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

Thu Jul 28 14:22:51 UTC 2011

Penny, it is a great class for her. What it appears you have, is an artist who has no idea how a blind person could do her class. She needs education. If you, or someone in your area has the time, contact the park, and find out who is coordinating the program. Explain the problem, and offer to do some training. It is more work than a complaint, but worth it. Also, you might get her in touch with Anne Cunningham if Colorado (you may have seen her work at national convention, or the national center) who does a lot of tactile art. Sometimes an artist will respond better to another artist.  Great job talking to your son about the whole thing too. Hang in there, and keep helping to change attitudes.

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Penny Duffy
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2011 8:49 AM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] "Its not safe for someone who can't see"

Thank you everyone.  I thought I had posted this in blindkid and not here but I like your imput too.  It actually is good.  I wanted to say the reason I mentioned my daughter was blind was because I was excited.  It seemed like a perfect class.
On Jul 28, 2011 9:41 AM, "Graves, Diane" <dgraves at icrc.in.gov> wrote:
> 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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