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

Fri Dec 2 23:45:12 UTC 2016

She was shocked or offended that a New Yorker was rude? I rest my case. :-) 

--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: 814-860-3194 
Mobile: 814-431-0962
Email: buddy at brannan.name

> On Dec 2, 2016, at 6:30 PM, S L Johnson via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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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> 
> 
> 
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