[nabs-l] Finding seats VI that does not use cane or dog

[Elizabeth Mohnke]

Hello Suzanne,

I would also suggest using a cane as a means to identify yourself as being 
blind or visually impaired. Although in addition to identifying you as blind 
or visually impaired, the cane could also help you navigate various places 
you find challenging when using your vision alone.

I think the teasing goes away as you get older. However, I am not quite sure 
if this holds true with the notion of others thinking that you can still 
see. I remember hearing someone say this about me because apparently I was 
looking this person directly in the eyes from across the room. I could 
barely make out the general outline of this person given the distance and 
the lighting conditions much less be able to visually identify any details 
of this person. However, nonetheless, the person still questioned my ability 
to see.

I know you can use a cane with a roller bag, so perhaps you can experiment 
to see which technique works best for you. I know you have concerns about 
placing your water bottle in your bag. Have you tried using a smaller 
bottle, and then refilling it at a drinking fountain? Or perhaps you could 
try using one of those water bottles that you can strap on your back like a 
backpack.

I would definitely encourage you to give the cane another try. I really like 
the long NFB white canes because they are so light when compared to other 
canes. If you are interested in trying out one of these canes, I believe 
there is an application form on the NFB website you can fill out to get a 
free white cane.

However, I also understand making the transition to a long white cane can be 
difficult for some people. I know this to be true because it has been 
something I have struggled with in my own life. So if you are still in that 
stage where you are just simply not ready to make this change in your life, 
then perhaps you can just simply ask someone where there might be a chair 
available, and leave the part about being visually impaired out of the 
conversation.

Warm regards,
Elizabe

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Suzanne Germano" <sgermano at asu.edu>
Sent: Thursday, September 19, 2013 2:12 PM
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [nabs-l] Finding seats VI that does not use cane or dog

> I don't use a cane or dog but when I walk into a room like the engineering
> tutoring center, I find it very hard to know where an empty seat is. these
> are tables that hold 6-8 people.
>
> Being someone use does not use a cane I find people difficult if you say
> for example "I am visually impaired would you mind showing me where an
> empty seat is" It seems they have to go through the song and dance of "you
> don't look blind" "why don't you get glasses" but rarely answer the
> question.
>
> Because I am not obviously visually impaired I feel very uncomfortable 
> just
> walking up and down between all the tables looking for a spot when just 
> off
> to the side I may have missed one. I feel like everyone is wondering what
> the hell I am doing and thinking I look stupid.
>
> I know this comes from years and years and years of being teased and no 
> one
> understanding legally blind and I should just get over feeling like they
> think I look stupid. But in the meantime does anyone have any good
> techniques?
>
> I did use a cane in high school. Partially for identification and partly
> for mobility but I still had issues with people because I would ALWAYS get
> the comment "Your not blind" They could never just answer my question like
> what bus is this
>
> Suzanne
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