[nagdu] nagdu using 911 for access denial?

Fri Aug 12 13:18:48 UTC 2011

Buddy,
    I know I kind of started this thread, so I feel I must speak to this 
issue. When an unequal benefit works to our disadvantage, we are more likely 
to object to it than when it works to our benefit. Whether for our benefit 
or not, an unequal benefit is still counterproductive. Prefferential 
treatment results in the public perception that we need special 
accommodations in order to function in society on terms of equality. Such 
perceptions have been shown to be one of the major reasons we have such a 
high unemployment rate. Who wants to hire someone who cannot perform a job 
on equal terms with their sighted peers and who will need special 
accommodations that cost lots of money in order to do less productive work? 
I don't have free directory assistance on my land line as an accommodation 
for my blindness, I have it as a feature of my calling plan. I do not have 
free directory assistance on my cell phone because there is a free directory 
assistance available paid for by advertising sponsors. That number is 
800-FREE411 (800-373-3411).

Fraternally yours,
Marion


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Buddy Brannan" <buddy at brannan.name>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2011 12:08 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] nagdu using 911 for access denial?


> What's wrong with unfair and unequal service? Everything has a cost. See/ 
> I told you it was an unpopular opinion.
> --
> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY
>
>
>
> On Aug 11, 2011, at 11:59 AM, Dan Weiner wrote:
>
>> What the heck is wrong with unfair and unequal service, it's nice for 
>> once
>> that blindness would count in our favor rather than against us.
>> Well, if you like spending $1.25 be my guest.
>>
>> Dan W. and the Carter Dog
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>> Behalf
>> Of Buddy Brannan
>> Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 7:04 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] nagdu using 911 for access denial?
>>
>> Hi Gary,
>>
>> Undoubtedly, this is an unpopular and minority opinion, but I don't 
>> believe
>> we are entitled to free directory assistance on our cellphones, nor 
>> should
>> we ask for it. Here's my reasoning.
>>
>> Originally, the free directory assistance was set up by the phone 
>> companies
>> as an equivalent service. Since we can't read the telephone directory,
>> provided by the telephone company, we would be given a service equivalent 
>> to
>> the free telephone directory; namely, the ability to call directory
>> assistance to ask for the number which we cannot look up ourselves.
>>
>> Since no cell phone company gives out telephone directories as part of 
>> that
>> phone service, what we would begetting by asking for free directory
>> assistance is not an equivalent service to replace one we cannot access, 
>> but
>> an unfair and unequal benefit that is not available to the general 
>> public.
>> We are not, in fact, asking for an equivalent service to level the 
>> playing
>> field, as it were, but for a special benefit. What justification do we 
>> have
>> for needing such a benefit? OK, there are still telephone directories we
>> can't read, but why is that the phone company's problem? Especially in 
>> light
>> of tools available to all, such as online telephone directories? Why 
>> should
>> the phone company absorb this cost, small as it may be, on our behalf? Do 
>> we
>> want equality, or do we want special treatment? I would suggest that we
>> shouldn't ask for special treatment where such treatment is not 
>> warranted,
>> unless we are prepared to not be afforded equal and first-class 
>> citizenship.
>>
>> --
>> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
>> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY
>>
>>
>>
>> On Aug 10, 2011, at 6:15 PM, GARY STEEVES wrote:
>>
>>> Hello everyone:
>>>
>>> I'm not sure if you are able to do this in the united states but in
>>> canada I have talked with my cell phone provider, explaining that I am
>>> visually impaired and unable to access normal directories. I have been
>>> able to get them to provide free 411 (information) on my cell phone.
>>> It is charged and then refunded in typical cell phone billing
>>> confusion. :) I'm pretty sure that I've heard on other technology
>>> lists I have been on that cell phone providers in the states would do
>>> this as well. Regardless though, it is a good practice to have the
>>> non-emergency police number in your phones contacts. (I need to do
>>> this myself)
>>>
>>> Gary
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Criminal Justice Major Extraordinaire <orleans24 at comcast.net>
>>> Date: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 2:44 pm
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] nagdu  using 911 for access denial?
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>
>>>> Hi, Marion,
>>>> Excellent and great suggestion.
>>>> I've used directory assistance on my cel phone before which did help.
>>>> As for the price of directory assistance, it actually went up to
>>>> $1.50 here in Colorado.
>>>> am not sure about it in other states here in the U.S.
>>>> I have my local Fire Department, Paramedic and Police Departments
>>>> programmed into my contacts on my cel phone.
>>>> If I remember correctly but probably don't 9 1 1 is also programmed
>>>> to where I just speed dial by pressing the 9key and holding it down
>>>> to where I'll automatically get connected.
>>>> Toll free numbers are great for organizations as it does help cut
>>>> down on long-distance charges.
>>>> Bibi and retired Odie
>>>> the happy spirited bounty labra wolf
>>>> because he behaves like a wolf at times
>>>>
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>
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