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

Fri Sep 20 01:30:14 UTC 2013

Hi guys,
I agree with Arielle and others on this. I myself used to not take a cane
with me places, but a couple of years ago, I got kinda tired of all the
things people would say so I brought my cane along. It does make situations
a lot better.
As for looking for seats, well I agree with Arielle on that as well, asking
and lightly touching the back of a chair does help a lot. 
Best,
Ryan Bishop

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Arielle
Silverman
Sent: Thursday, September 19, 2013 5:45 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Finding seats VI that does not use cane or dog

Hi Suzanne,

I agree with everyone else re: using a cane. I think it makes these kinds of
situations a lot less awkward. People might still wonder why you are using a
cane if you can see some things, but I always feel like those wonderings are
other people's problem, not mine. If someone is really curious they will ask
and it will become a good educational opportunity.

My strategy for finding a seat is to come up to a table that sounds quiet
and gently touch the back of the first chair. If it feels like it is empty,
I then gently reach out a little more toward the front to confirm the chair
is empty. If it is taken, then I walk to the next chair and check that one,
or ask the person occupying the first seat if other seats at their table are
open. I have never had problems with that method and since I use a cane,
there's no weirdness about why I'm asking the question.
I also think your roller-bag situation sounds unnecessarily obnoxious.
I am wondering if you could switch from the portable CCTV to a more compact
solution like speech software or screen magnification on your laptop or
screen enlargement and speech on an I-device?

Arielle

On 9/19/13, Julie McGinnity <kaybaycar at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Suzanne,
>
> Water coolers and water fountains are your friends.  I am a singer and 
> understand the need for hydration.  That was one of the first things I 
> did when learning this new campus for grad school.  Water cooler water 
> is nice and cold too, so if you can find those, then it will be a real 
> treat.  That way you can carry a smaller bottle of water and have a 
> hand free.
>
> Honestly, though not carrying a cane may make it more complicated, 
> finding an empty seat as a blind person is not fun.  I have some 
> vision, so I tend to do what I call the awkward blind hover when 
> looking for a spot.  I stand at a table where I don't hear noise, 
> wait, listen, and look for people at the table.  I don't recommend it.
>  It is much more efficient to simply ask another student or worker if 
> you're in a cafeteria setting.
>
> I would then definitely recommend finding a way to use a cane.
>
> On 9/19/13, Elizabeth Mohnke <lizmohnke at hotmail.com> wrote:
>> 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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>>
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>
>
> --
> Julie McG
> National Association of Guide dog Users board member,  National 
> Federation of the Blind performing arts division secretary, Missouri 
> Association of Guide dog Users President, and Guiding Eyes for the 
> Blind graduate 2008 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only 
> Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have 
> eternal life."
> John 3:16
>
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