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

Fri Sep 20 02:56:05 UTC 2013

so, are you saying you have a regular laptop and macbook? If so, why two 
computers?
I'm surprised you don't write notes on the pc.

-----Original Message----- 
From: 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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> >>>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
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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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