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

Fri Sep 20 02:45:41 UTC 2013

Sounds like you do have quite a load, and that it is working for you.  How
about a telescope cane that you use only in that situation? Could you manage
that?  Another suggestion is to move the chair with your foot to see if it
is occupied. That's slow and a little cumbersome , but I have used it
before.  Maybe another way of subtly nudging the chair.  You could maybe try
a  binocular in situations like that.  The cane and binocular are just if
you have a hand free. You could wear the binocular around your neck or
something like that.  

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Suzanne Germano
Sent: Thursday, September 19, 2013 9:59 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Finding seats VI that does not use cane or dog

The cctv which is only 5lbs of what I carry is to see the board. I do not
use it for reading. I have the books on my laptop. It is a million times
better than using a monocular or mini binoculars. It fold up fairly small.

In addition to my magnilink student pro cctv, I also have a17 inch macbook,
ti84 calculator, 4 pairs of glasses (all of which I need for various light
and/or distance, mini binoculars, candy grip 5 inch cctv, notepad for taking
notes, small bag with contacts lenses, solutions etc, 1.5 inch binder with
my notes, 2 monoculars, labcoat on wednesdays.... Plus I bring
3 meals with me. There is literally nothing I could do without.

I have used my vision my entire life I would have to drop out of school and
take time to become proficient in speech. I was never good with audio books.
I am a visual learner. I can do large print.

I do read with the cctv at home because I have a 27 inch monitor and it is
so much faster when I can get more on the screen!

I can see available spot at table right near me. I just don't know if there
are spots across the room if the first table are full without walking all
around.

On Thu, Sep 19, 2013 at 5:44 PM, Arielle Silverman <
Arielle.Silverman at asu.edu> wrote:

> 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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> l.com
> >>>
> >>
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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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> >
>
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