[nabs-l] My Blindness Philosophy is Better than Yours
justin
justin.williams2 at gmail.com
Sun Jun 12 18:23:06 UTC 2016
Preboarding is a little different; with all of the chaos which can happen during boarding a plane or other conveyance, I've done that before, taking early boarding, and once or twice, I haven't. I'm also not an experienced enough traveler to tell anyone how to do that. When you are traveling, the idea is to ensure you get from point a, to point b.
But, I'm not an experienced enough traveler to really say much about that.
Justin
Justin
-----Original Message-----
From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marc Workman via NABS-L
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2016 12:43 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Marc Workman <mworkman.lists at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] My Blindness Philosophy is Better than Yours
I think what’s missing from this discussion is that some of these so called perks, and I don’t think that’s the best term, are meant more to make things run smoothly than to make your life easier.
Pre-boarding is done to give those who take a little longer to get settled a chance to get on the plane when it is less crowded. The result is that everyone gets settled faster than they would if pre-boarding did not exist or if no one took advantage of it. You could argue that blind people don’t take any longer to get settled. I think you’d be wrong, and I’d be willing to bet a large sum of money that in a controlled experiment, you would find that blind people, on average, take longer than sighted people, on average, to find a seat, store luggage, and get settled on a crowded plane. Note the words “on average”. Certainly some blind people are faster than some sighted people. Overall, though, pre-boarding gets everyone on the plane faster, saving everyone’s time and the airline’s money.
Same goes for buses, trains, etc.
I think something similar is true of priority seating and lineup arrangements, though there are other reasons why a blind person might choose to take advantage of these accommodations. Consider lineups, with very little vision, it is possible to comfortably and efficiently navigate a lineup on your own. As long as you can make out whether someone is standing two feet in front of you, you’re good to go. If you cannot see the person in front of you though, lineups can be very awkward. I’d be interested in the strategies of the totally blind.
I’ve heard it suggested that you can gently rest your cane against the foot of the person in front of you. Sorry, but I think if the goal is to avoid having blind people look strange or awkward, then this technique, which I would argue requires an invasion of someone else’s space, is probably not the best approach. In some cases, avoiding the lineup altogether is probably the more graceful approach.
As for seating, it’s not unusual for someone to stand and offer me a seat on city buses. When the bus is very crowded and I’m not going a long distance, I may politely decline the offer. After all, my legs are fine. Things are slightly more complicated with the dog now, but in general I have no problem with standing on a moving bus. The challenge is knowing when a seat has opened up. For example, there may be no open seats when I board a bus, I decline the offered seat because I can stand like anyone else, but then two stops later a seat opens up six rows back. I of course don’t have any way of knowing this short of regularly asking those around me. So I continue to stand as seats become available around me. Not only is this sort of strange looking, it actually does interfere with how efficiently other passengers are able to get on and off the bus. So as I said, in some cases I’ll decline the offer, but for the most part, I’ll accept, knowing that the other person is likely going to have an easier time finding another seat, and that this arrangement is not only easier for me, but it generally improves how smoothly the trip goes for all passengers.
One caveat to all of this, if you want to do things on your own, even if it means slowing things down a bit, of course you should be able to do that. So I’m not saying blind people should be forced to pre-board, avoid lineups, and take the offered seat. Just like the person in the grocery store who insists on digging through pockets or purses to come up with exact change has a right to take longer than I do by simply tapping my credit card. If you want to do things your way, all the power to you. I would just say that this does not necessarily lead to better perceptions of blind people, and that there are good reasons why someone might opt to take advantage of something offered, even though the accommodation isn’t required in the strictest sense.
Marc
On 6/13/16, Julie McGinnity via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I agree with Arielle. If I do not need the accommodation, then I will
> do my best not to take it.
>
> First of all, we should probably call these things what they are:
> accommodations. Shorter lines, priority boarding, and the like are
> accommodations for people with disabilities. Were they meant
> specifically for blind people? Not necessarily. Calling them social
> perks not only buys into the general idea that we should take
> advantage of accommodations simply because we can, but it is also
> misleading.
>
> It is illegal to force someone into taking an accommodation they do
> not need. I recently had an experience at an airport and learned
> about this part of the law because of it. The desk attendant told me
> that I could not take my dog on the escalator and had to use the
> elevator. In this instance, he and I had a discussion that led to my
> discovery that this "rule" was not an airport policy. If it had been
> policy, it would have violated the law.
>
> Let's look at another angle. When I flew to Colorado, I refused to go
> to the shorter line for people with disabilities. I can walk and
> stand just fine and didn't feel that I needed to be in the other line.
