[nabs-l] living in a sighted world

[alena roberts]

I think that the attitude towards those with disabilities is a
combination of ignorance and prejudice. For the most part I would like
to believe that it is simply ignorance, but I know some people just
don't like those with disabilities because they're different. I am
currently working for an assistive tech company where I feel like I am
teaching my sighted peers something new on a more regular basis than I
should be. I also am helping them with social media, and people say
the dumbest things on twitter, which makes me frustrated. I think the
best thing we can do is educate people as much as possible, and
encourage people to think outside of the box they live in. I am glad
to hear that you had such a good conversation with someone on a plane.
I find that the people who are enquisitive about how I do things tend
to be the most open minded about accepting that people with
disabilities can learn to do almost anything with the right training
and modifications.

On 7/25/09, Teal Bloodworth <tealbloodworth at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello All
>
> Since i have joined a widely discussed topic has been the treatment of the
> blind and visually impaired in society. Recently when flying back from New
> York after recieving my new guide dog i had a very interesting conversation
> with a woman on the plane about this actual problem.
>
> This woman was a very intellegent bilingual (not sure of her nationality)
> whom i suppose was  handicapped. She shared that she had had extreme
> arthritis since the age of 8 and went through numerous surgeries and years
> of dialisis (sp?). When first boarding the plane she had already been seated
> bulkhead and respectfully asked me if she could pet my dog. Replying with a
> friendly "yes" she informed me of her friend sending her an email informing
> her of how to act around a service dog because of her frequent traveling.
>
>  Later in the flight since it was long (new york to memphis) we started a
> conversation about the ACB and NFB. She seemd very well informed however i
> told her the main differences. The ACB focuses more on changing the world
> for us, and the NFB has a more realistic approach to the world since we are
> the minority in helping us adapt to the world. She actually made a very good
> point that it would be good for the two to work together and create a happy
> medium, however she doesnt know the controversy between the two. This
> actually seemed like a good idea when we started talking about the change of
> money. Word is that the ACB is going to change either the size or the color
> of the bills. This is more like foreign money and seems useful to some but
> it is just as useful to ask what the order of your change is and folding the
> bills or putting them in the appropriate place. We said that it would be a
> good idea even for the two to work together and keep the bills the same
> size/color but maybe making them tactile?
>
> This flight was interesting and this woman made me feel the least
> uncomfortable and unworthy that anyone sighted has done in my 2 1/2 years of
> darkness. Also this brought up the previous topic on discrimination or
> ignorance. This is a very fine line and my current thoughts are this. When
> we are walking on the street and someone doesnt "think you can do this"
> maybe they are not informed of our capabilities. Also even something i have
> said on here before about a landlord not calling me back because of my
> blindness....perhaps they felt i was a liability issue because i was more
> likely to be injured? is there really any actual hate towards us because of
> our physical disadvantage? Or is it simply lack of knowledge? People may not
> know of the many things that are available to us so that we can gain
> independence and sense of self sufficiency because not even i knew of these
> before i needed them.
>
> And as for another question on guide dogs they are allowed anywhere the
> general public is allowed and no you do not have to pay extra fees for pets
> because they are not pets.
>
> If anyone has any thoughts, feelings or comments i would love to hear them.
>
>             -Teal
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-- 
Alena Roberts
Blog: http://www.blindgal.com/