[nabs-l] Cane as an ID

Fri Mar 15 00:09:54 UTC 2013

Hi all,
I guess I'm not quite getting what the advantage is of an ID cane over
a regular one? With either cane, you are telling the world that you
are blind (or visually impaired or whatever term you want to use). The
ID cane gives you less tactile info than the regular one does. I
totally understand that sometimes you might not need a cane to get
around, but if you're going to use an ID cane anyway, why not just use
the regular one and get a little extra tactile info too? It might not
be necessary but it can't possibly hurt you to use a regular cane
instead of an ID cane. Is there some way an ID cane is more convenient
to use than a regular white cane?
I agree that sometimes it is more convenient to not use a cane at all
because it keeps your hands free. In those cases maybe wearing some
kind of ID symbol would better help with making sure others around you
know you are blind. However I think those situations where you really
need both of your hands are pretty unusual.
Arielle

On 3/14/13, Joshua Lester <JLester8462 at pccua.edu> wrote:
> Kaiti:
> Did you read my posts about "Visually Impaired, Vs. Blind?"
> Basicly for me, I'd rather refer to myself as blind, (I'm totally blind,)
> but I'm not "visually impaired."
> There's a difference between sight, and vision.
> I've talked about that alot on these lists.
> Sight, is natural, (what we lack,) but vision is inward.
> If we didn't have vision, there would be no NFB.
> Vision is like this.
> "Where do you see yourself, in the next 5 years?"
> Using that logic, our vision isn't impaired, but our sight is.
> Let's just refer to ourselves as blind and get it over with.
> Good point Mike!
> Blessings, Joshua
> ________________________________________
> From: nabs-l [nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of Kaiti Shelton
> [crazy4clarinet104 at gmail.com]
> Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2013 2:49 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Cane as an ID
>
> Absolutely on that front.  There is no point of interacting with
> people under false pretenses as if you were sighted... If one is
> worried about social situations due to people thinking they're blind,
> then they might want to think about the possible awkward situation of
> a friend suddenly finding out about something that important that was
> there all along and kept from them.
>
> On 3/14/13, Kaiti Shelton <crazy4clarinet104 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> Mike, that is not how it works at all and I really have a problem with
>> the incinuation that people who identify themselves as visually
>> impaired use that title to get special treatment.  I use my functional
>> vision as well as a cane when I feel it appropriate, and receive
>> accomodations such as braille, electronic format for textbooks, and
>> assistive technology that I need.  I do what I can independently and
>> ask for sighted assistance when I need something read or would like a
>> little clarification on something visual that I cannot see.  These are
>> not "special perks" as you put it.  My personal choice to use VI over
>> blind is that it makes things easier for people to understand.  I have
>> had some situations when I have used the term blind and people assume
>> I can't see anything at all.  This has lead to well-intended but
>> unnecessary superhelping and other consequences.  For me it's much
>> simpler to say I'm visually impaired, indicating that I have some
>> functional vision and giving sighted people a slightly clearer idea
>> about me.  The NFB recognizes these terms "blind, legally blind,
>> visually impaired," as interchangeable, so it all comes down to
>> personal choice.  There is nothing that says one term is preferential
>> over the other and has to be used by everyone.  Afterall, visual
>> impairment is a continuum with varying degrees of blindness, so for
>> some visually impaired is a more accurate descriptor.
>>
>> I think that even if the original poster is slightly preoccupied with
>> the image of being blind then getting an identity cane might be the
>> first step in correcting that.  The more people see it, the more he'll
>> have to answer questions about himself and his visual impairment and
>> get used to it.  Not all, but some visually impaired people have to
>> psychologically ease into being comfortable with identifying
>> themselves in this way and that shouldn't be held against them if
>> that's what they have to do.  Heck, I've even heard partially sighted
>> people speak at state conventions about how they grew more comfortable
>> with their blindness by beginning to associate themselves with the
>> NFB, so it sounds like the poster may be on the right track.  Again,
>> we don't really know the situation; any one of us could be reading
>> something that the poster didn't intentionally mean because that is a
>> side-effect of electronic messages... things often get misconstrued.
>> He never said he didn't want to be identified as blind in order to
>> gain priveledges; he just wanted something to let people know, but he
>> still has enough functional vision to walk without a cane.  I think
>> the wording about walking perfectly may be a little presumptuous, (no
>> one, blind or sighted, walks exactly perfectly because it's
>> anatomically impossible), but like I said this might be a good step in
>> putting blindness/visual impairment/whatever you'd like to call it
>> into perspective.
