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

[Suzanne Germano]

Class isn't the issue, I always get there early because I want front row
center. :-) that's where the A people sit and of course I see better.

The specific situation is the engineering tutoring center with table of 6-8
people and is just people coming and going form 9 am til 7pm. Most times it
is not a problem but when it is busy there might not even be a spot
available.

I was thinking of contacting them to see if I could just let all the tutors
in there know about my vision. I have told them individually when I have
asked for help. Of course they don't really get it because they still write
small in light pencil so I have to keep reminding them


On Thu, Sep 19, 2013 at 7:51 PM, Ashley Bramlett
<bookwormahb at earthlink.net>wrote:

> 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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