[nagdu] presentation about blindness

[Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)]

I also want to say that the interaction with a dog isn't always
positive. Some people don't like dogs and others are downright
terrorified of them. So when you talk, don't make it "dog good, cane
bad".

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 9:43 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] presentation about blindness

I don't know about this. People respond to you based on what they know.
Most people don't know squat about canes. Canes draw attention to you
because not many people in the general population have them. Dogs are
something people can relate to. I don't know though that the device
makes much different. When I wear my space shuttle jacket, I naturally
draw people who are interested in the space program. When I have my
daughter with me, I draw people that have kids or like kids. When my
husband wwears his D.C. United shirt, he draws people that either love
D.C. United or who don't like them so much.  Any or all of these people
are probably all around us at any given moment, it's just that we don't
know about them. 
Why do you think the class is more afraid of your cane then that you're
blind. 
I'd suggest letting them lead the discussion. It's counterintuitive, but
I think if you let them lead, you'll show them that you're just an
average guy who has interests and hobbies v. "a blind guy". 
Start off by talking about whatever it is you're there but when it comes
to q&A, and they say "How do you watch tv" or whatever, use that to talk
about a show they may like. 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Mark J. Cadigan
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 9:12 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] presentation about blindness

Does anyone recognize a difference in the way people act towards you
when 
you have a cane verses a dog? What about when you have no blindness
mobility 
devices with you? I have to give a presentation about blindness to a
class 
of 5th graders, and I was wondering how to make them understand that
someone 
with a mobility device is no different than anyone else. I think they
are 
more afraid of the fact that I carry a cane, than the fact that I am
blind.

PS why are people so afraid of blindness?


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