[nabs-l] Out of curiosity

[Kirt Manwaring]

Patrick,
  Very, very well said-although I can understand why a lot of us don't
like the way a lot of activities where people "pretend to be blind"
are handled.  Maybe the specific one you're talking about is better
than the norm-I'll trust you on that.  But, the vast majority of such
exercises I've seen firsthand just, from my observations, increase the
stereotypes a lot of people already have about blindness.  They wonder
how we can do common things and, since they are usually blindfolded
without getting real propper training about how we do them, they leave
with the impression that (a) being blind must be really hard and (b)
those of us who manage to live independently must be extremely gifted
because, of course, most people couldn't do it.  We know better, but
that doesn't mean everyone does.  I'm not saying the idea of
blindfolding sighted people is inherently wrong-I've also seen how it
is a benefit if it's handled the right way.  But usually it isn't.
  Just my thoughts.  I do agree with the main message of your last
post.  Too many people look at other groups and condemn them as a
whole when, in reality, they are mostly doing the best they can, as
they see it.  I have friends in the Council- I have friends in the
Federation, the individual people really aren't that different
although policies vary.
  Warmest regards,
Kirt

On 5/8/11, Patrick Johnson <pajohns1 at vt.edu> wrote:
> Group,
>
>     It's a little absurd to compare the NFB with the Foundation Fighting
> Blindness.  The two have distinct missions and attract different
> memberships.  The FFB focuses on the medical and scientific aspects of
> blindness.  Take a look at their web site and the web site of their upcoming
> conference.
>
> http://www.blindness.org/
> http://www.blindness.org/visions/
>
>     As for "Dining in the Dark", yes it is a fund raiser, but it is more
> than that.  The wait staff is completely blind and the food is served in the
> dark.  It is also an opportunity to educate the public.  The wait staff
> instructs the diners on how to orient themselves to their place setting,
> locate, and identify their food and drink.
>
>     To me this is educational and promotes the the vision that the blind are
> capable of living independent and productive lives.
>
>     It is wrong to make blanket comments about other blindness organizations
> such as the FFB.  The NFB, FFB, ACB, and dozens of other organizations whoo
> advocate for the blind are all striving to improve our lives.  Whether you
> or I disagree with a specific policy or goal of a blindness organization is
> completely understandable.  But by making a blanket statement about an
> entire organization makes the speaker  sound uninformed and could alienate
> the listener.
>
> $0.02 worth from someone who is afiliated with both the NFB and FFB.
>
> Patrick
>
>
>
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