[nabs-l] advice

Briley Pollard brileyp at gmail.com
Mon Mar 22 20:42:28 UTC 2010


I echo Jedi's sentaments on this. It is a harsh reality, but it is either you carry a cane, or risk not acquiring information you need. In the end though, accepting this and embracing it will only be liberating on many levels. It is difficult though, and I don't think anyone is saying it won't be.

Best,
Briley
On Mar 21, 2010, at 10:33 PM, Jedi wrote:

> forgive my candor as I mean what I'm about to say with all due respect. Most blind and visually impaired people who don't carry canes are attempting to pass as sighted. However, most also find themselves with similar problems to your own and wonder how they can maintain their appearance of being mostly sighted and yet deal with the fact that they are not. The reality of your situation is that, unless you're willing to say you're illiterate or learning disabled, there isn't any way for you to stay in the closet as it were and still get the information you need. As I see it, you have two choices: you can verbally identify yourself as a blind or visually impaired person and ask them to identify themselves based on the fact that you can't read their tag, or non-verbally identify your need by carrying a cane or wearing a tag that says "blind" or "visually impaired" on it. I assume you wish to conduct yourself with dignity, so I highly suggest you consider carrying a cane. I don't blame you if carrying a cane brings fear that people will treat you differently. Unfortunately, they will. However, your own comfort with your vision impairment will eventually rub off on people to the point where they will treat you as a colleague rather than some interesting display. This process is far easier than wondering what the best way of meeting your needs without coming out is. As I said, please forgive my frankness; I have been in this situation myself and can honestly find no better way to assist you than to be completely straightforward with you.
> 
> Respectfully,
> Jedi
> 
> Original message:
>> Hi List!
> 
>> I have run numerous times into the same dilemma and I am convinced this
>> dilemma will become more and more of a problem as I move on in my career,
>> unless I do something about it, which is why i am posing this problem to
>> you:
> 
>> Recently I went to a meeting of a professional organization here in DC. Not
>> surprisingly, each of the attendees were given name tags with one's name and
>> either place of work or study to wear during the event, to help initiate
>> networking. I am partially blind, and don't feel the need to carry a cane
>> with me. However, I can't see other people;s name tags, and can't comment or
>> respond to what is written on them. i would like to be able to ask peopel
>> who they are and where they work without looking liek I can't read. has
>> anyone perfected a introduction by which they can do this?
> 
>> I would appreciate any thoughts.
> 
>> Sincerely,
>> --
>> Kathryn CARROLL
>> American University
>> 631 521 3018
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