[nfb-talk] Convention

[David Andrews]

John:

I have been to quite a number of NFb conventions, and I will say that 
I have observed a wide range of persons and abilities.  I have seen 
some great travelers, and I have seen people who bring a sighted 
parent or friend because they don't travel alone.  I have seen people 
who went through buffet lines with little or no assistance, and I 
have had dinner with people who requested that the waiter or waitress 
cut their meat.  I suspect that the range of people and abilities is 
much greater than you think.

Dave

At 04:13 PM 8/2/2011, you wrote:
>Well, I presume you're asking how I know that those who attend the 
>conventions are the best of the best. And I'll admit its just 
>speculation. But it just stands to reason. Of course, it wouldn't be 
>a perfect correllation either.  But I'm sure the majority of people 
>at the NFB conventions are those who have it together (for lack of a 
>better term).
>
>I once got into a debate with someone from the ACB who questioned 
>the 70% unemployment figure for blind people. He had done  a survey 
>of ACB members and found that the unemployment rate was more like 30 
>- 40%. But I pointed out that ACB members probably aren't average 
>blind people. 30 - 40% of ACB members might be unemployed but that 
>doesn't mean that 30 - 40% of all blind people are unemployed.
>
>NFB members probably aren't average either, especially those who 
>attend conventions. So you probably couldn't get an accurate glimpse 
>into the lives of the average blind person even if you expanded the 
>voting to those not attending the convention. But it would help, IMO.