[nabs-l] what do you do if you get lost

[Ashley Bramlett]

Hi,
I wanted to respond now that I have a few more minutes.
As I said, usually I try and ask other pedestrians at first. But if I'm 
confused and stop to think, they will usually approach me first. If not, I 
pick someone out and ask them. I have some vision and try and ask someone 
who looks nice; I feel that if they're dressed well, they're probably not on 
drugs or homeless.  So if they have a briefcase or dressed for work, that is 
good. Or in DC or a town, tourists are approachable, but likely do not know 
the answer to your question because they are not from the area.

So I choose D or E if I'm in an area with people to ask.
d: go in to a business and ask someone where you are, or just simply try and 
ask someone on the street for directions
e: try to get your bearings together and find your own way.

These two options sound the best. I was taught to ask questions from my 
mobility instructors.
As one of them said, "your'e not in a forest. There are people around. So, 
don't be afraid to speak up."
I've met many blind people with many different mobility instructors. None of 
them suggested calling the cops!
I really hope that idea is not used much because the last thing we need is 
cops involved rescuing blind people.
I notice that people ask where you're going. Personally, I do not want to 
reveal that. So I ask questions to re-establish orientation. For instance, 
what building is over there and point to the right. Or say, What is the next 
street? What is the next intersection? or What address am I near?

Since I usually cannot read signs, having someone tell me what is around 
helps me get reoriented.


But, I wonder something.
What if you're  traveling in an area with few pedestrians, such as a 
neighborhood? What would you do then?
I suppose you could ask someone if they are pulling into their driveway, but 
waiting for that could be a while.
I think its wise to have a cell phone with you when your out so you can call 
for information or help. Like in my area, you can call a number to see when 
the next bus will arrive. We cannot read signs and the bus schedules, so I 
find this service helpful.
You could also call other people you know for directions, or to pick you up 
if really needed. But, I'd say do not get the cops involved unless you feel 
lost, you are in an unsafe place, and/or people are doing things to you that 
make you feel unsafe.

Ashley
-----Original Message----- 
From: frandi.galindo at gmail.com
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2011 10:44 AM
To: NFB
Subject: [nabs-l] what do you do if you get lost

Ok, bare with me here for a moment, and excuse my language.
When you get lost do you
a: call the cops and ask them where you are, and waste money in the process?
b: wave down a cop when you don’t know if one is near you?
c: wave your hands around and make other blind people look like jak asses in 
the eyes of an already general populous who think blind people are incapable 
of doing anything for themselves?
d: go in to a business and ask someone where you are, or just simply try and 
ask someone on the street for directions
e: try to get your bearings together and find your own way.
I ask this because I know of someone who was tought to do what a, b, and c 
say to do.  I was tought by two outstanding mobility instructors to do what 
d says, and tought myself e.  I want to know what you all out their think. 
I personally think that making blind people look like helpless jack asses 
and wasting money on unesesary calls is pointless.  I’m almost sure most 
mobility instructors would teach their students to do what choice d asks.
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