[nagdu] Section 501(d)

[Sherri]

Dan< I agree with you. Why should we not be entitled to the same information 
that our sighted counterparts have--just to know when the light changes. And 
it's the same thing when walking through a hospital or an airport where 
there are blue tiles or red tiles to follow or signs with arrows pointing 
toward various places--how much easier would it be for us to travel if we 
had a transmitting device that could point out those features to us? That 
would at least bring informational access more into equality. Take down 
those signs and colored tiles and watch the sighted people get around the 
air port effectively.
However, none of this information access can take the place of good training 
in blindness skills. Just because you know the light has changed doesn't 
mean it's safe to cross the street. One example in my life I will never 
forget where blindness skills were superior to the eyesight of my 
counter-parts--I was in a Lamas class years ago preparing to have my first 
child. The class took place in an auditorium in the hospital where I just 
happened to work as a medical transcriber. I knew my way around that 
hospital pretty well. Toward the end of the class, all the lights went out. 
The only power available in the hospital was that to needed equipment and 
specific areas of the hospital, the auditorium and hallway not being one of 
those areas. Needless to say, the sighted couples freaked! After the class 
ended, the lights were still out and the hallway dark! "How are we going to 
find our way out of here?" several couples asked. I took my cane and got up 
and said, "It's okay, just follow me. I'll get you to the front doors! So 
here I am with this line of people behind me showing them the way to the 
front doors. I will never forget that experience. It pointed out to me that 
alternatives techniques can be superior to vision.
Sherri

Sherri
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan Weiner" <dcwein at dcwein.cnc.net>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2010 11:12 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Section 501(d)


> My point exactly...the audible signal gives us the info about when the
> sighted pedestrian, all pedestrians, would see a walk sign or a traffic
> light change, that's all I want them to do.--smile.
> And there's another format for the Audible signal I've seen, or rather 
> felt,
> in this case, somewhere, where was it?  The button would vibrate.
>
> Pete, I've met you at convention three times at least and know you have a
> hearing issue.
> You work quite well with your pups.
>
> I feel that, rather than assuming that travel skills need to be worked on, 
> a
> good discussion of advantages and disadvantages is more appropriate for 
> this
> list.
>
> We all have different skills, strengths and weaknesses.
> I believe it is one of the weaknesses of our movement, however, to try to
> paint everyone with one brush.
> Then, if one of us is better or worse at something, those who are having
> problems spend an inordinate amount of time feeling like an inferior 
> person
> because they can't do something the way a supposedly capable blind person
> would.
>
>
> And remember, Mike, in regard to stereotypes: don't you know that the dogs
> just take people where they want to go and read thee traffic light?
> And, those guys with the cane are just sort of groping around?
> If I base my assessment of my needs and attitudes about blindness on
> stereotypes, I probably wouldn't even leave my bed.  As attractive as that
> would be some mornings when I'm tired, it's not how I want to live my
> life--smile
>
>
> Dan and the Carter Nut
>
>
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