[stylist] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #149- Framing Blindness

Thu Sep 17 04:41:38 UTC 2009

okay Robert,
well, if you grow up tall, you've got more likelihood of playing good 
basketball.  if you're a guy and you're big, muscular, sturdy, you're 
better equipped to play football, as a lineman as a guard for example.
so, if blindness is an equivalent sort of trait, then it must have 
advantages as well as disadvantages.  the big football lineman might 
not be a good gymnast, for example.

if the job applicant in your fine thought provoker was applying for a 
telephone CSR position, then one might conclude that in successfully 
functioning as a blind person, he'd learned to listen well, a 
positive attribute for such a job.  we blind people aren't distracted 
by appearances.

or, his experience in mental mapping as an independent travel blind 
person might also make his mind sharper for thinking through a 
computer program algorithm.

there's a couple examples.
jc
Jim Canaday M.A.
Lawrence, KS

At 04:13 AM 9/16/2009, you wrote:
>Jim, What would be an example of what you are saying?  Thank you
>
>
>
>Robert Leslie Newman
>Email- newmanrl at cox.net
>THOUGHT PROVOKER Website-
>Http://www.thoughtprovoker.info
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>Behalf Of James Canaday M.A. N6YR
>Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 10:01 PM
>To: Writer's Division Mailing List
>Subject: Re: [stylist] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #149- Framing Blindness
>
>Robert,
>this is  good and I especially appreciated the  feel of the whole piece, the
>human interaction.
>however, as it is about framing blindness, shouldn't the applicant have come
>back in the third time with what you gave him to say, plus  one or more
>reasons that blindness was in fact a positive in his favor as an applicant?
>jc
>Jim Canaday M.A.
>Lawrence, KS
>
>At 10:07 PM 9/14/2009, you wrote:
> >Fellow Writers
> >RE:  Framing Blindness
> >
> >Here is my latest THOUGHT PROVOKER. It is all about a principle of
> >communication that we as writers do have an awareness of --- "Framing"
> >and getting across the correct message, is all in the words you use.
> >The main character in this TP149 gets 2 chances to re-frame his
> >delivery. If you have not read the PROVOKER, it follows.  Recall that I
> >collect responses and post them upon my web site for all the WWW to read
>and learn from and that URL
> >is- Http://thoughtprovoker.info <http://thoughtprovoker.info/>   If you
>wish
> >to receive THOUGHT PROVOKERS sent directly to you, just write me and
> >ask,
> >at-  newmanrl at cox.net
> >
> >
> >THOUGHT PROVOKER 149
> >Framing Blindness
> >
> >"sir, I'm looking for a job. I heard you have several openings. As you
> >can see," the young blind man held up his white cane in emphasis as he
> >addressed the business owner, "I am blind and because of it, I'm having
> >a very tough time getting employment. Did you know that nearly 80% of
> >the blind are unemployed? For centuries, blindness has been viewed as
> >the worst handicap a human can have, but it is all a lie, a great
> >misunderstanding. With the right tools," raising his cane again, "a
> >cane or dog guide, and with Braille or for some, large print and other
> >blindness skills, we can do most jobs, just as good as a sighted
> >person. But we don't usually get a chance to prove it." lifting the
> >cane for a third time. "Usually people can't see past this and we get
> >pity, doubting thoughts and seldom an equal chance. Would you give me a try
>in one of your job openings?"
> >
> >"No, I won't. And I'm going to tell you why." The business owner,
> >Ernest tone in his voice, palms flat on the counter top, leaned
> >forward. "I listened to you, heard every word, processed the
> >difficulties you laid out concerning the non-acceptance and
> >unemployment of the blind. But think about how you framed your story
> >and what you set me up to think. You walked in, gave me the woes about
> >being blind, hit me with 5 negatives, to one positive and you want me to
>think you've got what I'm looking for in an employee?"
> >Slapping a palm on the counter top in emphasis. "But this is what I'll
> >consider --- I want you to go back outside, take a minute to think
> >about how you need to present yourself to me, then come back in and try
> >your spiel again. But concentrate on telling what you can do for me."
> >
> >Surprised at the businessman's response, the blind guy knotted,
> >accepting the challenge, turned and using the best cane technique he
> >had, exited the building. Minutes later he came back in.
> >
> >"sir, you are looking to hire a customer service representative. I
> >believe I have the skills to fill the position." Indicating the cane in
> >his hand, "As you can see, I am blind and if you would hear me out, I
> >would like to explain how I feel I can make this a success." Getting a
> >go-ahead sound, he continued. "Your job add listed a requirement of
> >competency with a PC. I use a PC every day.  And how it works for me, I
> >use what is called screen reading software, it's voice output. This
> >software will usually work with most computer applications. And if we
> >find that it doesn't work right out of the box with your companies
> >system, we could call my state rehab counselor and she can have her IT
> >specialist come in and evaluate your system and tweak my special
> >software to work with yours. Second, you require customer service
> >experience and though I haven't been paid to perform that duty, I've
> >had a couple of volunteer positions in which customer service was part of
>my responsibilities."
> >
> >"The answer is still no. Better, but still not good enough. I now know
> >that you have abilities, special tools and some backup to aid you if
> >you need technical assistance. However, though I'm feeling there is
> >employment potential, but it appears to come with an equal weight of
> >potential problems that I would have to overcome. So no again. Go back
> >out, rethink and come back in and convince me that you are the best person
>for the job."
> >
> >Not fully surprised, though somewhat dismayed, yet encouraged, the
> >blind guy knotted, turned and exited the building. Minutes later he came
>back in.
> >
> >"Sir," reaching out his right hand to give a shake in greeting, "my
> >name is John. You have an opening for a customer service rep, it is one
> >of my best skills and I want to talk to you about hiring me for the
> >job. I'm a very competent PC user. I have references I will present
> >that will vouch for my ability and reliability to be at work every day,
> >on time and that I always give 110% to the job. May I talk to you about
>your position?"
> >
> >"Yes, let's talk," responded the business owner.
> >
> >
> >
> >Robert Leslie Newman
> >Email- newmanrl at cox.net
> >THOUGHT PROVOKER Website-
> >Http://www.thoughtprovoker.info
> >
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