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

Fri Sep 20 16:13:33 UTC 2013

I just had an interesting idea. Every day, make believe you are at the 
airport and carry a rolling big luggage!

Frida

On 9/19/2013 6:59 PM, Suzanne Germano wrote:
> 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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>>>
>>> --
>>> 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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