: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the
>> Dark"
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Dear All,
>>>>>>>> I tried to get a copy of the original article about which I wrote
>> this
>>>>>>>> letter to the editor; however, it was not available without paying a
>> fee.
>>>>>>>> The article can be accessed by going to NFB-Newsline and selecting
>> the
>>>>>>>> St.Petersburg Times Metro section. If anyone can get access to this
>>>>>>>> article, please send it to the list. Pasted below is my letter to
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> editor.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Fraternally yours,
>>>>>>>> Marion Gwizdala
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> March 11, 2010
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I am writing to comment on the article "Awareness Was the
>> Main
>>>>>>>> Course" by Laura Reiley that appeared in the March 10 Metro section
>> of
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> St. Petersburg times. As a blind person, I often meet people who are
>>>>>>>> amazed by the fact that I can perform even the simplest of tasks.
>>>>>>>> Generally this attitude is based on their own experience attempting
>> to
>>>>>>>> perform the same task without eyesight and failing at it miserably.
>> It is
>>>>>>>> for this reason that most blind people are opposed to using the type
>> of
>>>>>>>> simulation exercises featured in this article. Blindfolding a
>>>>>>>> sighted
>>>>>>>> person and asking them to perform even a simple task does not, as
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> article purports, give a person any awareness of what the life of a
>> blind
>>>>>>>> person is like. In fact, such exercises only serve to reinforce the
>>>>>>>> misconceptions and promulgate the myths about blindness that create
>> the
>>>>>>>> social, legal, and economic barriers that prevent us from achieving
>> true
>>>>>>>> equality with our sighted peers. Those of us who are blind have
>> developed
>>>>>>>> an array of non-visual techniques to perform activities of daily
>> living,
>>>>>>>> such as eating, just as effectively as sighted people do using
>> eyesight.
>>>>>>>> Blindfolding a sighted person and asking them to perform a task is
>> like
>>>>>>>> putting someone in the cockpit of a jetliner and telling them to
>>>>>>>> fly!
>>>>>>>> Lacking the proper skills, the results of both would be disastrous!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The real problem of blindness is not the lack of eyesight;
>>>>>>>> rather it is the manner in which we are treated as the result of the
>>>>>>>> misconceptions people have about blindness. If one really wants to
>> find
>>>>>>>> out what life is like for a blind person, there is no need to don a
>>>>>>>> blindfold! All one needs to do is carry a white cane, the
>> international
>>>>>>>> symbol of blindness, and go about their everyday life. Then they
>> would
>>>>>>>> feel the crushing insults of public misperception that blind
>>>>>>>> people,
>>>>>>>> except for those few who are believed to be amazing and
>> extraordinary,
>>>>>>>> are
>>>>>>>> innately ignorant and helpless. They would experience the waitress
>> who
>>>>>>>> asks a five year old what the blind adult wants to drink. They would
>>>>>>>> encounter the librarian who admonishes them for going out alone,
>>>>>>>> thus
>>>>>>>> exposing them to the hazards of opening a door. They would be
>> confronted
>>>>>>>> by the Employer who inquires about who will bring them to work. They
>>>>>>>> would
>>>>>>>> learn that even well educated doctors are so ignorant as to ask them
>> who
>>>>>>>> bathes them! Though you might want to minimize these incidents away,
>> they
>>>>>>>> are examples of the type of ignorance I - and other blind people -
>>>>>>>> encounter on a regular, almost daily, basis!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I am not asserting that eyesight is not beneficial nor that
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> work of the Foundation Fighting Blindness is not valuable. What
>> concerns
>>>>>>>> me is that organizations that assert they want to "serve the blind"
>> do us
>>>>>>>> such a disservice by reinforcing the public misconceptions and fears
>> that
>>>>>>>> create the problems we face. I am all for raising money to cure
>> retinal
>>>>>>>> degenerative diseases, especially since the condition that has
>>>>>>>> caused
>> my
>>>>>>>> blindness, that of my 14-year-old nephew , and several other members
>> of
>>>>>>>> my
>>>>>>>> family is retinitis Pigmentosa. I am, however, opposed to creating
>> the
>>>>>>>> type of fear and pity that results from blindfolding people for the
>>>>>>>> purpose of raising money! Such a practice is as offensive to me as a
>>>>>>>> black-faced minstrel would be to an African American! These
>>>>>>>> misconceptions
>>>>>>>> are the reason fewer than 10% of blind children are learning to read
>> and
>>>>>>>> write Braille, producing functionally illiterate blind adults. These
>>>>>>>> fears
>>>>>>>> and misconceptions are the reason that the unemployment rate among
