[Blindtlk] Navigating Cafeteria Lines

[David Evans]

Dear Kelby,

Here are some tips I have found useful.
Ask someone to give you a description of the layout of the area and maybe 
walk you around the first time so you can get an idea of the arrangement of 
the room, the lanes and the locations of such things as the soda machines, 
the salad bar, the entrees and so on.
Use a tray if you can and you can likely slide it along the food serving 
tables as you find what you want and place it on the tray.
I always lead the tray with one hand to keep from running the tray into 
other people's trays and so I do not push the tray off the end of the slide 
and on to the floor.
If I can, I try to follow another person and I may even engage them in 
conversation and use this to give me clues as to when to move up or which 
way to turn and when.
  I might even ask them for some help if I need it.  Never be to proud to 
ask for help if you need it.
When I carry a tray, I place the heaviest objects closest to my hand nearest 
me.  This lets me balance the tray and the load on it better and keep it 
under control.
I generally hold my cane in my right hand and also one side of the tray.  I 
can still swing my cane to help me find my way and keep a balance on the 
tray.
Finding a place to sit can sometimes be a challenge, but I ask other people 
if there is an open seat in the area and generally do okay.  I sometimes ask 
the casher if there is a seat nearby and to give me some rough directions.
I always carry my own food, but I ask for help when I feel I need it and 
conditions warnt it.
I am sure that there are many other tips out there.  I never had anyone show 
me how to do it and just had to figure it out for myself.
Use caps or covers on drinks when ever you can to cut down on spills.  I 
usually place my drink next to my left hand, at the corner of the tray, so I 
can place a finger on it to help keep it from sliding and spilling.
  I hope others have some tips that help you out also.

David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
Nuclear/Aerospace Materials Engineer
Builder of the Lunar Rovers and the F-117 Stealth Fighter

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary Wunder" <GWunder at earthlink.net>
To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, August 08, 2011 12:39 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Navigating Cafeteria Lines


> Hi Kelby. You may get some answers here, but you might also try posting to
> the blind student's list.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Kelby Carlson
> Sent: Monday, August 08, 2011 9:23 AM
> To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Blindtlk] Navigating Cafeteria Lines
>
> Hey, list.
>
> I'll be starting college mobility soon, and one of the things I
> am wondering about is navigating cafeteria lines.  I haven't done
> this much in high school (I brought my own lunch.) Have any of
> you worked out ways of navigating the lines in the cafeteria that
> don't require a ton of sighted guide? How do you get information
> on items away from the main buffet line?
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/drevans%40bellsouth.net