[humanser] Letting them know you're blind

Thu May 3 17:08:19 UTC 2018

No problem.

Actually, I'm sending some of the group's responses to my supervisor, 
including the critical ones.

Cheryl

On 5/3/2018 11:04 AM, Miranda B. via HumanSer wrote:
> Hi Cheryl,
> Lisa was responding to my reply to your original inquiry, in which I noted a professor's very insistent recommendation that I disclose my blindness to field agency personell prior to field placement interviews, and also to my future clients. I'm sorry for any confusion this may have caused.
>
> Best wishes, Miranda
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HumanSer <humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Cheryl Wade via HumanSer
> Sent: Thursday, May 3, 2018 9:13 AM
> To: Lisa via HumanSer <humanser at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Cheryl Wade <wadecher at msu.edu>
> Subject: Re: [humanser] Letting them know you're blind
>
> Lisa,
>
>
> This is not my professor, but my employer. I think she has figured out that I have a lot of anxiety early in my work process. I have to manage a lot of print documents -- something I never had to do in my other two jobs -- and deal with unfriendly software -- as most of us do. I think that creates some nervousness in me.
>
>
> Cheryl Wade
>
>
> On 5/2/2018 3:26 PM, Lisa via HumanSer wrote:
>> 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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