[Blindtlk] "Its not safe for someone who can't see"

[Graves, Diane]

Penny,

(big hugs)  First of all, you should never feel that you are over reacting if someone implies that your Abby is unwelcome, or less competent than any other child. I completely understand how you feel. Keep in mind that this is coming from a person who is very much driven by her emotions, (smile) but I will try to step back here and offer a constructive response.

You might simply have responded to the artist that Abby's blindness made no difference in her ability, and that she was no more unsafe than any other child. She just has to employ different techniques to compensate for her loss of vision. You've already said that the artist was "odd," so who knows what she would have said or done. But, it is also my understanding that she wasn't in charge of the enrollments and didn't necessarily have veto power.

I understand that you are no longer interested in the class, but if you were, I would then go enroll Abby in the class, take her, and try to educate by example. If you were turned away, I would then go to a local Civil Rights agency and file a complaint with them. As a remedy to that complaint you might request that the employees of the park and the administrators  undergo some education regarding such discrimination and stereotypes.

There is just so much I want to say here... If you enrolled Abby in the class and weren't sure whether she would be accepted, you might just prepare her a little bit. Just talk with her a little bit about the fact that many people don't understand that blindness doesn't mean that she is less capable, and that they might have these prejudices and might not want her to try. Emphasize the fact that these perceptions are wrong,  and that people sometimes need to be educated, and held accountable when they refuse to be educated. Unfortunately she'll meet with this ignorance throughout her life, and will need to understand how to handle it, while holding her head up high and not letting it stop her. Do you know what I mean?

Even if you don't want to have her take the class now, you might still call the park administrators, let them know what happened, and find out whether this is actually the attitude of the facility, or whether it was just the odd artist talking off the top of her head. I think the park needs to know that this happened, and that it wasn't acceptable.

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
 
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-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Penny Duffy
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2011 9:11 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: [Blindtlk] "Its not safe for someone who can't see"

I am still very upset over this but I want to know what a good response
would be.

Today I had a wonderful visit to an historic site that is part of the
National Park service with my son Sam.  My daughter Abby who is blind is
away this week at the Perkins School.   There was an artist in residence
there.  She was a little odd but i heard her mention that they where having
a class there for children .  the children would make casts of their hands.
 It seemed like a great activity for Abby.

The artist didn't know if there was space or if they where even having the
class (due to no enrollment) really she didn't know anything (there is a
number you call to make reservations)  When I mentioned my daughter who is
blind would really love to go to this class she told me she would NOT
recommend it.  That it was unsafe for blind person and said but your son is
welcome to take part if there is space and its sill going on.  I should have
responded right away  I should have went right to visitor center and
complained.  I was shocked. I am still shocked.  The only reason I didn't
talk to someone there is the day was about my son Sam and having an "Abby
Free" day.  That and honestly I was so taken back by what happened. I spoke
with Sam in the car so he understood that what  was said was WRONG.

I really don't feel this artist was projecting official national park policy
but she is still an employee of the park so she should have just not said
anything.   I would never have mentioned Abby's blindness when making
reservations because I would have seen it has irrelevant.  If its safe for a
sighted child 6 to 11 then it would be safe to a blind child 6 to 11. We are
talking about an art class not driving a car over a single lane bridge over
glass.

We are not really interested in the class anymore (we have a lot of stuff
going on) I am just really upset over comments by this artist.  I have never
had any one say Abby couldn't do anything.  I know there was people who
thought that but no one ever pretty much implied "Your child is not welcome"
  Mind you I am only been dealing with Abby being blind for a year.

I feel I should say something.  I just don't know what is a proper response
and what is me over reacting.
-- 
--Penny
----------
Adventures with Abby - visionfora.blogspot.com
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