[Travelandtourism] What's important to you as a blind air traveler?

Tue May 5 13:58:24 UTC 2015

Not sure what your point is with reference to what I said. I did not talk about appearance of blindness.

Sent from my iPhone

> On May 5, 2015, at 3:23 AM, Cheryl Echevarria via Travelandtourism <travelandtourism at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Trevor:
> 
> No one knows until we tell them.
> 
> No one knows I am blind because I don't look blind, or I am not blind enough.
> 
> I don't look diabetic, but I have had low blood sugar and shake for no apparent reason.
> 
> We need to educate and advocate. If we don't then there is no reason for the NFB. We will always have to be polite and better than the other person to educate them. 
> 
> Also, put your foot down! If they still don't do what you ask, ask for management. 
> 
> Cheryl Echevarria, President
> National Federation of the Blind's Travel and Tourism Division
> A proud division of the 
> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND - "Live the life you want"
> www.nfbtravel.org
> 631-236-5138
> cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com
> 
> 
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.
> 
> 
> Cheryl Echevarria 
> Travel is our specialty and offering the best of meaningful travel for all ages is our passion!
> http://www.echevarriatravel.com
> reservations at echevarriatravel.com
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> 
> Visit my website to get my FREE report, “Top 5 Good Reasons to Use a Travel Professional”
> 
> I build my business on referrals. Please pass my details on to friends and
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> 
> P.S. – Families of all sizes is my specialty. Whether you are just starting out and looking for that romantic destination for your destination wedding or honeymoon. Booking that planned family vacation to Walt Disney World or that bucket list trip that Grandma  & Grandpa are planning for the family, I would love to help you. 
> 
> We have partnered with Braille Smith. www.braillesmith.com for all her braille needs.  Gail Smith is the Secretary of the NFB of Alabama
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Travelandtourism [mailto:travelandtourism-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Trevor Attenberg via Travelandtourism
> Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2015 2:39 AM
> To: NFB Travel and Tourism Division List
> Cc: tattenberg at gmail.com
> Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] What's important to you as a blind air traveler?
> 
> 
> What an excellent  question.
> I would like airport and airline staff to be less condescending and overbearingly custodial. They should provide directions when asked instead of insisting on following the blind customer around or calling for a wheelchair. They should thus know how to provide verbal directions.  It should be assumed that blind people do not need a wheelchair unless it is specifically requested. It should also be assumed that blind people can board the plane without assistance and without boarding before everyone else. Special assistance should be requested and not expected.   Staff at the security check points especially need to remember such protocol. Blind people are allowed to bring their cane through the metal detector. Blind people should not be grabbed, pulled, or pushed without permission. If rules are being broken then blind people should be vocally warned before physical contact. It should be assumed that blind people can move through the airport unescorted; and they can use stairs, escalators, and moving walkways just like everyone else. They do not necessarily need elevators.
> I realize that many blind people, including several on this list do have additional needs, and thus require extra assistance. But a good universal policy is to allow people to ask for help rather than allowing assumptions of relative helplessness to prevail. I also know that sometimes it is very helpful if not necessary for blind people to get personal escorts from place to place in an airport; but again, blind people need to be allowed to practice free will. And I would like to see airport staff and other people home their verbal skills.
> Best,
> Trevor
>   .
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On May 4, 2015, at 9:59 PM, Ivonne Mosquera via Travelandtourism <travelandtourism at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> It would be helpful to have an independent way of calling or texting for assistance, once a flight has landed, to facilitate with connections or exiting the airport. This is typically left up to the flight attendants or the gate agents, and they often forget or take a long time to do it.
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> Ivonne
>> www.iminmotion.net
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ------------------------------
>>> On Tue, May 5, 2015 12:49 AM EDT Phil via Travelandtourism wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi everyone,
>>> 
>>> My name is Phil. Hope everyone is doing well. This is my first time 
>>> posting to the Travel and Tourism list but certainly not my first 
>>> time posting to nfbnet lists. smile I’d like to hear your opinion on 
>>> this… I’m doing a research project on blind and visually impaired 
>>> people’s air travel experience. In particular I’d am trying to 
>>> compile a list of things that you consider would make an booking 
>>> website, airline or airport “blind-friendly”. Besides obvious things 
>>> like not barring a blind passenger from boarding, accessible kiosks 
>>> and accessible apps, what other things are important for you as a 
>>> blind or visually impaired traveler? It can be both things that are 
>>> already being done or you wish someday they would do, and it can be 
>>> both technology-related or staff or corporate policy or even 
>>> marketing.
>>> I’m trying to look at this from all 360 degrees and compile a long 
>>> list, so please feel free to list as many things as you can think of 
>>> and as brief or detailed as you wish!
>>> Let’s share and see what each other think!
>>> Thanks everyone!
>>> 
>>> Best,
>>> Phil
>>> 
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>>> 99%40yahoo.com
>> 
>> 
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