[humanser] Letting them know you're blind

[Peacefulwoman89 at cox.net]

I think you nailed the underlying problem, the comfort level of the other individual toward your disability. I am guessing that your professors do not encourage interns to disclose sexual orientation or ethnicity. I wonder if you can probe a little and inquire why he/she thinks it is necessary for you to disclose your blindness. 

Lisa Irving  
-----Original Message-----
From: HumanSer <humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Miranda via HumanSer
Sent: Tuesday, May 1, 2018 8:56 PM
To: Human Services Division Mailing List <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Miranda <knownoflove at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [humanser] Letting them know you're blind

Hi,
I just want to say how much I appreciate this topic. I myself have considered coming to the list this very question. As a social work student, I have been heavily encouraged by a professor in a groups course to consider disclosing my blindness to future clients. I have also been encouraged to disclose to agency personnel prior to field placement interviews. As these topics are related, I appreciate reading the responses thus far.
I’m not sure how I feel about disclosing to clients just yet. I appreciate the perspective given, as it has been pointed out that one would not generally disclose race/ethnicity, other disability or mobility aid being used, etc. I really don’t understand why cited individuals feel like blindness is any different. I do see how context would play a part in the decision of whether or not to disclose. I think I may have read an article recently about choosing to disclose personal information based on if it would benefit the client. If I can find it, I will certainly send the link as it may be beneficial to the list membership as a whole. Upon further reflection, I wonder if the comfort level or lack there of of the supervisor (or professor in my case) is truly being exposed with such a recommendation. I feel that if we are to treat our clients with dignity and respect and allow them self-determination, we too should be afforded the same rights, without feeling our decisions are being so heavily influenced by the perceptions or opinions of cited superiors.
thank you again for starting this discussion, and have a wonderful week!

Best wishes, Miranda

Sent from my iPhone

> On May 1, 2018, at 6:40 PM, Cheryl Wade via HumanSer <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Greetings, listers,
> 
> 
> Have any of you pondered the idea of letting new clients know that you, as a therapist, are blind?
> 
> 
> In a former job, I used to ask if the person were allergic to or disliked dogs, and then mention I have a guide dog and am blind. I have not used this technique in my new job. I have lost a couple of clients, for reasons I'm not sure about, and my supervisor wonders if  I should make the fact of my blindness known to clients before I meet with them. Perhaps they are uncomfortable? If I do let them know, what might be some good ways to go about doing that?
> 
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> 
> Cheryl Wade, MA, LLPC, CRC
> 
> 
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