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

[Ashley Bramlett]

Suzanne,

As someone with low vision too, I have encountered odd questions too. I use 
a cane all the time in public areas like school, but it does not help in 
finding empty chairs.

Its too bad people cannot tell you where a seat is. I mean if you say you 
cannot see much and need help, it seems to me  that they could simply tell 
you the information. Gee, I wonder about people sometime.

I ask where seats are if I don't see one immediately, but usually there are 
empty seats in the first few rows I can easily grab.
I'd suggest getting to class early. You will have the majority of seats free 
then and simply grab one. Take a seat at the end of a table if possible; its 
easier to find.

If a seat is not free at the end, just walk down the row of seats to see 
what is free.
As you move among the seats, listen for talking and movement. Often
clusters of students sit together and will make some sort of noise.
If you hear silence in a certain area, chances are no one is sitting there.

If you still have difficulty, talk to the professor. This may not be a 
popular idea as I know we don't want to look incompetent, but I would not 
want to feel bad about finding a place to sit. Simply say to the professor 
you need some guidance and could they point you to a seat or save a seat for 
you in a certain row. Professors also know what seats fill up first and 
which ones remain empty. They see a pattern.
Knowing this pattern may help you find a chair. I know I definitely try and 
look independent while walking into class and sitting down. So I go to the 
first few rows and try and find a seat. If none is free, I move further 
back. Often I only get a few steps, and the professor tells me where a seat 
is.
I did not have to say anything, but I use a cane so its obvious I have 
difficulty.
I would think  a professor would help you with a simple verbal cue if they 
know you need help.

Another option is if you have a friend or acquaintance in class who 
understands you cannot see, ask them for help and they can tell you where 
empty seats are.

I hope some of this helps. Good luck.
Also, you sure have a lot to carry. I don't know how you have the strength 
to haul it around all day.

Ashley

-----Original Message----- 
From: Suzanne Germano
Sent: Thursday, September 19, 2013 2:12 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
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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