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

Fri Sep 20 04:48:00 UTC 2013

Hi,

I echo a lot of the suggestions others have said.  I use the technique
Justin described, moving a chair with my foot.  If it moves and/or I
hear someone in the chair, or see them with my vision, I know it's
taken.  If it does move it's free.  Some of the classes I go to have
really heavy chairs though, and this technique doesn't work because
I'd have to kick the chair instead of push it with my foot in order to
get it to move.  In These cases I ask someone close by if they see any
open seats close by.  Everyone in my classes has gotten to know me
enough by now to not be awkward about answering these questions, even
though sometimes they see me use my cane and other times I have it in
my bag.

Part of my luck with this is that I go to a college which stresses
community values and being friendly to everyone, but having friends in
your classes definitely helps.  Just striking up conversation with
people you regularly see around the class will make things a lot
easier.  E.G, we were doing peer edits of a paper in my English class,
and a guy at my table I had not talked to much just spoke up and said,
"Hey, if I email you my paper will you be able to peer edit?"  Just
because he figured that would work and be helpful.  Other times people
might strike up conversations with you and go, "Here, there's a free
seat to my left," just to be helpful and social.

I definitely like the telescoping canes.  I think they're great for
easy access when you need them and portability when you don't.  I also
am all for condencing things.  Have you tried taking notes on your
laptop since your books and everything else is on there anyway?  That
would eliminate the notebook and binder from your load at the very
least.  A small recorder might also be a better solution.  If there is
any way you can find a way to store some of your stuff you exclusively
use at school there, do it.  I am really greatful for my lockers,
which reduce my load to a backpack and the occasional instrument or
lunch box.

On 9/19/13, 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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-- 
Kaiti