[nabs-l] Handicaped parking

[Bill]

Jim,
The biggest problem with that argument is that it assumes that society is
static while it most definitely is not.  Many of these laws were created in
the early 90's, and therefore it has been almost 20 years, a whole new
generation.  If we take on the task of changing the minds of the young
adults and children, society will view us differently.  If we run around our
college saying we need to have parking close to the building, then the
future policy makers will have that in mind.  As many here have stated, we
are able to walk while others of different fortune can not.  If you act like
an equal, aka, paying full fees for parks and public transportation, parking
in standard parking, then we are more likely to be treated as equals by
those who witness this.  You mention the white cane is the thing most likely
to not get us a job, why do you think this is?  Because they see the special
treatment we get and think, maybe subconsciously, that we are less capable.
It is not the fact that we are blind that does not get us the job, it is the
employer who maybe cannot see how we might do the job, or may think that she
needs special treatment by the government, therefore I’m going to have to
provide special things that might cost my business money.  The NFB says the
problem is not blindness but the lack of understanding that is the problem.
The last thing I have is that you say society makes the laws; we are part of
said society, so let’s change the laws.
Bill, VP
Oregon Association of Blind Students
cassonw at gmail.com


On Fri, May 15, 2009 at 11:25 PM, Jim Reed <jim275_2 at yahoo.com> wrote:

>
>
>
>
>
>
> Dave,
>
>
>
> We must not forget that government, and the laws it produces,
> are not something separate and distinct from the society the created the
> government
> in the first place. Laws represent the will of the people, not the will of
> the government.
> A government is a non-human entity; as such, it can not have a will of its
> own.
> Therefore, by default; acts of the government must be viewed as the will of
> the
> people.  Keep this idea in mind as I
> proceed with the rest of my argument.
>
>
>
> You said, “…if society thinks we need special treatment,
> perks etc., then it isn't going to treat us as equals.” First, it is not a
> matter of “if thinks we need special treatment,” society has already
> made that decision. Second, through the passage of disability laws, society
> has
> already judged us as unequal, thus needing special protection and
> privileges. Seeing
> as how society has already made this judgment official through the passage
> of disability
> laws, taking advantage of the special treatment provided for in those laws
> can
> hardly make things any worse. Therefore, if it’s to the blind person’s
> advantage to take advantage of a disability “perk,” go for it. Society has
> already made up its mind, and your refusal to accept the perk is not going
> to
> change its mind.
>
>
>
>
> You also said, “If we are regarded as a group that needs to be
> taken care of, needs
>
> special breaks etc. then we won't get equal chances at jobs.” I once again
> refer your attention to the word “if”; we are a group that society has
> deemed
> to need special treatment.
>
>
>
> Using the services and special treatments provided for us by
> society is not verification on our part that we are in anyway inferior.
> Therefore,
> the argument that a blind person’s use of society’s services and special
> treatment somehow reduces their job prospects is irrelevant. Did we forget
> we
> are blind? If anything, it is the white cane that will reduce our job
> prospects.
>
>
>
>
> And actually, it is because of these “special breaks”, that
> a well educated blind person actually has an advantage over a sighted
> person
> when it comes to applying for government jobs.
>
>
> If we really want to change society’s mind about blindness, let’s
> find a totally blind juggler. (Grin) Until then, take advantage of the laws
> society has put in place to improve our quality of life.
> Just my thoughts,Jim
>
>
>
>
> Jim
>
>
>
> Homer Simpson's brain: "Use reverse psychology."
>  Homer: "Oh, that sounds too complicated."
>  Homer's brain: "Okay, don't use reverse psychology."
>
>
> From: David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com>
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] handicap parking
>
> Jim:
>
> The other side of this is that if society thinks we need special
> treatment, perks etc., then it isn't going to treat us as equals.  If
> we are regarded as a group that needs to be taken care of, needs
> special breaks etc. then we won't get equal chances at jobs.
>
> Dave
>
>  Homer: "Okay, I will!"
>
>
>
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