[nfbwatlk] NFB Cane-Related Airlines Incident

[Michael Forzano]

I'm not sure how to feel about this thread. First off, I agree with
Arielle that the story seems odd and I don't feel like we have all of
the facts. I think it's dangerous to jump to conclusions and assume
something is discrimination without first hearing both sides of the
story.

Secondly is it really such a big deal that your cane can't be next to
you by the window? I'm a dog user so am not familiar with the laws
surrounding this but it doesn't surprise me that this could be viewed
as a safety concern. Putting it in the overhead is a great idea. I can
totally understand wanting to know where it is but this idea of almost
deliberately provoking a confrontation by bringing a long cane and
refusing to compromise, as some have been implying they would do,
accomplishes nothing and makes blind people look bad in general.

Mike

On 3/25/15, Les via nfbwatlk <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Ok I could live with that barely.
>
> Les Fitzpatrick
> Registered Piano Technician
> Community Resource Coordinator AccessaMed
> www.accessamed.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbwatlk [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Arielle
> Silverman via nfbwatlk
> Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2015 2:28 PM
> To: Debby Phillips; NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] NFB Cane-Related Airlines Incident
>
> There's a third option people haven't really mentioned. You can put your
> cane up in the overhead bin. I've done that a few times when either it
> wouldn't fit by the window or the flight attendant mistakenly thought it
> wasn't allowed by the window. Putting your cane up overhead pacifies the
> flight attendants without making you lose access to your cane if you need
> it. If asked to put it up, I stow it with the flight attendant watching, or
> we stow it together, and I make sure it is close to my seat. I explain that
> I want to be compliant but I also want to know where my cane is in the
> event
> of an emergency.
> This has always worked fine. Again, it's best to put it by the window, but
> in the occasional event that putting it by the window presents a problem,
> putting it up overhead is a good compromise. Just make sure it's anchored
> behind another bag so it doesn't fall on your head when you go to take it
> down.
> Best, Arielle
>
> On 3/25/15, Debby Phillips via nfbwatlk <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Julie, not ragging on you for giving them the cane, but when people do
>> that it does make it harder for those of us who don't want to give up
>> our canes.  I'LL gladly give it up if it won't fit between the wall
>> and the window, but I'm not giving it up if it fits.  It's illegal for
>> them to ask it, and I'm not giving my cane up.  Hopefully there will
>> be no incidents the next time ow have to fly Alaska.  Of course, I
>> still might only have my funky folding cane.  I remember reading
>> articles in old Braille Monitors about people refusing to give up
>> their canes and being arrested.  It's kind of like I won't leave a
>> restaurant when I have my dog just because somebody doesn't know the
>> law.  People have fought too hard for the rights we have to give up
>> our canes
>> and/oor dogs.    Peace,    Debby
>>
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>
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