[Nfbk] Courtesy Rules of Blindness

[Melanie Peskoe]

At our chapter meeting today we played NFB Jeopardy. One of the questions that came up was about the Courtesy Rules of Blindness. We discovered that many of us have limited knowledge of these rules, but they can be a very useful and effective tool for creating awareness among our sighted friends and family. Kevin was very kind to look them up during the meeting (hooray for technology!) and post them to this list. Thanks, Kevin. If you weren’t there today, you missed a good meeting. We had lots of conversation, information and some tasty snacks! I hope to see you at our meeting in July. Stay tuned for more details soon! 

Sincerely,

Melanie 

From: Nfbk [mailto:nfbk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kevin Pearl
Sent: Saturday, May 18, 2013 2:04 PM
To: NFBK
Subject: [Nfbk] Courtesy Rules of Blindness

 


THE COURTESY RULES OF BLINDNESS


Ten simple, straightforward pointers which encourage sighted persons to feel comfortable and at ease with blind persons, is also helpful to know.


When you meet me don't be ill at ease. It will help both of us if you remember these simple points of courtesy:


1.	I'm an ordinary person, just blind. You don't need to raise your voice or address me as if I were a child. Don't ask my spouse what I want'"Cream in the coffee?"'ask me.
2.	I may use a long white cane or a guide dog to walk independently; or I may ask to take your arm. Let me decide, and please don't grab my arm; let me take yours. I'll keep a half-step behind to anticipate curbs and steps.
3.	I want to know who's in the room with me. Speak when you enter. Introduce me to the others. Include children, and tell me if there's a cat or dog.
4.	The door to a room or cabinet or to a car left partially open is a hazard to me.
5.	At dinner I will not have trouble with ordinary table skills.
6.	Don't avoid words like "see." I use them, too. I'm always glad to see you.
7.	I don't want pity. But don't talk about the "wonderful compensations" of blindness. My sense of smell, touch, or hearing did not improve when I became blind. I rely on them more and, therefore, may get more information through those senses than you do'that's all.
8.	If I'm your houseguest, show me the bathroom, closet, dresser, window'the light switch, too. I like to know whether the lights are on.
9.	I'll discuss blindness with you if you're curious, but it's an old story to me. I have as many other interests as you do.
10.	Don't think of me as just a blind person. I'm just a person who happens to be blind.

In all 50 states, the law requires drivers to yield the right of way when they see my extended white cane. Only the blind may carry white canes. You see more blind persons today walking alone, not because there are more of us, but because we have learned to make our own way.

For more information about gifts, bequests, programs for the blind, or other matters concerning blindness or the blind, contact the local chapter in your area or contact:

The National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street
     at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
Phone:  <tel:410-659-9314> 410-659-9314
E-mail:  <mailto:nfb at nfb.org> nfb at nfb.org

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20130518/6ffc4607/attachment.html>