>>
>>
>> On 3/13/13, justin williams <justin.williams2 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Just use whatever works.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Aleeha
>>> Dudley
>>> Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2013 1:29 PM
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Cane as an ID
>>>
>>> I guess I just don't see the problem with allowing people to interact
>>> with
>>> you as though you are sighted. If for some reason, you can't see that
>>> interaction, then tell them you are blind.
>>>
>>>
>>> On 3/13/13, justin williams <justin.williams2 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> Our fine line is that we are trying to predict, and or control
>>>> people's reactions.  If you do not have a cane with you while walking
>>>> in our country, people probably will not know you are blind.  The
>>>> original poster has every right to not use a cane and rely on
>>>> functional vision. However, the reactions of people can't be
>>>> controlled.  If they don't know he is blind, they will react to him as
>>>> if he is sighted.  It is his choice.  In America, I don't think we
>>>> have a way to not carry a cane, but have everyone know that you are
>>>> blind.
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Aleeha
>>>> Dudley
>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2013 12:43 PM
>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Cane as an ID
>>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>>      I'm going to stick my "oar in" as they say. Kaiti and Mike, I
>>>> think there may be a bit of misunderstanding. I think what is sought
>>>> by the original poster on this thread is an identification symbol,
>>>> something to say "I am blind" that is not as bulky as a cane. I
>>>> definitely disagree with this. What I do not disagree with is using
>>>> one's functional vision when you have it and, if that be your desire,
>>>> to not use a cane if you don't need it.
>>>> What I do disagree with is the concept of wanting the "you poor blind
>>>> person" perks of blindness without carrying a cane, as the original
>>>> poster seems to want. There is a fine line that I think is lost in the
>>> grey here.
>>>> ALeeha
>>>>
>>>> On 3/14/13, Mike Freeman <k7uij at panix.com> wrote:
>>>>> Kaiti:
>>>>>
>>>>> We shall have to agree to disagree. I see no reason to identify as
>>>>> "visually impaired" unless one wishes special help or perks. Why not
>>>>> just be blind and have done with the matter? Much simpler.
>>>>>
>>>>> In fact, I know a guy who was nearly totally blind for many years due
>>>>> to an explosion. He got a good deal of sight back (he's lost it again
>>>>> now) and used his sight to look around, traveling with a cane as he
>>>>> always did; thus, he got the benefit of sight plus didn't have to
>>>>> worry about when he should or should not use a cane, whether to
>>>>> identify etc. etc.
>>>>>
>>>>> Peace!
>>>>>
>>>>> Mike Freeman
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kaiti
>>>>> Shelton
>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 10:32 PM
>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Cane as an ID
>>>>>
>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>
>>>>> I have to disagree here.  As one of those partials who elects when to
>>>>> use and not use a cane, I have a perspective on the issue that you
>>>>> may not be considering.  Electing when and when not to use a cane is
>>>>> not always related to a person being insecure with their blindness;
>>>>> some of the most secure people I know don't use canes all the time.
>>>>> Furthermore, I don't think people who choose to walk familiar areas
>>>>> without a cane some times should give up their right to identify
>>>>> themself as a visually impaired person.  E.G, I would never do any
>>>>> type of pedestrian travel without a cane or think about crossing a
>>>>> street without one, and using one at times when I really can't see
>>>>> like at night or when it's very bright are no brainers, but under
>>>>> normal conditions when I'm walking from my dorm to the cafeteria
>>>>> right across the little street which has no traffic at all and I'm
>>>>> coming right back I don't always choose to actively use it.  My
>>>>> choice to not use a cane in this instance does not mean I should
>>>>> forfit my right to identify myself as a visually impaired person
>>>>> because I am; the use of the cane does not change my inability to
>>>>> read print or to see great distances and it does not change the fact
>>>>> that I am legally blind and am identified that way.  It also doesn't
>>>>> change the level of security I have with my blindness; if a person
>>>>> refuses to use a cane or fights against it because they're afraid of
>>>>> the social implications then that is insecurity, but if they're
>>>>> visually having a good day and want to run a quick errand that's in a
>>>>> very familiar area with minimal travel or risk of injury and they're
>>>>> confident in their ability to use audio cues and the vision they have
>>>>> then that is their choice and doesn't make them insecure with
>>>>> themself or their blindness.  As long as they have the confidence and
>>>>> security to not be afraid of using it and to identify and use it when
>>>>> they need to, to be confident and secure whether they're using a cane
>>>>> or not,  and  don't pose risk to themselves in the cases where they
>>>>> don't use it there is nothing that would suggest insecurity.  We
>>>>> don't know the exact visual situation of anyone on this list unless
>>>>> they've written about it, so I don't think it is fair to judge about
>>>>> someone's level of security with their blindness based on their cane
>>>>> habits when we don't know what their vision is like.
>>>>>
>>>>> Identity canes have saved me from many embarrassing social situations.
