[nabs-l] Philosophical Terminology

[Domonique Lawless]

Hi Karen and Listers,
I remember meeting a few people when I was younger who told me that
when they attended NFB training centers they were given personal tools
to build their self confidence up in order to be able to say without
shame that they are blind.  I also , know people today who can barely
see a foot in front of them and  who struggle so hard to read print
say that they are only visually impaired. Personally, I  really don't
care for the words visually impared. In my opinion its  an excuse for
people to avoid the word blind because its scarry and there are
unfortunate stereotypical implications that come with it. However,
throwing in the words visually impaired  gives people who don't
consider themselves blind a chance to learn about the NFB and its
philosophy without feeling  like they are being alienated for not
calling themselves blind. Hopefully  when they learn about our
philosophy and have the opportunity to meet  competent  and successful
blind people they will learn that it is okay to call themselves blind.
I hope this helps!!

Best Wishes,
Domonique

On 11/5/08, Antonio Guimaraes <aguimaraes at nbp.org> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I think it is important to recognize that not every person will identify
> themselves as blind. It is difficult to comprehend why a young elementary
> school student would resist braille just because she can see 5 feet in front
> of her face. Yet, I've seen this happen, and witnessed people, professionals
> in the field, parents, and those who should know better, avoid the child's
> resistance to learning braille.
>
> Do we drill into the student that they are blind, and will be blind, and
> that there is no way to avoid it? Or, do we invite that person into a group,
> where they can learn the philosophy that it is respectable to be blind?
>
> At what point do we give up our long held beliefs? I hope that we do not
> give them up. I also think that opening up the door by allowing a more
> diverse language, we participate in the blindness field without the militant
> perception.
>
> Just my 2 cents worth.
>
> Antonio Guimaraes
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Karen Anderson" <kea_anderson at cox.net>
> To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: <nebraska-students at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 2:48 AM
> Subject: [nabs-l] Philosophical Terminology
>
>
> Hello all,
>
>
>
>             I was looking around on facebook and noticed several new groups
> for students affiliated with the NFB. And I must say, several of them look
> really interesting. However, I have one concern. Since joining the
> federation it has been my understanding that we encourage everyone, whether
> they are a high partial or totally blind, to consider themselves blind. Our
> taglines are things like, "Changing what it means to be blind," and "Voice
> of the Nation's Blind." Yet more and more frequently I find other terms
> showing up in our literature. The term "visually impaired," is used in the
> group descriptions for both The NFB Café and Blind 411. I believe one of our
> greatest strengths, one of the things that sets us apart from other
> organizations, has always been that we do not divide people into categories
> based on how much vision they have. We believe that those with no vision at
> all can be just as successful as the highest partial. It seems to me that
> using terminology such as "visually impaired," and "low vision," changes
> that, and I fail to see what good can come from that division.
>
>             I am extremely interested to see what the list, and particularly
> the members of the NABS board, have to say about this issue.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Karen
>
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