[nabs-l] eHow internet article series on blindness
Arielle Silverman
arielle71 at gmail.com
Sat Mar 23 16:35:05 UTC 2013
Out of curiosity I read the article about teaching blind people ASL.
It advocates teaching babies sign language to aid their communication.
It is true that blind and sighted babies who have a speech delay are
often taught sign language so they can learn to express basic needs
before they are able to express those needs vocally. However, many
blind babies don't have a speech delay andso it is unclear to me why
they would benefit from sign language. Also, the article suggests that
blind children should learn a full ASL vocabulary, and it seems that
by the time they are old enough to learn all those words, they should
be verbal. So it doesn't make a lot of sense.
I do wonder where these E-how contributors come from. Many sound as if
they've never met a blind person and are just doing a school book
report on blindness, reading a few random articles here and there and
then writing up what they see as common points. I do think the most
effective way to counter any harm caused is for us to try to write
articles. The NFB of Utah has set up a whole website called BlindHow,
and maybe we should focus on adding content to their site and trying
to give it a higher profile, or somehow linking it to Ehow. In my
experience, many people who spread misinformation are very unwilling
to admit that they are misinformed and will often get defensive
whenever they are called on it, which doesn't help progress forward. I
am reminded of a NY Times article that came out in 2005 in which a
blind chef job applicant was blatantly ridiculed. I wrote a letter to
the editor in complaint (as did many other Federationists) and was
basically told that since the author didn't "mean" to cause offense, I
"shouldn't" be offended. The editor missed the point entirely. While I
do think we should try to complain, I suspect that we won't be able to
get content pulled very easily, and we will make more of a difference
if we can write good articles instead.
Arielle
On 3/23/13, Misty Dawn Bradley <mistydbradley at gmail.com> wrote:
> Unfortunately, defamation of character and blatant discrimination happens a
>
> lot on the Internet against many diverse groups based on disability, race,
> religion, and other factors. On the Internet, people write freely against
> those they don't think highly of, and it is very noticeable in many places.
>
> The best thing is to refute their claims. Yes, they do have the right to say
>
> what they want due to free speech, but we all also have a right to free
> speech, thus giving us the right to speak out and refute their claims and
> educate people who would otherwise not know the difference between
> stereotypes and reality.
> Misty
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "justin williams" <justin.williams2 at gmail.com>
> To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 10:32 AM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] eHow internet article series on blindness
>
>
>> Yeah, once you are destroying someone's character or the character of an
>> entire group, that is no longer free speech. There are limits. You've
>> got
>> to have evidence and then present the evidence in order to damn someone's
>> character like that, something usually done in a legal proceeding. Those
>> articles are deformation of character. Tjhey portray us in a negative
>> light.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kaiti
>> Shelton
>> Sent: Saturday, March 23, 2013 3:21 AM
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] eHow internet article series on blindness
>>
>> Sophie,
>>
>> I didn't say that we should restrict free speech; all that was meant that
>> there should be some consideration towards the people this negative stuff
>>
>> is
>> written about, (In this case blind people, although I've seen some
>> similar
>> articles about people with other conditions now that I've actually
>> looked).
>> Most sites have a policy which covers nondescrimination or something, and
>> I'd say some of this stuff is definitely descriminatory in the sense that
>>
>> it
>> paints the picture of a blind person as someone who can't do anything for
>> themselves, which we all know is not the case. Someone else pointed out
>> that E-How has a policy regarding the submission of misinformation to
>> their
>> articles, so if they do have this policy in place then they're obviously
>> not
>> following their own guidelines. In short, people can write what they
>> want;
>> but when it effects a large group of others in a negative way then I
>> think
>> that is cause for concern.
>>
>> It wasn't really Helen Keller's fault; she was blind and deaf and did
>> what
>> she had to do. In terms of the spotlight she was also the world's second
>> deafblind person to learn to communicate, so naturally people would find
>> her
>> inspirational or exceptional, many other terms.
>> I think the real issue stems from misinformation in articles such as
>> this.
