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

Wed Sep 28 16:18:44 UTC 2016

Good morning, Kathryn,

         We know all this, that is, we know how,dawning a blind fold 
is usually a destructive practice, doesn't give anyone, particularly 
Ol'Sighty,  an idea of actually living as a blind person, but we 
don't need to attack like this, that is, unless you appreciate the 
Federation being thought of as militant, angry.
Car /28/2016, Linson Productions via NABS-L wrote:
>I don't think posting a negative review will help anything. You may want to
>consider that the federation fighting blindness is helping those who don't
>understand and have never experienced before. What has the NFB done?
>
>On Sep 28, 2016 9:08 AM, "Arielle Silverman via NABS-L" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>wrote:
>
> > 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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> > >
> >
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