[nabs-l] Working with the public

Tue Mar 29 22:59:30 UTC 2011

Bridget,
Thanks for your experience. I do use braille and like the idea of making a 
removable label on a stack of papers.  Paper clipping will allow me to use
the label over again.  Yes GPS only does outdoors; so I guess I'll need to 
memorize information.
How about phones?  I will have the extentions on the computer. But do you 
think I should memorize some of them?
Do you think I'll need to label some phone buttons?
I decided since I'm intraverted, I'm most likely working with the public but 
not in person; I will
be answering phones and emails among other projects. Thanks for your 
suggestions though on telling who is coming up to you.

Thanks.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 6:39 PM
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nabs-l] Working with the public

Ashley,

With my freelance writing, I often work promo events, which can be
crowded with lots of traffic, and with my public relations internship, I
am dealing with situations that may involve public appearances
especially since I do a lot of the speaking for my team.

I can see shadows and movement, but it really doesn't help in terms of
using vision.  I am totally blind, for all intensive purposes.

When standing behind a desk or table, it is quite easy to know when
people approach you.  Often the sound is different, or they make some
audio cue like clearing their throat, tapping fingers, touching any
brochures or material, and of course talking.  If you think someone is
there, speak up, and if not, it is not a big deal.

Braille, if you use it, is your best option for labeling information.
If you have stacks of different literature, simply tape, paper clip,
staple or rubber band Braille labels onto the top piece of literature,
or place them in a folder with the label.  This is quick, simple and
cheap.  I have a double-sided slate, or Janus as they called them in
Iowa (look it up!  *smile*) and this is perfect for making quick labels.
I carry it with me everywhere.

When I do promo events, we have tons of literature on our table which I
will make sure to organize in stacks as well as label.  This is good for
quick retrieval and it just looks nice.  We also usually have products
to hand out like water bottles or tote bags or food.  Again, I arrange
them in an organized fashion, and I have them ready to hand out.

We do promo events in different locations throughout the city so I try
to understand the basic layout as well as what is immediately around me.
Bathrooms are important to know for yourself and others.

I could be wrong, but a GPS will not provide directions for indoor
locations.  GPS's give directions for streets and addresses, but to my
knowledge, they have not advanced yet to determine directions inside
buildings.

You will need to be familiar with your work environment so you can
provide directions.  Perhaps you can create a cheat-sheet of sorts for
directions, but you will have to spend a little bit of time learning
your work space especially if you will be giving directions.

Also, it is okay to say you don't know, but can look up the information.

If you will be working with a computer, obviously you will need to
install any adaptive software you use.  Employers are required to allow
this, though I don't think they have to pay for it, but I could be
wrong.

Working with the public is quite easy and fun.  Once you acclimate
yourself to your environment, you will find it is not that difficult.

I do not recommend purchasing expensive technology since cheaper options
exist that are just as reliable.  And definitely do not rely on
technology if you have access to it since technology can, and will,
fail.  If you use technology for anything, have a back-up prepared so
you are never at a loss.

My NFB chapter does lots of activities where we are working with the
public.  We rarely have anyone sighted with us, and we pull it off every
time, including handling money.

And if you use a cane, keep it with you at all times since this can act
as an indicator for people to recognize you are blind.  Not everyone
will get it, but many people will notice the cane and understand you are
blind.  This can help for those situations when you do something like
not know a person is standing nearby.

Just be confident, and remember, everyone makes mistakes, so don't freak
out if you aren't perfect.  I'm still learning this lesson too.  *smile*

Bridgit

Message: 3
Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:34:16 -0400
From: <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [nabs-l] working with the public
Message-ID: <17C485CF79594FBC86702AE7EFDE3C1C at OwnerPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Hi all,
I?m really hoping to volunteer and work with the public at a county park
or the national park or possibly a museum.  I want to build some
experience and do outreach activities; I like to help people.

Have you worked directly with the public? If so, how was it?
What challenges did you encounter?  Did you supply accomodations or did
the agency you ?worked"? for supply them?
How do you handle the information desk where people just come up and ask
questions?
They probably will not know I?m blind and with my tunnel vision I may
not see who is there.

So did you figure out techniques to know people were coming up to you?
Any cues you listened for?  I figured that most will just speak right
when they come up to the desk; after all they want information!  But in
case they don?t, I?d like to be able to greet them.

I?ll probably work with another staff member or volunteer at first while
training; but I want them to have confidence in me I can handle it on my
own.
How do you handle papers that they fill out or you have to desiminate?
What I mean is they might have to sign in or something. I might be
required to answer questions and hand out brochures, pamphlets, or other
matterial.  How can I ensure I am giving out the right information?

Maybe I should just label the stack in braille? What about identifying
people?  Do I just ask and take their word for it?  I doubt they will
need to track who comes up to the counter and asks this or that.
But just in case, I?m wondering.  If I work at the visitors? center or
museums they will already have gone through security so that isn?t an
issue
What do I do about looking up information?  A sighted person may skim
through a book or something.
Do I try and get that in accessible format and do it electronically?
What about giving directions?  Often visitors ask this.
I cannot see a map.  So do I just verbalize directions and hand them a
map?  A sighted person would probably point to a map while explaining;
that is what I?ve seen happen in public settings with my parents.

Thanks for any ideas.
Ashley

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