>> the
>>>>>>>> blind is more than 70%!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The veracity of my concerns are supported by the numerous
>>>>>>>> inaccurate statements made by the author who has bought into the
>> false
>>>>>>>> perceptions of the blind. Does she really believe that "other senses
>> are
>>>>>>>> heightened" by taking away one's sight or "; texture became
>> paramount" as
>>>>>>>> the result of simulated blindness? Does she really believe that
>>>>>>>> blindfolding participants "gave all assembled a greater window into
>> the
>>>>>>>> world of the sightless"? Does she really believe that blind people
>>>>>>>> go
>>>>>>>> through life "bumbling" their ways around or did she just
>> irresponsibly
>>>>>>>> promulgate the pitiful stereotype in an effort to sell your
>> newspapers
>>>>>>>> like the Foundation Fighting Blindness did to sell themselves and
>>>>>>>> selfishly generate revenue with no concern about the social
>> consequences
>>>>>>>> of their actions?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The belief that blind people are endowed with heightened
>>>>>>>> senses
>>>>>>>> and special powers is a myth. Blind people simply learn to use their
>>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>>> senses and alternative techniques to perform the tasks sighted
>>>>>>>> people
>> do
>>>>>>>> with eyesight. Like any skill, these techniques are generally not
>>>>>>>> acquired
>>>>>>>> in a half-hour nor mysteriously and supernaturally endowed. However,
>>>>>>>> these
>>>>>>>> skills enable blind people to function independently, efficiently,
>> and
>>>>>>>> effectively. In fact, the average blind person can perform the same
>> tasks
>>>>>>>> as their sighted peers as well, if not better, by employing these
>>>>>>>> alternative techniques. Our blindness is not the problem. The real
>>>>>>>> problem
>>>>>>>> of blindness is the misunderstanding and lack of information that
>> exists.
>>>>>>>> If a blind person is given proper training and opportunity,
>>>>>>>> blindness
>> is
>>>>>>>> only a physical nuisance.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> In the future, when your paper is doing a story about
>>>>>>>> blindness, it would be helpful to get accurate information and the
>>>>>>>> perspective of a blind person who is qualified to speak to these
>> issues
>>>>>>>> by
>>>>>>>> being chosen by the blind to speak on their behalf. The National
>>>>>>>> Federation of the Blind is the oldest and largest organization of
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> blind in the United States. We are not an organization that speaks
>>>>>>>> on
>>>>>>>> behalf of the blind; we are the blind speaking for ourselves. For
>>>>>>>> accurate
>>>>>>>> information about blindness or the blind, please feel free to get in
>>>>>>>> touch
>>>>>>>> with me or visit one of our websites at
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> HTTP://WWW.NFB.ORG
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Or
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> HTTP://WWW.NFB-NAGDU.ORG
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Respectfully yours,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Marion Gwizdala, President
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> 813-598-7161
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> President at NFB-NAGDU.ORG
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> blindtlk mailing list
>>>>>>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>> blindtlk:
>>>>>>>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/gwunder%40earthlin
>> k.net
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> blindtlk mailing list
>>>>>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>>> blindtlk:
>>>>>>>
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>> sightbb.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
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>>>>>> 07:33:00
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
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>> gov
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> blindtlk mailing list
>>>>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> ----
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>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>>> Version: 8.5.436 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2736 - Release Date:
>>>>> 03/11/10
>> 07:33:00
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>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindtlk:
>>>>
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>> sightbb.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>>
>>>
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>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>> Version: 8.5.436 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2736 - Release Date: 03/11/10
>> 07:33:00
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>>>
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>>
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