[nagdu] understanding vs. respect

Sat Jul 7 18:43:29 UTC 2012

Michael, this is precisely why I discourage people from using the term 
"diversity".  Now I know Julie used it because that's what the training was 
called.  I'd like to see "inclusivity training" or some other term using the 
word "inclusion" or "inclusive" or some other derivation for this type of 
training.  Now, having said that, people can forget and exclude a group from 
being included because a group is not thought of as important enough or 
credible enough or worldly enough to be included.

I truly believe that we are not included in varous trainings or group 
situations because it is thought that we wouldn't have jobs, we're being 
taken care of, we're not out in the world, what do the blind know anyway, we 
couldn't live without our doggies, we are to be pitied.  I think to teach 
inclusion is to not only teach what groups are to be included and that all 
people are included and how to include all people, but, respecting 
others--what does tha mean in the inclusion process?

Margo and Arrow
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Hingson" <info at michaelhingson.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2012 2:13 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] understanding vs. respect

> Margo,
>
> That is why "Diversity" is such an inappropriate term to use when 
> discussing
> bringing all "different" groups together.  Last year I wrote a speech I
> often give called "Moving From Diversity to Inclusion".  If a group or a
> person is "inclusive" then there is no room for leaving out anyone or you
> are using the term incorrectly.
>
> Last October I conducted a workshop at a group discussing and promoting
> "Diversity".  During the morning keynote speech the speaker did not once
> mention disabilities as a part of the diverse range of groups who are left
> out of society.  So, Margo, you are right in your observation.
>
>
> Best,
>
>
> Michael Hingson
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Margo and Arrow
> Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2012 09:30 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] understanding vs. respect
>
> Has anyone noticed that in diversity training or sensitivity training, the
> disabled are often excluded or glossed over, including no education about
> service animals?
>
> Margo and Arrow
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tracy Carcione" <carcione at access.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2012 11:47 AM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] understanding vs. respect
>
>
>>I agree with both of you.  Julie, your experience with diversity training
>> is similar to mine.  I'm happy to learn about other cultures, but the
>> whole thing seemed pretty phony.  And I'll take respect over 
>> understanding
>> every time.Just respect me as an adult fellow human, and we're good.
>> Understanding may follow, but, even if it doesn't, it doesn't matter,
>> since, if you respect me, you'll either figure I have the brains to work
>> things out myself, or you'll ask if I need a hand.
>> And Buddy, I too don't see it as my mission in life to educate everyone I
>> meet about blindness.  I reckon just getting on with my life ought to be
>> enough. If they harass me, I'll explain the law or whatever, but mainly
>>   I have places to go and things to do.
>> Tracy
>>> Julie,
>>>
>>> Right on, right on, right on! I'm sure some of my fellow blind folk will
>>> take issue with this, but I'm so over educating the public. Look what
>>> good
>>> it's done for us, your conference coordinator being a shining example.
>>> Darn it all, we don't need education. While ignorance is curable, 
>>> there's
>>> plenty of education to be had, should people care to have it, and it
>>> doesn't have to come from me. It's time that we quit with this belief
>>> that
>>> our lot in life is to be the ambassador for every stink in blind person
>>> out there and by god just live our lives and do our things. But it's 
>>> also
>>> time that we demand the respect due us as human beings.
>>> --
>>> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
>>> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Jul 7, 2012, at 8:08 AM, "Julie J." <julielj at neb.rr.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I wrote a bit about this a couple of weeks ago, but I've been thinking
>>>> more on the topic ...I know scary!  LOL  Anyway I attended this
>>>> diversity training seminar last spring.  It was a part of a larger
>>>> training event on drug/alcohol prevention and not something I would 
>>>> have
>>>> attended separately.  anyway the presenter talked about education and
>>>> understanding different cultures and whatnot.  There was a lot of
>>>> emphasis on what she called cultural competency, which I took to mean
>>>> being educated about various cultures.
>>>>
>>>> the whole time I'm sitting there listening to this presentation I'm
>>>> thinking about the conversation we had about my hotel reservations.
>>>> This particular presenter was the coordinator for the conference.  She
>>>> made the hotel reservations for many of the attendees because the
>>>> sponsoring agency was covering the hotel.  It's much easier to do the
>>>> paperwork that way.  Anyway she knows I'm blind and that I have Monty.
>>>> she also knows I can walk up and down stairs and whatnot.  Still she
>>>> informed the hotel that I needed a first floor room and that I'd be
>>>> accompanied by a guide dog.  she also assured the hotel that I'd be no
>>>> problem that I was quite independent.  I have no words to express my
>>>> feelings about this statement.  Unimpressed is about the nicest thing I
>>>> can say.
>>>>
>>>> So back to diversity training...she's talking about understanding and
>>>> education and how important it is to know all about other people of
>>>> various cultures, races, disabilities etc.  Immediately after this
>>>> lecture we have a break where no less than three people come up to me 
>>>> to
>>>> ask inappropriate questions or to pet Monty without asking.  Honestly
>>>> I'm not opposed to answering questions, but when I'm engaged in a
>>>> different conversation and you interrupt to ask how much I can see, 
>>>> well
>>>> it's just rude.  It was at that moment that I realized that I don't 
>>>> give
>>>> a crap about education or understanding or cultural competency or
>>>> whatever you want to call it.  Sure if people understood, I mean really
>>>> got it, about blindness that would be grand.  I don't need that though.
>>>> What I really, really want is respect.
>>>>
>>>> What do you all think?
>>>> Julie
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
>>
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