[nfbwatlk] FW: [List] Paul RE: Oriano; Blind Cafe

Wed Jun 13 20:24:29 UTC 2012

This discussion has created a great deal of interest on the CFB list.  I
thought you might like to read some of the thoughts from here.

-----Original Message-----
From: list-bounces at cfb.ca [mailto:list-bounces at cfb.ca] On Behalf Of
list at cfb.ca
Sent: June 13, 2012 10:51 AM
To: list at cfb.ca
Subject: [List] Paul RE: Oriano; Blind Cafe

from Elizabeth

Paul, I agree with you. I think you explain this well.

It isn't that I don't think the Blind Cafe idea is fun and interesting, but
I would much prefer if the blind servers at the cafe / fundraiser  served
guests who were simply guests. That is the point to teach people the
capabilities of blind people.
----- Original Message -----
From: <list at cfb.ca>
To: <list at cfb.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 10:36 AM
Subject: [List] Paul RE: Oriano; Blind Cafe

I've always wondered:  For blind people to prepare and serve food, why do
the diners have to be blindfolded?  It's not as if blind people can't
prepare and serve food!  Clearly they can, because they do it when the
sighted diners are blindfolded.  But, as soon as there are no blindfolds,
the blind don't serve anymore.  I wonder why
So, if we have to blindfold the sighted to give the blind the confidence to
serve food, so be it.  But, surely, there would come a time where the blind
would ask the sighted:  "If you can enjoy our service blindfolded, don't you
think that you could enjoy our service with your eyes open?  Would your eyes
govern your feelings  to such an extent that, by having them open, you
really would  feel it necessary to invalidate what you know that we can do
well?
Part of the reason that there aren't more blind people in the service
industries, is because blind people themselves don't think that they should
be there.  They learn this from the sighted, and they internalize it.

All The Best

Paul

-----Original Message-----
From: list-bounces at cfb.ca [mailto:list-bounces at cfb.ca] On Behalf Of
list at cfb.ca
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 2:55 AM
To: list at cfb.ca
Subject: [List] Oriano; Blind Cafe

Well, maybe we should start out involving blind people in such a dining
fundraiser.  We could still make the place dark and get people to wear sleep
shades for a good total experience for all.  As long as there is beer and
good food, I could be persuaded to attend and if anyone nocks over my beer
they are buying another one.  And, if anyone uses the phrase "I can't see",
as an excuse for spilling or whatever they have to pay a 2 dollar fine.
Last year there was an advertised dine in the dark event held somewhere on
the Gorge but I never heard how it went over.

Oriano
----- Original Message -----
From: <list at cfb.ca>
To: <list at cfb.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 10:59 AM
Subject: Re: [List] Rick; Blind Cafe

> Wow! i've always wondered how it would be like to do this. a friend that
> some of you know, Lois from tactile colour, used to talk with me
> incessantly
> about doing something of this nature. of course that was some years ago
> before she passed on. but alot of the ideas we used to share and were
> excited about have stayed with me. though at the time we wanted to put
> together some kind of an event around food, entertainment and eating in
> the
> dark, we weren't able to put our ideas in to action. so who else might be
> inspired besides me? smile! thanks for posting this Rick!
> hugs! miriam
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <list at cfb.ca>
> To: <list at cfb.ca>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 12:12 AM
> Subject: [List] Rick; Blind Cafe
>
>
> Many of us think these events dubious.  But it seems at least one
> Federationist is enthused about them.
>
> Food for thought, so to speak.
>
>
> From NFBW list:
>
>
> Forwarded message
>
> Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2012 17:48:12 -0400 (EDT)
> From: mjc59 at q.com
> Reply-To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
> To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [nfbwatlk] the blind cafe
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Greetings all,
>
>
> I would like to share my experience as a volunteer at the recent Blind
> Cafe
> events in Seattle. Despite the concerns of many (myself included), the
> evenings were very positive.
>
>
>
> The room was completely dark. Electrical tape and heavy fabric blocked all
> sources of light. We led guests into the dining area, using our canes and
> talking with them as we did so. We seated them at their assigned tables.
> Their food was already on the tables. The meal was actually more like hors
> d'ouvres than dinner. There was fruit, chunks of marinated vegetables,
> bread
> with oil for dipping and bottled water. After they were seated there was a

> Q
> and A session where we answered some of the usual questions about
> blindness.
> On the 2nd night, following our suggestion, some of us sat at the guest
> tables rather than at the volunteer table. We returned to each table
> several
> times throughout the evening to check in with folks, bring more food and
> water, and answer more questions. The Blind Cafe was founded in Boulder,
> Colorado by a sighted man and my good friend Gerry Leary. While Gerry did
> not attend the Seattle events, he tells me that he has participated in
> nearly 20 others, and that all have gone extremely well. Two other blind
> guys, Jim Jackson and Rick Hammond, travel around and help before and
> during
> the show. They are both graduates of the Colorado Center for the Blind and
> thoroughly embody Federation philosophy.
>
>
>
> After dinner the blind volunteers served dessert. On the first night the
> two
> out-of-town guys did this. On the 2nd night, per our suggestion, Mike and
> Cindy also served dessert. Following the meal there was a short concert
> performed by Rosh (The Blind Cafe coordinator) and some others. The music
> was pleasant and there was a little sing-along at the end. Then candles
> were
> lit and we stayed for more discussion. I personally talked with many
> sighted
> guests. They did not come away from their experience with a bleak view of
> blindness nor did they think that we are all amazing.
>
>
>
> During the evening, as well as in the materials distributed beforehand, it
> was made clear to all of the guests that they were NOT experiencing what
> it
> is like to live as a blind person. The Blind Cafe is a community-building
> dinner and concert with blind people like us as integral parts of the
> evenings. You can go to their website, www.theblindcafe.com to learn more
> about its creation and mission
>
>
>
> On the 2nd night each guest was given a braille alphabet card to check out
> after they left. The card also contained contact information for the
> Greater
> Seattle Chapter (courtesy of Mary Helen Scheiber). The Blind Cafe
> organization handles all of the ticket sales and promotion ($70 per
> person).
> There were about 100 guests each night. Our chapter will receive 10% of
> the
> proceeds. If there is enough interest in Seattle, there will be more shows
> in the future.
>
>
>
> I came away from this experience with a VERY positive feeling. I would not
> only volunteer again, but would promote future events. I know there will
> always be those who will never believe that any good can come from these
> events. I am no longer one of those people.
>
>
>
> Marci Carpenter
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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