[nabs-l] Thoughts on the United lawsuit

[Marc Workman]

Joe said,

Filing complaints and taking up lawsuits on issues of inaccessible 
technology is a roundabout way of making workplaces more accessible 
(traveling more feasible?), but does little to change attitudes about not 
discriminating against blind people in the first place.

Marc says,
I'm not so sure it does all that little.  Inaccessible products and services 
discourage, and sometimes entirely prevent, blind people from participating 
in life's daily activities.  I think when sighted people see blind people 
participating in the community, particularly when they are participating 
independently, it goes a long way towards changing the attitudes of 
blindness as tragedy, helplessness, and incompetence.  And these are the 
attitudes that need to be changed if blind people are to reach their 
employment potential.

I've heard you mention employment quite a few times, and I'm wondering if 
you have specific ideas for addressing this issue.  This isn't me saying, 
well why don't you share your bright ideas with us if you don't like the way 
things are going! I agree that employment is probably the biggest issue 
facing blind people; though I also think the 75% number is a bit misleading. 
I would be interested in a break down of the stats.  For instance, What is 
the employment rate for college educated blind people who were blind before 
acquiring their education? And for those who became blind after college? For 
those who became blind in their 50's? 40's? and so on.  I'm not aware of 
available data that answer these questions.  That said, it is still the most 
important issue, and so I'm always interested in any ideas people have for 
addressing it.  A law suit is a fairly practical solution to the problem of 
inaccessible products and services.  The solution to the employment problem 
is much less apparent to me.  So I would be interested in hearing any ideas 
you have.

Best,

Marc
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe Orozco" <jsorozco at gmail.com>
To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 2:54 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Thoughts on the United lawsuit


> Hi Jorge,
>
> I agree with you.  Let's hope a new initiative will come down soon from 
> the
> NFB to address the issue of unemployment.  I could be wrong, but the only
> real step toward targeting the issue this past summer dealt with the
> Randolph Sheppard Act, certainly a great program but not one into which a
> lot of people should feel compelled to enter for the sake of being 
> employed.
> Filing complaints and taking up lawsuits on issues of inaccessible
> technology is a roundabout way of making workplaces more accessible
> (traveling more feasible?), but does little to change attitudes about not
> discriminating against blind people in the first place.
>
> Best,
>
> Joe
>
> "Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves,
> some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."--Sam Ewing
>
>
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