[nabs-l] Educating staff?

Darian Smith dsmithnfb at gmail.com
Tue Feb 15 19:33:03 UTC 2011


Hello all,
  I have not read  every message on this topic, so please forgive any
rehashing that may take place as a result.
 There is  a  page on the NFB website  dedacated to the  "courtesy
rules of blindness"
 I've pasted the text from that page, and wanted to see what people
thought about  this.  would this be something you would tell someone
about blindness? does this representyour views and feelings, ordo you
have a slightly different view.  Below is  the text.

THE COURTESY RULES OF BLINDNESS
Ten simple, straightforward pointers which encourage sighted persons
to feel comfortable and at ease with blind persons, is also helpful to
know.
When you meet me don't be ill at ease. It will help both of us if you
remember these simple points of courtesy:
list of 10 items
1. I'm an ordinary person, just blind. You don't need to raise your
voice or address me as if I were a child. Don't ask my spouse what I
want—"Cream in
the coffee?"—ask me.
2. I may use a long white cane or a guide dog to walk independently;
or I may ask to take your arm. Let me decide, and please don't grab my
arm; let me
take yours. I'll keep a half-step behind to anticipate curbs and steps.
3. I want to know who's in the room with me. Speak when you enter.
Introduce me to the others. Include children, and tell me if there's a
cat or dog.
4. The door to a room or cabinet or to a car left partially open is a
hazard to me.
5. At dinner I will not have trouble with ordinary table skills.
6. Don't avoid words like "see." I use them, too. I'm always glad to see you.
7. I don't want pity. But don't talk about the "wonderful
compensations" of blindness. My sense of smell, touch, or hearing did
not improve when I became
blind. I rely on them more and, therefore, may get more information
through those senses than you do—that's all.
8. If I'm your houseguest, show me the bathroom, closet, dresser,
window—the light switch, too. I like to know whether the lights are
on.
9. I'll discuss blindness with you if you're curious, but it's an old
story to me. I have as many other interests as you do.
10. Don't think of me as just a blind person. I'm just a person who
happens to be blind.
list end

In all 50 states, the law requires drivers to yield the right of way
when they see my extended white cane. Only the blind may carry white
canes. You see
more blind persons today walking alone, not because there are more of
us, but because we have learned to make our own way.

 Best,
  Darian



On 2/15/11, Alexander Castillo <alexandera.castillo at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Ashley, I would let your fellow staff members know that it's not
> "sighted guide" as many blind people quite often lead blind people,
> and use a phrase like "human guide," as opposed to dog guide, or
> animal guide.
>
> I think you are correct in your approach in saying that we are all
> different. There is no one way of interacting with someone blind, but
> there are more effective ways than others.
>
> For example, if you are going to do human guide, the person following
> should lightly place their hand on your elbow: you should not grab
> someone by the shoulder and lead them.
>
> Your question for me, is one which is always  strange to consider, as
> I wouldn't think of training  fellow staff on how to interact with
> Latinos, unless they were traveling to a particular Spanish speaking
> country and needed to understand cultural differences in etiquette and
> such.
>
> So, is there such a thing as blind etiquette?
>
> I would stick to the basics, Human guide...
>
> What are the typical interactions which your fellow staff members have
> with blind individuals? This might help in determining  the approach
> you  might want to take on when doing this training.
>
> Thanks for reading,
> Alex
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dsmithnfb%40gmail.com
>


-- 
Darian Smith
Skype: The_Blind_Truth
Windows Live: Lightningrod2010 at live.com
Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/goldengateace

"You could be shown the road, given the vehicle, even handed the key.
But only you can have the drive."




More information about the NABS-L mailing list