[nabs-l] techniques in cafeterias and trays

[Darian Smith]

hey,
  I  have done a few things in this situation; I've  asked someone for
the general layout of the area  and have gone about it from there,  I
have also listened to the sound of people congragating in lines and
have  used those sound cues   to find out where I should be going.
  I think the easiest thing is just to  go with a student who might be
headed in that direction to get to  the line  you  need to get to and
then  ask someone around  as you need about  the lay out of the foods
in relation  to you (bread is in front of you, salid to  the left of
it, salid dressing to  it's left and so-on).   As for holding a trey;
I usually hold the trey on my left side (non-cane using side) with my
arm securing the trey aginst my side and  looping my index finger and
thumb around the cup if I have one.  I can still use my cane in this
way and  I just make sure to clear  the path of travel with my cane as
always.
   Best,
  Darian


On 1/2/10, Ashley  Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Dave,
> Yes there are techniques and thanks for sharing.  As you see though some of
> us have trouble with it.  Someone said the tray wobbles and if the tray is
> heavy this is a problem.
> I tried the second way of sliding your arm under the tray and placing the
> tray on top  of your arm.  This didn't work for me because one side did not
> have stability.  The tray fell down.  Fortunately, I was practicing and the
> tray was empty.
>
> I have tried the first way and it works a little better for me.  Its hard to
> describe what to do, but there are probably several ways.  So if you all
> have ideas share them.
>
> Ashley
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David Andrews" <dandrews at visi.com>
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2010 9:06 PM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] techniques in cafeterias and trays
>
>
>> Actually, there are techniques a blind person can use to safely carry a
>> tray, and still use a cane.
>>
>> One method involves kind of wrapping your arm around the tray along its
>> edge, and pressing the other side against your body, and holding it that
>> way.  Your hand can also extend past the edge of the tray, into they tray
>> where it can hold your drink for stability.
>>
>> Another method involves making your arm into an angle and setting the tray
>>
>> on top of your arm.
>>
>> I probably aren't explaining very well, but it can be done with practice.
>> It is something most of us as blind people are nervous about in one way or
>>
>> another.
>>
>> Dave
>>
>> At 09:24 AM 1/2/2010, you wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>
>>>It is okay to ask some one to help you carry the tray in my opinion
>>>because it wobbles and it can tip over very easily. You can not carry the
>>>cane and control the try safely. It is very hard to do this with out
>>>spilling. Stay warm from all the wind.
>>>
>>> > From: bookwormahb at earthlink.net
>>> > To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> > Date: Fri, 1 Jan 2010 22:55:28 -0500
>>> > Subject: [nabs-l] techniques in cafeterias and trays
>>> >
>>> > Hi all,
>>> >
>>> > How do you handle cafeterias? If your university is like mine,
>>> and most are standard setups, you have various stations. For instance
>>> mine had an entree line, grill, sandwich area, salad bar and more. Did
>>> you have an employee help you? I chose to do that since it was most
>>> efficient. We walked to the various places and they told me the food and
>>> I selected what I wanted.
>>> >
>>> > Do you carry your own tray? I always struggled with that; its
>>> hard to balance and keep level. A mobility instructor showed me but its
>>> hard; always seems to wobble in my hand. I either place my hand across
>>> the tray or under the tray and grasp it from underneath. I usually opt
>>> for someone to carry it.
>>> >
>>> > Happy New year!
>>> > Ashley
>>
>>
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