> I didn't have a problem with being asked to step in that line, but I
> did say no. The problem was that the airport worker person did not
> take no for an answer. He decided what I needed and did not listen to
> my refusal of the accommodation. I dislike the custodial attitude
> that those without disabilities know exactly what accommodations we
> require. Furthermore, I believe my yes should be taken as a yes and
> my no as a no. I would assert that this is the real problem here.
>
> This does not happen to me all the time. Sometimes, my "no thank you"
> is enough. But enough people have decided what I may need enough
> times that I believe it is a problem. And no matter the philosophy on
> taking accommodations that do not necessarily belong to us, we can all
> agree that we want our responses respected. We do not want to be
> treated like second class citizens, who accept what is given to us
> without question because that's all we deserve. Right?
>
> So then here we are. Does someone's acceptance of these
> accommodations hurt me if I choose to refuse them? Well, no, except
> that when I am advocating for myself, I have to respond that not every
> blind person is the same. Blind dude yesterday may have gone to the
> shorter line, but I am not that person, and I would like to decline
> this accommodation. I believe that this would cause more of a sceen,
> more of a spectical, to use the author's words. I would prefer no one
> compare me to the blind person yesterday who stood in the shorter
> line, but that's not reality. Sometimes people with disabilities are
> seen as all the same. Talk about misconceptions of the public that
> need changing... Again, I assert that this is the real problem.
>
> So, should we condemn someone for a different philosophy? No, but we
> should share our experiences, discuss with them the attitudes of the
> public, and remind them that these are the choices we have.
>
> Finally, I believe that the argument supporting the use of these
> accommodations to make our day a little easier is illogical. We can't
> read signs; getting in a shorter line will not solve this. And that
> does not make a plausible excuse. Blindness certainly can be an
> inconvenience, but do those accommodations lessen the
> blindness-related inconveniences? Sometimes, maybe they do, but when
> they don't, should we take them? Or should we examine why we're
> taking them and think critically about what effect our actions will
> have upon society?
>
> Interesting topic... Sorry for the lengthy response... :)
>
> On 6/12/16, justin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> I used necessary accommodations in college which were related to
>> blindness, but I don't do that in social situations. It is very
>> important to avoid cutting the line, or using my visual disability
>> to gain an unfair social advantage in a social situation. I can't
>> think of many social situations for me where blindness is something
>> that should be accommodated for outside of a movie or something like
>> that in a theater. I'm sure they exist, and I just am not pulling
>> them up right now.
>> I avoid using ramps, and other accommodations related to other
>> disabilities, or even blindness accommodations I don't need so
>> everyone who needs them can have fair resources.
>> Ps.
>> Some of you folks tried to give me a hard time when I was using some
>> of my accommodations in college. Do any of you remember that?
>> It was about extended test times which I used anytime I took a test.
>> Kenedy, use that extended time....
>> LOL
>> Justin
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NABS-L [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Karl
>> Martin Adam via NABS-L
>> Sent: Monday, June 13, 2016 10:13 AM
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Karl Martin Adam <kmaent1 at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] My Blindness Philosophy is Better than Yours
>>
>> Kennedy,
>>
>> I think extended testing time is related to blindness depending on
>> how you're taking the test. I took most of my tests with readers,
>> and it just takes longer to have a reader read the question then tell
>> them your answer make sure they heard you correctly (my first ever
>> exam at college I got one question wrong because the reader heard B
>> instead of D, so I've been very careful about this since) etc. And
>> of course it takes even longer if you're say dictating short answers
>> to a reader instead of just having them fill out a scantron.
>>
>> Best,
>> Karl
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: KENNEDY STOMBERG via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org Date sent: Mon, 13 Jun 2016 08:24:08 -0500
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] My Blindness Philosophy is Better than Yours
>>
>> 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
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>> for
>> NABS-L:
>>
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/louvins%40gma
>> il.com
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>> for
>> NABS-L:
>>
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/arielle71%40g
>> mail.com
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>> for
>> NABS-L:
>>
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kestomberg%40
>> coe.edu
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kmaent1%40gma
>> il.com
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/justin.williams2%
>> 40gmail
>> .com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> NABS-L mailing list
>> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> NABS-L:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/kaybaycar%40gmail
>> .com
>>
>
>
> --
> Julie A. McGinnity
> President, National Federation of the Blind Performing Arts Division,
> Second Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
> "For we walk by faith, not by sight"
> 2 Cor. 7
>
> _______________________________________________
> NABS-L mailing list
> NABS-L at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NABS-L:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/mworkman.lists%40g
> mail.com
>
_______________________________________________
NABS-L mailing list
NABS-L at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NABS-L:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/justin.williams2%40gmail.com
More information about the NABS-L
mailing list