[nfb-db] Crossing Streets?

[Alicia Richards]

Hello, all.  I rarely post to this list, as I am blind, but hearing. 
However, I'd like to respond to  Kerri's message.  Please forgive the 
upcoming lengthy message.

Kerri, I'm not quite sure what to suggest here.  I will continue to think 
about it.  I personally feel that the LCB, like most blindness centers I've 
known, has no idea how to handle a client who has a hearing impairment as 
well as blindness.  I'm not saying LCB is a bad center.  I know it's our 
best one, actually. You're right about that. I agree with them nine times 
out of ten.  But I think they are wrong on this issue: that your travel 
instructor is wrong in this case.  Seriously, your message makes me want to 
take our Center's sleepshade policy, and apply it to hearing.  I'd love to 
put an earplug in one of your instructor's ears, and see how well he/she 
could distinguish traffic patterns.

First, I truly do not believe this is an  issue of your having a negative 
attitude, or being too afraid.  Your message clearly shows you have a very 
positive attitude, and I admire it.  You're ready and more than willing to 
learn, and want to get the best out of your program.  Not all students do. 
I don't think you're afraid of independent travel, but simply of street 
crossings.  And I don't think it's you not trusting yourself.  I truly 
believe it's about your hearing impairment, and you very naturally wanting 
to be safe.  Your fear, in my opinion, is nothing more than inteligent 
self-preservation, which any normal human would have.  I'm glad you've 
consistently made the right decision about when to cross thus far, but it 
sounds as if your hearing is not trustworthy enough to be counted on all the 
time, and personally, that's a gamble I would not want to take.  Whether 
parallel or perpendicular traffic is quiet or loud doesn't seem to be 
relevant, if you're not able to tell which direction it is moving, through 
no fault of your own, by the way.  From my bits of experience with those who 
are hearing impaired and blind, it seems like the biggest mistake hearing 
people make is to assume that hearing has to do with loud and quiet only. 
We often don't factor in things like directionality.  I know I certainly 
didn't until I started meeting people who were in situations similar to 
yours.

I'm pretty sure this is not at all what you want to hear, but I'll say it 
anyway.  Most blind and hearing impaired people I know use street-crossing 
cards if they can't distinguish between perpendicular and parallel traffic. 
It's a card that has writing on it that says you are blind and hearing 
impaired, and need assistance to cross the street.  Yes, I know, on the 
surface this would seem to go against our philosophy of independence, as 
well as your desire to be so.  But, if you listen to Dr. Jernigan's speech, 
"The Nature of Independence," he basically says that the most independence 
is obtained by employing whatever alternative techniques you need to in 
order to live and travel safely and effectively.  To me, you using your 
limited hearing to try and distinguish between perpendicular and parallel 
traffic is neither safe or effective, as your email shows.   I view a street 
crossing card the same way I do a blind person using a white cane.  Many are 
resistent at first.  But a white cane is needed for blind people to travel 
safely and effectively.  For some blind and hearing impaired people, so is a 
street crossing card.  It's simply another alternative technique. Again, I 
say, I don't think you have a negative attitude or are too afraid.

This is where I think the deaf-blind division needs to help educate places, 
especially our own training centers, in regards to people with both 
blindness and hearing issues.  LCB is most likely to listen to fellow 
Federationists, people they know share their positive philosophy of 
blindness.  Cathy and Rox, if I remember correctly, you both live in 
Louisiana, and I know you both have great attitudes and philosophy of 
blindness.  Do either of you know anyone or have any connection to LCB? 
Since you guys live in that state, do you think there's anything you could 
do here?

Kerri, I will continue to think about this, but I really wanted to respond 
and say that I don't think your problems here have anything to do with your 
attitude or lack of self-confidence.

Alicia