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

Fri Sep 20 04:38:18 UTC 2013

No just the 17 inch macbook and iPad. I will be working on the assignment
on the macbook but have the book on the iPad.

On Thu, Sep 19, 2013 at 7:56 PM, Ashley Bramlett
<bookwormahb at earthlink.net>wrote:

> 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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