[stylist] Off-topic- please read my blog

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

I've had people here try to guide me around by grabbing the cane, which
I usually don't allow, but I've also learned the differences in some
cultures when it comes to disability.  Depending on the circumstance and
the relationship, I temper my responses and at times even allow certain
behavior because of the cultural divide.  It is generally frowned upon
to grab a blind person's cane, but with some cultures, not only do they
not know better, but their concept of disability makes Americans look
like super progressive forward thinking individuals.

While it is always important to educate, and we should work towards
creating better mindsets worldwide when it comes to disability, we also
have to be careful how we respond and react to those who are not from a
culture where disability is not considered the dregs of society.

And of course when in other countries, we really need to be mindful
about how we handle such a situation.  I had a conversation once with
someone who was enraged they were not allowed to bring their service dog
with them inside many places while on a trip abroad once.  They ranted
and ranted about rights and the ADA, and I finally had to pipe up and
explain that not every country has similar ideas and laws, and American
laws do not apply outside the country.  This person, who is an
intelligent person, was taken aback.  They hadn't ever considered the
fact that our laws about service animals were not accepted worldwide.

In the scenario you paint, if there were a better understanding of how a
cane can be used to its fullest ability. People would understand just
how effective it is.  For instance, if a blind person in Africa used the
shoulder-to-shoulder motion with a cane that was a proper length, the
cane would find thorn bushes allowing the person to avoid them, and they
would not require a person to pull them through, which may be more
dangerous because if being pulled by the cane, the blind person is
simply left to trail behind with no protection on either side of them.
In this case, sighted guide would be safer than pulling someone by their
cane.  This is an example of how we should try to affect mindsets on a
worldwide scale- though in most of Africa, I think they have much bigger
concerns at this point in time.

So my point is that we should never accept limitations and ignorant
attitudes, but we also have to be aware of cultural differences and
modify our presentations accordingly.

Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Editor, Slate & Style
Publication of the National Federation of the Blind
NFB-Writers division website:
 <http://www.nfb-writers-division.> http://www.nfb-writers-division.net


.Message: 14
Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2011 12:56:23 -0400
From: "Jacobson, Shawn D" <Shawn.D.Jacobson at hud.gov>
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List' <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] Please read my blog
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Bridgit

Nice blog, love the joke.

One experience I did have with a cane was when I was in Toronto and a
hotel worker grabbed the end of the cane and pulled me around with it.
Later I learned that this is common in Africa because the guiding person
can keep the blind person out of thorn trees.

Just thought I'd pass that along.

Shawn