[Nfbk] Final Design Project for the Blind

[Cathy]

Hi Edman,

I am truly glad that you responded to my email. I realize you are not
familiar with blindness and your intentions are well-meaning. You have to
realize that the blind are subject to so many projects, surveys, tests,
interviews etc. that we have grown weary of it all.  There was a gentleman a
few months ago, just one of many I might add, that wanted us to take a
survey about our sex lives. I still don't think he believes blind people
even have sex much less enjoy it. I hope you can see where I am coming from.
Back to your project, blind people already tag their clothing using many
methods.  Basically, you are re-inventing the wheel. We don't consider
tagging clothes a major problem, certainly not one that would cause us to
approach clothing manufacturers to have this feature.built in.  We would be
more likely to work with a clothing company to ask them to employing blind
people. I hope you have had the time to visit the web sites I gave you so
that you can learn about our philosophy and our expectations for the blind.
I would consider it a pleasure to continue dialoging with you.

Cathy Jackson
-----Original Message-----
From: Edana Hoehn [mailto:edanahoehn at gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 1:19 PM
To: Cathy
Subject: Re: Final Design Project for the Blind


Hi Cathy,


I sincerely apologize if my project in any way sounds as though I am in any
way saying that the visually impaired are incapable for any reason. That was
not my intent at all, and I sincerely apologize if it came across that way.
My project is based upon aiding those with vision problems, those who may be
color blind, and also those who do not have vision problems of any sort. The
clothes are not going to look different from what you could buy in a
department store. Instead, however, they are going to focus on a tagging
system that incorporates Braille, bolder fonts and other small details that
could make a person's wardrobe easier to manage and navigate. The product's
focus will be to make organization of one's closet much easier for all, but
I focused on those who depend upon other senses other than sight to do so
because it takes the process to another dimension and gives a deeper meaning
as to why a tag is in a certain place, why a pocket is a certain size or in
a specific location, etc.


Again I apologize for any misunderstanding and would love to hear any
feedback you may have if you are still interested in hearing insights that I
have come across.


Hope you enjoy your weekend. Happy Friday.


Edana


On Fri, Apr 22, 2011 at 11:53 AM, Cathy <cathyj at iglou.com> wrote:

  Edman,

  I would like for you to forward me the questions you might have regarding
your project to design a line of clothing for the blind and visually
impaired. However, probably not for the reasons you would like. My question
to you is, why do you believe blind persons need a specially designed line
of clothing? We are quite capable of wearing the same clothing found on the
racks in department stores. We can coordinate our clothing as well as
sighted individuals. It is off-the-wall projects such as yours that lead the
general public to believe blind people are less than capable. I would like
to refer you to our web sites so that you can learn more about blindness and
the work of the National Federation of the Blind and the National Federation
of the Blind of Kentucky. We are the largest membership organization of the
blind speaking for the blind.
  Check out www.nfb.org and www.nfbky.org.

  Cathy Jackson, President
  National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky

  -----Original Message-----
  From: Edana Hoehn [mailto:edanahoehn at gmail.com]
  Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 10:27 AM
  To: president at nfbky.org
  Subject: Final Design Project for the Blind


  Hi Cathy,


  My name is Edana Hoehn and I am a senior design student at the University
of Cincinnati. For my senior design project, I am developing a line of
clothing for the blind and visually impaired. I recently visited the
American Printing House for the Blind and was given your contact information
from Katie Carpenter. I am trying to continue my research to be able to
better design for my target market. I was wondering if I would be able to
send along some specific questions to you to gain further insights in order
to better design more efficient products.  If you are visually impaired or
blind, your insights would be very much appreciated. If not, if there is
someone that you could put me in contact with I would appreciate that as
well.


  Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.


  Edana

  --
  Edana Hoehn
  University of Cincinnati
  Fashion Design: Product Development
  edanahoehn at gmail.com
  419.234.4449




--
Edana Hoehn
University of Cincinnati
Fashion Design: Product Development
edanahoehn at gmail.com
419.234.4449
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