[humanser] Question about Process of Disclosure of Blindnesswith minors

[Jonathan Franks]

Hello all,
I definitely concur with what has been said. From my own personal
experience in my internship last semester, I would take an appropriate
amount of time briefly explaining my blindness and the best strategies
that would work with my interaction with my client. Whether it was if
they were shaking their head to instead utter a verbal response or if
I were to speak with them directly to keep a level of eye contact to
the best of my ability. I believe that ist is of the utmost importance
to maintain integrity and confidence and awareness when working with
clients of any ages. One of the biggest fears I have heard from other
human service professionals or those who are in training that are
blind is that their clients will not take them seriously. By showing
this level of integrity and professionalism, it will help erase this
misconception and especially with clients who are minors since I
believe that their generation is more accepting and impressionable.

Hope this helps

Jonathan Franks
Board Member
National Federation of the Blind of Texas
On 3/1/16, Mary Ann Robinson via humanser <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi Sarah,
>
> I agree with Merry and Ginny.
>
> Mary Ann Robinson
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Merry Schoch via humanser
> Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2016 12:01 PM
> To: 'Human Services Division Mailing List'
> Cc: Merry Schoch
> Subject: Re: [humanser] Question about Process of Disclosure of
> Blindnesswith minors
>
> Hi Sarah,
>
> I disclose  with parent in room.  I first tell them I am blind and without
> taking a breath, so they don't have much time to react, I let them know to
> use words instead of knodding their head; then humorously I say if I have a
> funny look on my face that is usually your clue to use your words.  After
> that statement there is laughter and we move past the issue of blindness.
> I find that kids usually don't have an issue asking questions if they are
> curious.
> Hope this helps.
> Merry C. Schoch
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> humanser mailing list
> humanser at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> humanser:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/brightsmile1953%40comcast.net
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> humanser mailing list
> humanser at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> humanser:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/jfranks%40nfbtx.org
>


-- 
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create
obstacles between blind people  and our dreams. You can live the life
you want; blindness is not what holds you back.