[NAGDU] [nagdu] Preferential Treatment was: Blanket Prosciption Against Advance Notice

Fri Dec 2 23:30:16 UTC 2016

Cindy:

Yes, the woman did say when I asked her to explain.  Unknown to me at the 
time, this crossing was quite close to a residential center for the blind. 
The woman said that on several occasions she offered assistance to one of 
the blind residence either to cross a street or locate a place of business. 
She was most often met with shouting angry rude responses and the blind 
person shouting at her that they could do it themselves.  Often she said 
that it was obvious the person needed help because they acted very confused 
and unsure.  There had been instances when one of the blind people started 
to step into traffic when it was not safe and the light was against them. 
When she stopped them and offered to help, they got mad and spoke to her in 
angry voices with very foul language.  I did not know these blind people 
but, I did thank her for her kind offer and told her that my guide dog could 
guide me safely across the street.  She then asked how I would know when it 
was safe to cross and I explained how we listen to the traffic and then give 
the dog the forward command.  She observed that when a car suddenly turned 
in front of me, my dog stopped and waited until it was safe.  Fortunately I 
was not in a hurry that day and was able to take the time to help educate 
this woman about how we travel with our dogs.

Sandra

-----Original Message----- 
From: Cindy Ray via NAGDU
Sent: Friday, December 02, 2016 5:46 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Cc: Cindy Ray
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] [nagdu] Preferential Treatment was: Blanket Prosciption 
Against Advance Notice

Of course, Sandra, the woman didn't say what she meant by rude and hostile.
Now I will say that from time to time I have been, but one day on a
Southwest Flight I expressed my rights and I was firm; I did not raise my
voice. The flight attendant accused me of yelling and intimidating the other
passengers. Also, sometimes when you say politely that you do not need the
assistance, people get equally angry and accuse you of being "too
independent." So judgmental works both ways, too; and when people insist
that you do something you don't really want/need to do, that's wrong as
well. So I think we all have to be very careful how we come across, but I
also think we need to weigh the cost of the extras we are taking. If we are
more comfortable getting on a plane in advance, which I am, then go for it.
And it is true that there are others with the same opportunity to exercise
that privilege. If you want to take a different seat offered to you, go for
it, but at some point someone may say if I don't want it, oh we had another
blind person who always takes that seat so we thought all blind people did
that. So we have to decide what it is worth to us and then stand firm. I've
had people hostile to me because I asked them to please not pet my dog. It
is not totally a black and white issue for sure.
Cindy Lou Ray
cindyray at gmail.com

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of S L Johnson via
NAGDU
Sent: Friday, December 2, 2016 3:02 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: S L Johnson <SLJohnson25 at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] [nagdu] Preferential Treatment was: Blanket Prosciption
Against Advance Notice

Hello:

I am always very grateful when the airline moves me t a better seat.  That
is much better than my dog being squished in a tight place and the passenger
sitting next to me complaining about having to be near a dog.  I consider
that a reasonable accommodation.  I feel the same about preboarding.  If
they are willing to let me get myself and the dog settled before the other
passengers begin pushing and shoving then I am all for it.  I do not think
in any it is demeaning to us as blind people.  It is no different than them
allowing extra time for someone using a walker or wheelchair.  Let's get
real, it does take us a bit longer to get ourselves settled and avoiding the
crowd is much better, especially when people these days are so impatient and
likely to cause a fuss.  I think many blind people are much too sensitive to
what some of you consider preferential treatment.  If you were a senior
citizen who needed more time would you think it was wrong to let them have
it?  no, you probably wouldn't.  I think we have to quit being so judgmental
of others.  If you do not want what you consider as preferential treatment
then politely decline it but don't knock anyone else for taking it.  Show
appreciation for any airline or any other public transportation or
accommodation for being kind enough to offer you a better place for you and
your dog.  Changing the public attitude about blindness goes both ways.  We
cannot insist on respect if we become rude whenever anyone tries to be nice
to us.  One day many years ago I was in New York city.  I was at a very busy
intersection waiting for the traffic light to change.  I did not know that
signal was out of order until a person came up to me to offer assistance.
That woman said she was very reluctant to offer assistance because many
times she had been yelled at by blind people when she offered to help them.
She said she found blind people to be very rude and hostile.  Obviously this
is not the image we want to give the public.  Therefore, if you do not want
assistance or to take advantage of other accommodations you don't think you
deserve, then please decline with extreme politeness and consideration.

Sandra Johnson and Eva
-----Original Message-----
From: David via NAGDU
Sent: Friday, December 02, 2016 3:24 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: David
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] [nagdu] Preferential Treatment was: Blanket Prosciption
Against Advance Notice

I think that comparison is a bit of stretch, Marion.

If the regular seats would fit ordinary humans, I might consider it
preferential treatment, but since they don't, I think it is a reasonable
accommodation.

I don't mind paying for adequate space, by the way, but I also don't mind
not being charged for it.

David and Claire Rose in Clearwater, FL

On 12/2/2016 1:16 PM, Buddy Brannan via NAGDU wrote:
> This is a little like what we hear so many times about God giving us a
> keener sense of hearing or touch to compensate for our blindness.

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