>> Obviously not all blind people are also deaf, and obviously most blind
>> people do not also require wheelchairs as airports seem to commonly
>> think.
>> I don't necessarily see pointing this misinformation out to E-How as a
>> bad
>> thing or something that would infringe on people's first amendment right
>> considering what was written.
>>
>> On 3/23/13, Sophie Trist <sweetpeareader at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Kaiti, if we restricted people from writing these articles, as stupid
>>> and bogus as they might be, we'd be violating the first amendment.
>>> Free speech can be a double-edged sword in cases like this. As for the
>>> teaching ASL to blind people, that's a common stereotype. This might
>>> sound mean, but I blame Helen Keller for that. Ever since her story
>>> went viral, blindness and deafness have been associated.
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Kaiti Shelton <crazy4clarinet104 at gmail.com
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org Date sent: Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:53:58 -0400
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] eHow internet article series on blindness
>>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> Brandon's last post made my week! I don't think it is right for stuff
>>> like this to be available to give sighted people a false idea of what
>>> blind people are like, but I too have seen many other articles that
>>> don't make sense. (Have you seen the article about the importance of
>>> teaching ASL to blind people yet?) There are plenty of non-blindness
>>> related ones that are total trash to if you just look them up, and
>>> nothing from E-How should be taken seriously. That being said, I
>>> think I'm somewhere in between; I've recognized E-How for what it is
>>> as Brandon pointed out, but I think that there is a definite line
>>> between sensitivity and humor and in this case some of these articles
>>> do cross that line. I know I would probably give someone the whatfor
>>> if they tried to feed me or refused to give me a full glass of Coke
>>> because I'm blind, but it's just a matter of letting E-How know they
>>> should evaluate some of these grossly insensitive articles.
>>>
>>> Brandon: I know people from a music program I attend in the summers
>>> called Braille Beats who actually describe sighted people as "Light
>>> dependent." Your post reminded me of that and captured that idea
>>> perfectly.
>>>
>>> How to manage a day with a Light-ependent person.
>>>
>>> People who have the misfortune of being congenitally dependent upon
>>> light for survival need several accomodations including patience and
>>> understanding from those not afflicted by the condition. In this
>>> article I will present some everyday situations and ways you can help
>>> your light-dependent friend or family member get through the day.
>>>
>>> Driving in the car going somewhere: When the person complains about
>>> the bad driving of others, simply smile and distract him/her from the
>>> road rage. Find a topic of conversation which interests both of you,
>>> but still make sure they focus on their personal driving. Be patient
>>> with them, although nothing is really solved by getting mad at other
>>> drivers. They really can't help it sometimes.
>>> Reading their own writing: Another factor of frustration for
>>> light-dependent people is reading their own writing.
>>> Light-dependent
>>> people don't have the advantage of using a system so eligant as
>>> braille where letters are confused not too often, especially when
>>> contractions are used. Because their system is more cumbersome and
>>> they have the poor tendency to write sloppily when rushed they
>>> sometimes can't even read what they've written. They also don't have
>>> access to a refreshable display for their writing, so papers are
>>> frequently lost in the shuffle. This leads to frustration and other
>>> factors such as getting lost on the way to a destination or forgetting
>>> something they needed from the store. Try to be patient and help them
>>> remember what it is they wanted to buy, or perhaps that exit number
>>> they told you they'd need to take off the highway.
>>> In a college dorm at night: Sometimes your roommate may need to stay
>>> up later than you and in order to complete their work they may need a
>>> light. Again, be patient; if noise bothers you plug yourself into
>>> your IPod and try falling asleep to music. If the light is bothersome
>>> try to block it out; if you only have vision from one eye putting that
>>> side of your face into the pillow does the trick wonderfully. Do
>>> this, and be thankful that you don't necessarily need light to read a
>>> book or that you can turn off the screen on your laptop out of
>>> consideration for others.
>>>
>>> Okay, the last one was me grasping for straws, but you get the
>>> picture. I also didn't mean to talk down sighted people; just an
>>> attempt at humor.
