[nfbwatlk] FW: NFB stand on Blind Child Area signs?

[Mary Ellen]

There used to be deaf child signs in Ohio.  One of the funniest was a sign
that said "Slow! Children."  My parents commented that their children were
anything but slow.  The local agency for the blind in Toledo used to have a
sign that said "Blind Crossing," somewhat like "Cattle Crossing."  As my
friend Pete Grunwald put it when a similar sign was posted near the
Lighthouse in Chicago "The blind cross here, but nowhere else."  One could
argue that having such signs actually makes us less safe, since drivers
won't expect us in places without special signs.  In Kelowna, they should
have a sign warning drivers that pedestrians actually exist.  Many people
here get behind the wheel and act as if automobiles are all that's on the
roads.  Heaven help those who walk or bike!

 

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Mike Freeman
Sent: August 28, 2012 4:52 PM
To: 'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] FW: NFB stand on Blind Child Area signs?

Ben:

You are correct. I am unaware of any official NFB policy regarding these
"BLIND CHILD" signs. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that were a
resolution to come before the national convention opposing such signs, it
would be passed unanimously.

As you say, there have been many local protests of these signs including, I
believe, one involving Kris Kolcock here in Washington. Invariably, the NFB
members confronted with such signs are angry at the stereotyping and the
implication that somehow blind people (from childhood on up to adulthood)
are unsafer than are sighted persons. It's the old saw that the sighted bear
responsibility beyond the norm for the safety/welfare of the blind. Isn't it
funny that we don't see DEAF CHILD signs, even in neighborhoods with
railroad tracks?

Mike Freeman


-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Prows, Bennett (HHS/OCR)
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 1:38 PM
To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List
Cc: NFB Talk Mailing List
Subject: [nfbwatlk] 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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