[Blindtlk] Quick introduction and a question for pet owners

[Anita Adkins]

Hi,

This makes me think of the cases I've heard about where the NFB has helped 
the victims take legal action as a result of someone discriminating against 
us just because they think we can't possibly safely or effectively perform a 
task, such as caring for a child. I do feel bad for the cat. I think you 
should first try talking and explaining to the person who is questioning 
your abilities, which it sounds as if you have done, And, also try talking 
to the individual's superior to try to explain and get them to override the 
decision. For me, the key here is to first peaceably teach others that blind 
people can accomplish their goals using alternative techniques. Next, decide 
whether or not you are willing to take it further, meaning to take legal 
action,  because it certainly is not right for you to be discriminated 
against because you are blind and also it is not right for the cat to die 
just because someone wrongly thinks it won't be safe in your home. Maybe you 
could also try to switch to a different individual at the shelter who might 
be more open about the situation? Anita

-----Original Message----- 
From: Lucy Sirianni via blindtlk
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2014 12:07 PM
To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Blindtlk] Quick introduction and a question for pet owners

Hi all,

      I'm Lucy, a doctoral student and graduate student
instructor in the English department at the University of
California, Berkeley, and a new member of this list.  I wanted to
reach out to this group to ask for suggestions regarding a
situation I'm currently attempting to resolve.  Over the weekend,
I contacted a local animal shelter who had indicated a need for
foster homes for its animals, thinking this would be something
I'd enjoy doing and knowing I met all of the specified
qualifications.  The staff member I talked to initially expressed
a lot of interest and immediately matched me with a cat who
seemed like a great fit with me and who was going to be
euthanized in a matter of days if no one stepped forward to take
her (unlikely, I was told, since she's on the older side).  I was
eager to meet this cat and seriously consider taking her into my
home, but when I happened to mention to the staff member in
charge that I am blind, she became concerned and is now uncertain
of my ability to care for the cat.  Her main concern is that I
may not be able to keep the cat from leaving my house, despite
the fact that I have explained to her in detail the measures I
would take to ensure the cat's safety and assured her that I have
countless blind friends who routinely and successfully care for
animals.  I've told her that I would plan to have a bell on the
cat's collar so I'd consistently know where she was, as well as
my name and contact information so that she could be returned if
she were ever to get lost; I've also suggested that, before
leaving my home, I simply place the cat in a comfortable area
from which she wouldn't have access to the entrance to my
apartment.  This is all in addition to pointing out the rather
obvious fact that vision can't in fact keep a cat indoors and
that sighted pet owners have to deal with similar worries.  I
would welcome hearing from blind cat owners who may be able to
suggest other techniques or allow me to mention their situations
in further conversations with the people in charge at the
shelter.  I'd hate to see this cat end up dying because of
ignorance surrounding blindness.

Thanks, everyone, and I very much look forward to being a part of
this group!

Lucy

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