[nfb-talk] FW: NFB stand on Blind Child Area signs?

[ckrugman at sbcglobal.net]

I know that this has been discussed before on the NFB Blind law list and I 
think that the concensus was that this was a bad idea. In the case that I 
recall the issue was that signage was put up in a locality indicating where 
a blind person lived. Not only would it be considered discriminatory it 
would also create a potential risk in that the person living there could 
become a potential victim. Drivers in all neighborhoods need to be cautious 
where all children are concerned blind or sighted.
Chuck
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Prows, Bennett (HHS/OCR)" <Bennett.Prows at HHS.GOV>
To: "NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List" <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 1:37 PM
Subject: [nfb-talk] FW: NFB stand on Blind Child Area signs?


> Hi Listers,
>
> I can't remember whether we have had any policy statements on the issue 
> raised by Steve Ice's query of me in the E-mail string below, but thought 
> I'd post it for any comments.
>
> Thanks.
>
> /s/
>
> Bennett
>
> From: Prows, Bennett (HHS/OCR)
> Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 1:17 PM
> To: Ice, Steve (ACF)
> Subject: RE: NFB stand on Blind Child Area signs?
>
> Hi Steve,
>
> I don't know that we've adopted a formal resolution on a state or national 
> level, but the issue has come up many times on lists, etc. There is 
> unanimous opposition, and concern about these types of signs.  There have 
> been many instances when individuals, and I think even chapters have 
> fought and had them taken down. They really are disturbing. May I post 
> this to our NFB list?
>
> Thanks.'
>
> /s/
>
> Bennett Prows
>
> From: Ice, Steve (ACF)
> Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 1:01 PM
> To: Prows, Bennett (HHS/OCR)
> Subject: NFB stand on Blind Child Area signs?
>
>
> Ben,
>
> In my neighborhood there are two very large, very prominent, yellow and 
> black cautionary road signs that say "Blind Child Area".
> The signs have been there for 10 to 20 years. I am sure the child is off 
> to college if not on social security by now.
>
> I feel these signs are demeaning and have the untended consequence of 
> spreading the belief that caution is warranted around blind people who 
> cannot otherwise develop orientation and mobility skills to be safe and 
> self sufficient.
>
> Researching the web, I discovered quite a few sign vendors pushing these, 
> a few state application forms in the Southeastern US and at least 2 'you 
> tube' videos made by adolescents who show blind people walking head first 
> into the 'blind child area' signs.
>
> What's next? "My husband has Alzheimer's" signs? "Warning: crack house on 
> this block" signs?
>
> I do not view these as an accommodation such as improved crosswalk 
> stripping or warning bumps on curb cuts because they are not in any way 
> instrumental or accommodating to the blind person's independence.
>
> In any case, I would like to know, before writing the county or state, if 
> NFB has a policy on these types of signs. I feel that a policy statement 
> from those who are blind would go a lot further than my personal opinion.
>
> Steve
>
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