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<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=696320918-25042011>Edana,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=696320918-25042011></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=696320918-25042011>I hear
you say that this line of clothing is not just for blind and visually impaired
individuals, however your questions certainly point in that direction. I will
try to answer them as concisely and briefly as I can. You need to understand
that we already tag our clothes and look for shirts, pants etc. that have the
size pockets we need whether it is for a pack of cigarettes, a cell phone, or a
color identifier. I guess I should have told you early on that I do have some
useable vision, so some things would not apply to me. As you have noticed I am
forwarding our correspondence to our NFB of Kentucky list serve. If you would
like, others might be interested in replying to your
questions. You will definitely learn about blindness, but I don't think
this is the crowd that will rally around your project.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT size=2
face=Tahoma>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> Edana Hoehn
[mailto:edanahoehn@gmail.com]<BR><B>Sent:</B> Monday, April 25, 2011 8:28
AM<BR><B>To:</B> Cathy<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: Final Design Project for the
Blind<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>Thanks so much for your reply. Here are some questions
that could help me to better understand any frustrations or things that may be
of help when considering design details such as pockets or the placement of tags
with my collection. Again, this collection is not to distinguish those with
vision problems, instead it is going to be designed to help ANYONE better
organize their wardrobe. I am just focusing on those with vision problems to
gain another dimension of research and to focus on organization other than just
by sight. Please feel free to answer some or all of the questions.<BR><BR>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV>1. What are your biggest frustrations when it comes to your vision
loss?<FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=696320918-25042011> There are occasions when I wish I could
drive. Actually, a blind person has driven. Check out <A
href="http://www.nfb.org">www.nfb.org</A>.</SPAN><SPAN
class=696320918-25042011> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV>2. Can you read Braille? If so, how long have you been reading
Braille?<SPAN class=696320918-25042011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial> Yes, for fifty years </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV>3. Explain your closet. For example, is it organized by color or
style? <SPAN class=696320918-25042011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial> Mostly by seasons </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV>4. How do you know what you are choosing or wearing? Is it organized a
certain way?<SPAN class=696320918-25042011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial> Not organized and I do have some
vision. </FONT></SPAN><BR></DIV>
<DIV>5. What would make choosing an outfit easier?<SPAN
class=696320918-25042011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial> Having
enough money. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV>6. Would Braille and raised textures on clothing be of help to you? If so,
where on the garment would it be most effective and in what ways could you
utilize this?<SPAN class=696320918-25042011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial> We already have tags that can be put into clothing for
easy identification. We usually place them on already existing tags. As far as
raised textures, clothing is already tactile. There are such
distinguishing things as buttons, rhinestones, long sleeves, ruffles, and the
feel of the fabric.. </FONT></SPAN> <BR></DIV>7. If I
were to create a coding system, besides color, size, fabric and wash
instructions, is there anything else that may be helpful to you? For example, a
system that makes it easy to distinguish which items can be matched with other
items? <SPAN class=696320918-25042011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial> Again, we use tags. cut a notch in the label, or put a
safety pen in the garment. Washing instructions are pretty basic
and if we have any concerns we ask about them before we purchase the item.
</FONT></SPAN>
<DIV>8. Is there anything specific you must have with you at all times? For
example, something that requires a specific pocket size?<FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=696320918-25042011> No</SPAN><SPAN
class=696320918-25042011> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV>9. Is there a type of clothing you prefer and/or dislike? Why? For example,
you dislike clothing with obscure pockets or too many buttons?<SPAN
class=696320918-25042011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial> I don't
see the relevance of this question. If I don't like it I don't buy it. We
don't have trouble finding pockets.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV>10. Is there any type of pocket, closure, or garment detail that would be
helpful for such things as a dog accessory, cane, or other useful items to you?