>>>
>>> On 3/22/13, Brandon Keith Biggs <brandonkeithbiggs at gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>> Hello,
>>> I'm pretty sure this is a gag, most of their other articles seem
>>> pretty ridiculous as well. I may write an article on how to prep a
>>> room for a sighted person.
>>>
>>> Make sure lights are turned on and not facing toward the door.
>>> Sighted
>>> people don't like walking into dark rooms. They also don't like
>>> walking into
>>>
>>> bright lights, so one needs to find the perfect balance.
>>> Open the curtains if it is day time, even if it is really warm
>>> outside and the AC is on. Sighted people love to have the sun shining
>>> into their house even though it raises the electrical bill. Make sure
>>> print labels on food and appliances aren't covered by anything so the
>>> sighted person can feel comfortable reading the familiar labels. If
>>> there aren't already print labels on something, make sure they are
>>> printed in at least 12 point font with black letters on a white
>>> background. Make sure your TV screen is on and
>>>
>>> make sure your computer screen shows what you are doing at all times.
>>> If you
>>>
>>> wish to be safe, slow down your screen reader so the sighted person
>>> won't feel left out of what you are doing.
>>> If you plan on cooking with the sighted person in the house, make
>>> sure to wear big gloves, because it raises the anxiety level of the
>>> sighted person seeing someone cutting and using hot items without
>>> protection.
>>> If you follow all these instructions, you will be able to interact
>>> with a sighted person comfortably in your house.
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Brandon Keith Biggs
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Josh Gregory
>>> Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 12:58 PM
>>> To: Misty Dawn Bradley ; National Association of Blind Students
>>> mailing list
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] eHow internet article series on blindness
>>>
>>> It's all good, we all make mistakes sometimes, :-)
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>> On Mar 22, 2013, at 3:35 PM, Misty Dawn Bradley
>>> <mistydbradley at gmail.com
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi,
>>> I am sorry, but I meant to say EHow rather than EZine Articles in my
>>> earlier post.
>>> Misty
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "justin williams"
>>> <justin.williams2 at gmail.com
>>> To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'"
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 3:26 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] eHow internet article series on blindness
>>>
>>>
>>> It is important to read their trash. Remember, other people are, and
>>> to their mind, they no things about you. You can more easily refute
>>> them if you have some idea on what people are saying. You can't
>>> advocate without proper information.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Josh
>>> Gregory
>>> Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 3:18 PM
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] eHow internet article series on blindness
>>>
>>> Hi Joshua, you don't want to read their trash, so you say, but you
>>> say that it is important to educate them. I get that, but if you
>>> read it, you can assist in educating them. Doing nothing is not a
>>> good idea here, and when
>>>
>>> I
>>> get a chance in a bit, I'm going to find these articles and see what
>>> they're like.
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>> On Mar 22, 2013, at 3:11 PM, Joshua Lester <JLester8462 at pccua.edu
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> I don't want to read their trash.
>>> If they have something negative to say, I'd usually E-Mail them and
>>> give them my take on the matter, and teach them some old school NFB
>>> philosophy!
>>> Does EHow have a captcha on their contact form?
>>> BTW, the ideas come from the ignorant people that don't know
>>> anything, and have never seen a blind person do anything
>>> independently!
>>> We need to do something, and I posted a suggestion on another thread
>>> that I just started.
>>> Thanks, Joshua
>>> ________________________________________
>>> From: nabs-l [nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of Carrie Gilmer
>>> [carrie.gilmer at gmail.com]
>>> Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 1:56 PM
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] eHow internet article series on blindness
>>>
>>> They are no gag. They are on a well viewed and well shared site.
>>> You
>>> think
>>> we all are not tired? Saying nothing does nothing but allows them to
>>> go on, unimpeded. There was just an article about the real and large
>>> problem of employment discrimination for blind people. Where do the
>>> ideas come from?
