[stylist] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #149- Framing Blindness

Thu Sep 17 06:19:39 UTC 2009

I agree, however I like the way it was put as it is. The employer
wanted a person, never mind blind or sighted. He wanted to see the
personal atributes and see the person first. Blindness could be
brought up later in the interview. I don't walk up to people and
introduce myself as, Hi my name's Aziza and I'm blind but... and
launch into NFB philosophy. You teach as you go. So, this blind guy
should've simply asked to talk about the job and explain the reason
for his interest. Later in the interview the employer would be given
more information about how to handle blindness in this type of job.

Just my thoughts.
Aziza

On 9/16/09, James Canaday M.A.  N6YR <n6yr at sunflower.com> wrote:
> 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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