[nabs-l] Educating staff?

Tue Feb 15 20:00:01 UTC 2011

I agree.
I also like them and would like to find it online; I'll copy and give them 
out; that is what I was talking about: take the blind person sighted guide 
but don't grab them; announce when you are coming into the room; above all 
we are normal people.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Joshua Lester
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 2:49 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Educating staff?

I like those Blindness Courtesy rules. I'd like them in a manageable
format, so I can give them to every sighted person in my hometown. I'm
tired of the same old, same old! Too many people think that I can't
care for myself, because of my blindness. It's about time thoughts
concerning us change. Thanks, darion for posting this. Blessings,
Joshua

On 2/15/11, Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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
>>
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>
>
> --
> 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."
>
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