>>> how do they go on and on and on? Doing nothing does nothing to
>>> correct or stop. It makes me terribly sad and dismayed to hear "they
>>> are not worth my time". Is correcting even one mind which may affect
>>> a blind person's employment or education worth your time? what if
>>> that blind person is you?
>>> Carrie
>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>
>>> On Mar 22, 2013, at 1:41 PM, Joshua Lester <JLester8462 at pccua.edu
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Those articles aren't worth my time, if they're going to paint a
>>> terrible picture of blindness!
>>> I'm tired of these negative ideas that come from the 16th century and
>>> before!
>>> Blessings, Joshua
>>> ________________________________________
>>> From: nabs-l [nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of Carrie Gilmer
>>> [carrie.gilmer at gmail.com]
>>> Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 1:31 PM
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] eHow internet article series on blindness
>>>
>>> http://www.ehow.com/how_2040980_care-blind-person.html
>>>
>>> There are links on the pages of articles to a good dozen more...one
>>> is also titled "how to feed a blind person"
>>>
>>> What kind of blind person can they possibly be depicting? There is no
>>> distinguishing between a newly blinded person from a major auto
>>> accident practically in a coma or a child with multiple
>>> disabilities, or a 90 year old in feeble health or visually impaired
>>> teenager in good health or a normal person born blind.
>>> The aura of tragedy and burden and superhuman challenge abounds.
>>> Carrie
>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>
>>> On Mar 21, 2013, at 1:00 PM, "justin williams"
>>> <justin.williams2 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Where are the articles?
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Carrie
>>> Gilmer
>>> Sent: Friday, March 22, 2013 9:49 AM
>>> To: Blind Kid Mailing List; National Association of Blind Students
>>> mailing list
>>> Subject: [nabs-l] eHow internet article series on blindness
>>>
>>> Hello all~
>>> I discovered last night a series of articles written and posted on
>>> eHow concerning blindness. they are misleading at best, horrifically
>>> bad perpetuated falsehoods at worst. I had only viewed four of them
>>> last night and had to stop, I was so upset. This morning a friend
>>> pointed out that I was mentioned and partially quoted in another
>>> one! I was completely unaware, and found upon reading it, it is in
>>> the midst of misleading and mixed messages and not an accurate
>>> portrayal from the article or from our life!, I believe it was
>>> pulled from. The same is true for a friend of mine also "quoted" in
>>> the same article! one of the articles is titled "How to set the
>>> table for a blind person", yes, seriously. "How to care for a blind
>>> person"...They are Just dripping with condescending dramatic language
>>> and ideas! They appear to name the NFB (named National Federation FOR
>>> the
>>> Blind)
>>> as a reference!!!!!!!!
>>>
>>> I strongly encourage you to read the articles in the series and write
>>> complaints both individually and as groups, with reasoned argument
>>> specific to false points. There are multiple authors, so letters
>>> naming problems with each article are needed.
>>>
>>> We must get these off the internet.
>>>
>>> Contact for complaint for eHow:
>>>
>>> I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE WHO HAS COMPLAINT OR KNOWS ANYTHING ACCURATE
>>> ABOUT BLINDNESS TO WRITE A FORMAL COMPLAINT TO EHOW!!!! I will be
>>> doing it one for each ridiculous article!! i believe if they get
>>> enough coherent and reasonable complaints they will take these down
>>> permanently...as per their policy on misinformation!:
>>>
>>> Further Information If you have a complaint, you may contact us at
>>> eHow, Inc. Legal Department, 5808 Lake Washington Blvd. Ste. 300,
>>> Kirkland,
>>>
>>> WA
>>> 98033, U.S.A. If you are a California resident, the Complaint
>>> Assistance Unit of the Division of Consumer Services of the Dept. of
>>> Consumer Affairs may be contacted at 400 R Street, Sacramento, CA
>>> 95814 or (800)
>>> 952-5210
>>>
>>> Best,
>>>
>>> Carrie
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPad
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> --
>>> Kaiti
>>>
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>>
>> --
>> Kaiti
>>
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