[il-talk] Positive advocacy

[Kelly Pierce]

Robert,

Congratulations. I used to have the selfish feeling at one time long
ago. Yet, several ideas guide me now that limit this thinking. First,
blindness is a low incidence disability, particularly for those
younger than 65.  It is rare to find accommodations a single
organization can provide that will benefit more than a handful of
blind people. Yes, I may be te only one asking for something, even
though other blind people are served by the organization. Maybie they
don’t need it, aren’t as independent, don’t want it, or are
uncormfortable asking. Whatever the reason, I’ve gotten used to being
the only one.

Second, unlike infrastructure improvements such as ramps for
wheelchair users, our accommodations often last for a short period of
time.  This is because our access needs are often about technology and
information.  Technology changes rapidly and often and information has
a short shelf life.

Third, our accommodations are relatively inexpensive compared to folks
with other disabilities.  Compared to the costs of sign language
interpreters, building retrofits, and assorted helpers for other
folks, our accommodations can be done rather effectively at modest
cost.

Fourth, I ask for solutions rather than identify problems, making
resolution easier.

In general, I have become used to asking for things, scaling my
request in proportion to the organization and its resources.

Kelly




On 3/7/13, David Meyer <datemeyer at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> Robert,
>
> It is great that you spoke up about this issue and it is great that
> positive
> steps are being taken to resolve it.  Had it not been for your thoughtful
> actions, there is a good chance that nothing would have been done.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: il-talk [mailto:il-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Robert A
> Hansen
> Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2013 10:19 AM
> To: il-talk at nfbnet.org; iabs-talk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [il-talk] Positive advocacy
>
> Good morning all.
>
> As you all know I attend NEIU.  We have some accessibility issues with some
> of the wireless printers.  Last week I spoke up about it.  I wrote the
> director of the disability center and voiced my concern about this matter.
>  Because I took a proactive stand with this issue, the issue isbeing
> resolved. I sawthe director of the disability center this morning. Speech
> will be on one of the printer scanners. That is a positive step in the
> right
> direction.  A year or more ago I would have beeb too selfish to speak up.
>
> Robert, Advocate in training
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Sent from Samsung tablet
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