[nabs-l] IMPORTANT: The #HowEyeSeeIt Campaign from Foundation Fighting Blindness

[Arielle Silverman]

Hi all. You can also take action by going to the Foundation Fighting
Blindness's Facebook page and posting a negative review in the reviews
section. A number of our members, including President Riccobono, have
done this.
Best, Arielle

On 9/28/16, Kathryn Webster, NABS President via NABS-L
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Dear NABS:
>
>
>
>                 On August 25, 2016, the Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB)
> created what they are calling the "Blind fold Challenge," under the hashtag
> "#HowEyeSeeIt (eye as in E. Y. E.)  In this challenge, people are asked to
> put on a blind fold for a minimal amount of time to preform a day-to-day
> task. In doing so, a person is supposedly made aware of what it is like to
> be a blind person.
>
> It is the hopes of the Foundation Fighting Blindness that, because they
> recognize the struggles blind people face, they will donate money to "cure
> blindness."
>
>
>
>                 Our members of the National Federation of the Blind have
> spoken out against this campaign, and we have been silenced. In fact, we
> are
> not inherently opposed to medical research for blindness. What we find
> problematic is the inaccurate portrayal of blind people as helpless; or
> worse: blindness as something to fear. For example, one of the videos
> demonstrates "what it would be like if you lost your sight.what it is like
> to no longer see your children." In an age where blind parents are
> systematically subjected to third-party custody or separation from their
> children, on the bases of their blindness, videos misconstruing blind
> parenting is offensive, dangerous, and frightening to us.
>
>
>
>                 We have explained, using scientific research, why blind
> fold
> simulation is harmful in societal interactions and practical application.
> We
> have fought back hard, by demonstrating what it is truly like to be blind,
> independent, and capable. We have been marginally successful. The fight
> does
> not stop here. We must continue the fight to show that we can live the life
> we want.
>
>
>
> There are three things we must keep in mind and take action:
>
> 1. Do not participate in the blindfold challenge: they are destructive and
> dangerous to our work.
>
> 2. Do not donate to this campaign: we are not against medical research,
> even
> medical research conducted by the foundation. We are against this campaign,
> though!
>
> 3. Educate people. Please post videos, pictures, and text. This will
> explain
> how you live the life you want. We know that blindness is not the
> characteristic that defines us, or what holds us back. We know, with
> alternative techniques and proper training, we can perform the same task as
> an average person in an average setting.
>
>
>
> In pushing back, we must stay respectful. We must continue educating the
> public because it is the low expectations of blindness that create
> obstacles
> between us and our dreams.
>
>
>
> I believe in us, the students, to show our capabilities by pushing back on
> the Blindfold Challenge. Let's join together, the national Federation of
> the
> Blind, the most powerful blindness organization in our nation.
>
> #HowEyeSeeIt
>
>
>
> Please let me know if you have any questions; and I can't wait to see all
> the posts our blind students have to share!
>
>
>
> Yours and the Movement,
>
> Kathryn Webster
>
> President | National Association of Blind Students
>
> (203) 273-8463
>
> Nabs.president at gmail.com <mailto:Nabs.president at gmail.com>
>
> Nfb.students.com
>
> @nabslink
>
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