[Blindtlk] the handling of Dining in the Dark events re: [blindtlk] fw: MIRA Foundation

[Mike Freeman]

Chris:

Let me answer why we think "Dining in the Dark" events are, at best, mickey-mouse and, at worst (most definitely), harmful to the struggle of the blind to be perceived as normal, first-class, competent members of society by asking you a series of questions:

(1) How long did it take you to learn to cut various kind of meat competently? Did you learn and become a steak-pro without training in one one-hour session?

(2) Did you pour liquids competently without tutilage?

(3) If the I Can Foundation were to propose a "Woodworking in the Dark" event, would you sanction a blind-folded sighted person using a radial-arm saw without step-by-step training and *close* supervision?

(4) What makes you think sighted "Dining in the Dark" participants would *know* what questions to ask, based solely on a sudden and relatively brief encounter with a sleepshade?

(5) Why do you and many others feel compelled to *show* sighted persons what it's like to be blind? After all, unless they go blind themselves, they won't need the training. All they need to know is that they should give the blind the chance to prove themselves competent, assuming (as one would for any other member of society) that the blind are competent until they demonstrate otherwise?

(6) Why not conduct the "normal" sort of fund-raising event, e.g., walk-a-thons, candy-bar sales, etc.? Why do something the positively *emphasizes* blindness?

(7) Why not put on a grand meal for the sighted with blind persons doing *all* the meal preparation, allowing the sighted to eat as they normally would and are trained for? This might mean some real *work* on the part of the blind as opposed to wallowing in the "wonder or wail" mentality that we, the blind, are all-too-often prey to?

Take my word for it: "dining in the dark" events are a bad business and if I learn when your event will be, I might consider picketing it!

Mike Freeman


On Dec 13, 2011, at 14:42, Chris Nusbaum <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi everyone,
> 
> I'm just curious; why do you think Dining in the Dark fundraisers promote a negative attitude about blindness?  I only ask because this is not what we in the I CAN Foundation plan to do at all with our Dining in the Dark; quite the opposite.  We want to provide an education about blindness and a glimpse into our world for the sighted participants, and one that focuses on a positive attitude about blindness.  We understand that for many of the sighted participants, it will be their first time doing any task blindfolded, let alone eating a full meal in the dark.  Therefore, it is only natural that they'll have some problems initially and will probably think, "How in the world does a blind person do this? I can't imagine how hard it would be for them." The truth, however, is that eating (or performing any routine task for that matter) is not easier or harder for a blind person than it is for a sighted person, but rather it is just like anything else; it's hard the first time someone tries it.  To get this message across to our participants, we are planning to do two things, which are (1) to have conpetent, confident and successful blind mentors from our area at each table, to answer any questions the participants may have, and to give them tips (although we will leave it mostly up to the sighted person, as we want to do a blindness-simulation,) and (2) to have a sort of de-brief at the end of dinner (probably during dessert,) which will be lead by our blind mentors.  We will talk in this de-brief about the participants' experiences, and what they learned about blindness from this experience.  We will also field any questions they may have about blindness.  All the while we will emphasize the capacity and capabilities of the blind, and that blind people can in fact be independent and competent members of society.  During our past few board meetings when we have discussed planning for this fundraiser, I and our other blind board member have emphasized that we need to handle the event in such a way as to give the participants a positive attitude about blindness rather than a "this was hard for me, it must be unbearable for a blind person" attitude.  This positive attitude about blindness is what the I CAN Foundation tries to promote in all of our fundraisers and educational events, and this is what we're basing our planning and handling of our Dining in the Dark event on.  I