>>>>>  Of course when you use it it is a more obvious indicator, but I've
>>>>> had situations when I've been sitting in a classroom or cafeteria
>>>>> with my cane on my desk and someone will try to get my attention
>>>>> using something besides my name.  When they see the cane (or
>>>>> sometimes read National Federation of the Blind on it if they're
>>>>> close enough to see
>>>>> it) they understand why I might not recognize that they're referring
>>>>> to me and they'll get my attention in a more obvious way before
>>>>> getting my name.  Sometimes they ask about the cane which gives me an
>>>>> opportunity to casually explain my vision in simple terms and then
>>>>> the person and I can carry on with the conversation because they're
>>>>> informed and they see that it's not a big deal.
>>>>>
>>>>> And, I have to make one small correction.  The main market for the
>>>>> lighter, more compact canes is the precise group of people who may
>>>>> not use it all the time, and the NFB is obviously aware of this since
>>>>> they are the ones who originated the telescopic design.  Although I
>>>>> do know people who are totally blind or only have light perception
>>>>> that use the telescopic canes they tend to tear through them pretty
>>>>> quickly because they use them so much.  For someone who may not use
>>>>> the cane every single day but still would benefit from having an
>>>>> identifier to let other people know they're visually impaired these
>>>>> canes
>>> are great.
>>>>>  Think of it this way; it would be impractical for someone with mild
>>>>> hearing loss to always use a hearing aid even when they didn't need
>>>>> one.  Similarly, if visually a partial is having a good day and can
>>>>> see well enough to successfully travel, dodging obstacles and not
>>>>> tripping over anything, then it isn't always necessary to use a cane.
>>>>> In fact, the correction I really want to make is that choosing to
>>>>> have an identity cane on-hand is actually a sign of security in my
>>>>> eyes because even if that person may not need to use it by having one
>>>>> for people to see they must be okay with their blindness and
>>>>> comfortable in explaining their visual impairment to others should
>>>>> the question arise.
>>>>>
>>>>> On 3/13/13, christopher nusbaum <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> Amen, Mike! Yes, the king can be used as an identification tool to
>>>>>> alert drivers that you are blind. However, this can be a positive
>>>>>> thing and not a negative one. This is at least true if you use that
>>>>>> identification tool of the cane as a symbol of independence and not
>>>>>> of inferiority.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Just my thoughts
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Chris Nusbaum
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Mar 13, 2013, at 8:33 PM, Mike Freeman <k7uij at panix.com> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hamid:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> With all due respect, it seems to me you're trying to have your
>>>>>>> cake and eat it, too. ON the one hand, you want all the advantages
>>>>>>> of being recognized as blind whereas on the other, you don't want
>>>>>>> to really appear blind or be judged because you do not believe you
>>>>>>> need a cane. My friend, you can't have it both ways. Why do you
>>>>>>> even care whether the public considers you blind or not or whether
>>>>>>> they consider it weird that you might appear to not need a cane?
>>>>>>> Moreover, aren't you under the tacit assumption that blind persons
>>>>>>> who use canes travel sufficiently awkwardly that the public knows
>>>>>>> them as blind whereas you consider that you do not?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Seems to me you have some soul-searching to do.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> We do not have a "blind" id other than the long white cane and most
>>>>>>> of us would not *want* such a label. It's a short step from such a
>>>>>>> label to being prohibited from going places or doing things because
>>>>>>> of the alleged inability of the blind.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Grab that white cane, display and use it proudly!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Mike Freeman
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Hamid
>>>>>>> Hamraz
>>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 3:40 PM
>>>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>>>> Subject: [nabs-l] Cane as an ID
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Dear Folks,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> It is a couple of months I have been investigating a way to
>>>>>>> represent my blindness without making a functional use of cane. To
>>>>>>> be more precise, the target people benefiting are those whose
>>>>>>> residual sight lets them to walk without the use of a cane and who
>>>>>>> want to let the other people around them know about their blindness.
>>>>>>> Carrying a cane is indeed an option.
>>>>>>> However,
>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>> personally think that holding a long cane in my hand without using
>>>>>>> it and walking perfectly is weird in public. In Germany, they have
>>>>>>> a special symbol representing this which can be attached anywhere
>>>>>>> in any size at one's own discretion (and everybody is indeed aware
>>>>>>> of that). However, there is no such a thing here in US, and setting
>>>>>>> that up requires time and educating the society about that.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> My question here is what type of cane I should look for? I need
>>>>>>> something much smaller just to serve as an ID rather than a
>>>>>>> functional tool. I appreciate any suggestion.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hamid
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Kaiti
>>>>>
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>>
>>
>> --
>> Kaiti
>>
>
>
> --
> Kaiti
>
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