[Blindtlk] Navigating Cafeteria Lines

Tue Aug 9 08:59:38 UTC 2011

We actually teach people in our training centers to ask for what they 
need.  Certainly, we teach them skills so that they will need less 
than they used to, but the point stands.

I still often order what someone else is having at restaurants to 
avoid the accessible menu hassle.  Particularly with menu boards.

I also ask people for directions, for information about layouts of 
cafeterias, and lots of questions about what and where things are.  
It works, as long as I generally assume that the people around me 
don’t owe me anything and I ought not take advantage of their 
willingness to answer overly much.  That is, just because you told me 
what something was doesn’t turn you into my personal assistant.

I generally carry my own tray, though out at a picnic fund raiser I 
was working this weekend, the ground was very uneven and I’d rather 
wished once or twice that I’d accepted the offer made to carry it for 
me.  I almost spilled my drink about half a dozen times!  I didn’t 
because I’m quite able to carry my own.  Besides, as one of the cooks 
I was both aware of the frenzied pace and the effect of leaving the 
service line short a pair of hands.  I managed, I just had to walk 
far more slowly than I otherwise would.  I got the job done without 
spilling but the first drop.

Basically, you do whatever works.  *smile*

Joseph - kf7qzc

On Mon, Aug 08, 2011 at 02:38:15PM -0500, Nimer M. Jaber, IC³ wrote:
>Dave, Gary and all,
>
>My comments stemmed from my experience with a few NFB members who
>believe that asking for assistance when it's needed, even though not
>doing so could result in them doing something foolish or causing pain
>to someone else, is not something they do. It wasn't intended to be a
>negative characterization of the NFB or any other organization, I was
>just basing my statements from experiences.
>
>Thanks.
>
>On 08.08.2011, David Evans <drevans at bellsouth.net> wrote:
>> 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?
>>>
>>>
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>>
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>
>
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>Nimer M. Jaber
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