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

Fri Sep 20 04:31:37 UTC 2013

That's true I never thought of whipping out the monocular to scan the
room!! One thing I do is walk along the outside windows so I can see th
table along that side before I go in.

On Thu, Sep 19, 2013 at 7:45 PM, justin williams <justin.williams2 at gmail.com
> wrote:

> 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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> > com
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > 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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> > com
> > >
> >
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