For example, a hook for a cane so that it doesn't fall over when stopped or not
in use...<SPAN class=696320918-25042011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial> A brief case, tote bag or purse will serves this
purpose. A belt loop is a perfect place to hang a cane if one
desires.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><BR></DIV>Any of
your feedback would be helpful. If you have other comments or ideas I would love
to hear those as well. Thanks again!<BR><SPAN class=696320918-25042011><FONT
color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial> I know you are head-long into this project
but I would like to encourage you to abandon it. Again I realize you aren't
knowledgeable about blindness. This fact is even more obvious after reading your
questions. Please believe me when I tell you we don't need special pockets or
hooks, or someone to Braille clothing. These questions are not at all
relevant to sighted people. If they were you wouldn't be asking about pocket
sizes and hooks for such items as dog accessories and canes. You are not the
first person to have the idea to design a line of clothing for the blind and you
won't be the last. The reason there isn't such a thing is simply because it is
not needed. </FONT></SPAN><BR>Edana<BR><BR>
<DIV class=gmail_quote>On Sat, Apr 23, 2011 at 7:47 PM, Cathy <SPAN
dir=ltr><<A href="mailto:cathyj@iglou.com">cathyj@iglou.com</A>></SPAN>
wrote:<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; PADDING-LEFT: 1ex"
class=gmail_quote>
<DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>Hi Edman,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>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.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN></SPAN> </DIV><FONT color=#888888>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>Cathy
Jackson</FONT> </SPAN></DIV></FONT>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT size=2 face=Tahoma>
<DIV class=im>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> Edana Hoehn
[mailto:<A href="mailto:edanahoehn@gmail.com"
target=_blank>edanahoehn@gmail.com</A>]<BR></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV class=h5><B>Sent:</B> Friday, April 22, 2011 1:19 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
Cathy<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: Final Design Project for the
Blind<BR><BR></DIV></DIV></FONT></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV class=h5>Hi Cathy,
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>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. </DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Hope you enjoy your weekend. Happy Friday.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Edana</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV class=gmail_quote>On Fri, Apr 22, 2011 at 11:53 AM, Cathy <SPAN
dir=ltr><<A href="mailto:cathyj@iglou.com"
target=_blank>cathyj@iglou.com</A>></SPAN> wrote:<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; PADDING-LEFT: 1ex"
class=gmail_quote>
<DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>Edman,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>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. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>Check out <A
href="http://www.nfb.org" target=_blank>www.nfb.org</A> and <A
href="http://www.nfbky.org"
target=_blank>www.nfbky.org</A>.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV><FONT color=#888888>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>Cathy Jackson,
President</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>National Federation of the
Blind of Kentucky</FONT></SPAN></DIV></FONT>
<DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT size=2 face=Tahoma>-----Original
Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> Edana Hoehn [mailto:<A
href="mailto:edanahoehn@gmail.com"
target=_blank>edanahoehn@gmail.com</A>]<BR><B>Sent:</B> Friday, April 22,
2011 10:27 AM<BR><B>To:</B> <A href="mailto:president@nfbky.org"
target=_blank>president@nfbky.org</A><BR><B>Subject:</B> Final Design
Project for the Blind<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>Hi Cathy,
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>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. </DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Edana</DIV><BR>-- <BR>Edana Hoehn<BR>University of
Cincinnati<BR>Fashion Design: Product Development<BR><A
href="mailto:edanahoehn@gmail.com" target=_blank><FONT
color=#000000>edanahoehn@gmail.com</FONT></A><BR><A href="tel:419.234.4449"
target=_blank
value="+14192344449">419.234.4449</A><BR></DIV></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR><BR
clear=all><BR>-- <BR>Edana Hoehn<BR>University of Cincinnati<BR>Fashion
Design: Product Development<BR><A href="mailto:edanahoehn@gmail.com"
target=_blank><FONT color=#000000>edanahoehn@gmail.com</FONT></A><BR><A
href="tel:419.234.4449" target=_blank
value="+14192344449">419.234.4449</A><BR></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR><BR
clear=all><BR>-- <BR>Edana Hoehn<BR>University of Cincinnati<BR>Fashion Design:
Product Development<BR><A href="mailto:edanahoehn@gmail.com" target=_blank><FONT
color=#000000>edanahoehn@gmail.com</FONT></A><BR>419.234.4449<BR></BODY></HTML>