[Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the Dark"
Aziza Cano
daydreamingncolor at gmail.com
Sun Mar 14 18:49:26 UTC 2010
If you don't think your comments were rude or insulting, perhaps you should
reconsider the definitions of those words. Comparing someone to a floor is
pretty insulting in my opinion.
Aziza
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gloria Whipple" <fairyfoot at webband.com>
To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 7:04 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the Dark"
> Who is being rood?
>
> I wasn't rood to Steve. I just said my opinion just like everyone else. So
> if that is rood, so be it.
>
>
> 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 Jewel S.
> Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 6:37 AM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Letter to the Editor Concerning "Dining in the
> Dark"
>
> 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
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>
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>>> ----
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>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>> Version: 8.5.436 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2736 - Release Date:
>>> 03/11/10
>>>>>>> 07:33:00
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> blindtlk mailing list
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>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
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>>>>>>>
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> 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
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>>>>>>>
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>>> sightbb.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>
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>>> ----
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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
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> 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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>>> .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
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>>>>
>>>
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>>>>
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>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
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> 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:
>>>>>>>>
>>>
> 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
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> ----
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> 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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>>>> 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
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
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>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
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>>>
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>>> d.com
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> blindtlk:
>>>
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> 40gmail.com
>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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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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> ail.com
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
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>
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