[nabs-l] My Blindness Philosophy is Better than Yours

Mon Jun 13 13:24:08 UTC 2016

I think you bring up a very good point. When are acomidations offerred as a result of blindness, and when are they offred because of steriotypes. 
For example, I think many of us have had the experience of being offerred a wheelchair at an airport. This is something I always refuse. But I don't know that it's a distinction that I make often enough... Definitely something to think about. 
However, some would  argue that taking accomidations such as extended testing time are not related to blindness. (Though, I happen to think they are, and that is something I take advantage of.) Definitely a very enteristing discussion. 

Kennedy Stomberg 
(218)295-2391 

> On Jun 13, 2016, at 8:00 AM, Arielle Silverman via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Joe and all,
> This is a great topic, and one that I have some strong feelings about.
> Generally, as a blind person, I use accommodations that are related to
> my blindness. I turn down accommodations that are meant for people
> with other disabilities. These include cuts in lines, priority
> seating, ramps and accessible restroom stalls. Although cuts in lines
> and priority seating are offered to me as a blind person, my blindness
> doesn't create a need for those accommodations. I recognize that there
> are individuals with other disabilities who actually benefit from, and
> sometimes require, such accommodations. The only reason I am offered
> such accommodations is because of stereotypes linking blindness with
> physical weakness. So, I turn these accommodations down. I do it
> quietly, don't make a scene, but I do turn them down. I know people
> with these other disabilities who say they are glad that I turn such
> accommodations down so that they can use them. Of course, if I have a
> temporary issue that limits my ability to stand or walk, such as when
> I had a bad allergic blister on my foot a few years ago, then I will
> accept such accommodations. I also recognize that for some blind
> individuals other than me, such as those who use guide dogs,
> accommodations like priority seating or a larger bathroom stall might
> be useful.
> The other piece of this, for me, involves following social rules of
> fairness. I believe in taking my proper turn in line. If something is
> first-come, first-served, and I get there first, I'll take it. If I
> get to the gate first, of course I'll board first. But if I get to the
> gate in the middle, I will board in the middle, and not cut to the
> front even if permitted to do so. For me this is a simple matter of
> politeness. It is also a matter of integrity. If I am going to say
> that I am equal to sighted people, then I need to behave that way.
> Again, I do it quietly. For me, it's not a matter of proving a point
> or convincing others of anything. It's a matter of living up to my
> personal values and allowing everyone around me to have fair access to
> resources. I am very fortunate to have a sighted spouse who gets this,
> and defends me when I turn down unneeded cutsin lines and other
> special treatment.
> This is just my opinion and I welcome other views on this.
> Best, Arielle
> 
>> On 6/13/16, Joshua Hendrickson via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> I agree.  I'd say if you were able to board a bus before others would
>> be a good thing whether you were blind or not.  I certainly would have
>> gotten on the bus first.  When I used to take the Van Gelder bus from
>> Rockford to Chicago, the driver would help me find a seat on the bus.
>> I never thought anything about it.  It was just nice to get my seat,
>> turn on my NLS player and listen to a book while the bus was on its
>> way to Chicago.
>> 
>>> On 6/13/16, Joe Orozco via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> Should a blind person use their disability to take advantage of social
>>> perks?
>>> I briefly touched on the following story elsewhere in these pages. It
>>> has bearing on the current point though, so hang in there for a
>>> moment.
>>> Back in college I was once traveling with a fellow blind friend on
>>> Greyhound. We happened to arrive at the gate before anyone else, but
>>> because my traveling companion was, probably still is, an ultra
>>> independent blind person, they refused to board the bus first. The bus
>>> driver was confused. Why would this person want to let other
>>> passengers skip ahead when we'd beaten everyone else to the gate? The
>>> bus driver couldn't understand my companion was refusing to get on the
>>> bus ahead of everyone else on principle. Allowing persons with
>>> disabilities to skip ahead in line is just something society expects,
>>> and my companion, following their own philosophy of independence, was
>>> not going to feed into that presumptive notion.
>>> I have always wondered about the rationale to this way of thinking.
>>> What is it about using certain social perks directly linked to
>>> disabilities that inspire such delicate feelings of inferiority?
>>> Perhaps we are afraid to look inept by jumping to the front of a line.
>>> That speaks to perception, and just as laws do not change minds
>>> overnight, your position in line is not likely to automatically make
>>> someone think you are any more or less capable by standing ahead or
>>> behind. Do we really believe standing in the middle of the crowd will
>>> somehow make us more a part of the people? Will that translate to
>>> making us more approachable? More datable? More employable? Your
>>> subsequent words and actions after getting in line are more likely to
>>> have an influence over someone's opinion of you as a blind individual.
>>> Making a scene to be treated as an equal does not create equality. It
>>> creates a spectacle.
>>> 
>>> Read the rest of the article at:
>>> 
>>> http://joeorozco.com/blog_my_blindness_philosophy_is_better_than_yours
>>> 
>>> Joe
>>> 
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>> 
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