[blindkid] FW: What to do when you meet a sighted person

[Andy & Sally Thomas]

I needed that laugh today.  Thanks Carrie.

Sally Thomas
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Carrie Gilmer" <carrie.gilmer at gmail.com>
To: "'NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)'" 
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 8:12 AM
Subject: [blindkid] FW: What to do when you meet a sighted person


> Laughter is the best medicine. This table turning I found pretty funny, 
> hope
> you enjoy it too.
>
>
>
> Carrie Gilmer, President
> National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
> A Division of the National Federation of the Blind
> NFB National Center: 410-659-9314
> Home Phone: 763-784-8590
> carrie.gilmer at gmail.com
> www.nfb.org/nopbc
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org On Behalf Of Mike Mello
> Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 1:24 AM
>
> What To Do When You Meet A Sighted Person (Author Unknown) People who use
> their eyes to receive information about the world are called sighted 
> people
> or "people who are sighted." Legal "sight" means any visual acuity greater
> then 20/200 in the better eye without correction or an angle of vision 
> wider
>
> than 20 degrees. Sighted people enjoy rich full lives, working, playing, 
> and
>
> raising families. They run businesses, hold public office, and teach your
> children!
>
> How do Sighted People Get Around? People who are sighted may walk or ride
> public transportation, but most choose to travel long distances by 
> operating
>
> their own motor vehicles. They have gone through many hours of training to
> learn the "rules of the road" in order to further their independence. Once
> that road to freedom has been mastered, sighted people earn a legal
> classification and a "Driver's License" which allows them to operate a
> private vehicle safely and independently.
>
> How Do You Assist A Sighted Person? Sighted people are accustomed to 
> viewing
>
> the world in visual terms. This means that in many situations, they will 
> not
>
> be able to communicate orally and may resort to pointing or other 
> gesturing.
>
>
> Subtle facial expressions may also be used to convey feelings in social
> situations. Calmly alert the sighted person to his surroundings by 
> speaking
> slowly, in a normal tone of voice. Questions directed at the sighted 
> person
> help focus attention back on the verbal rather than visual communication.
>
> At times, sighted people may need help finding things, especially when
> operating a motor vehicle. Your advance knowledge of routes and landmarks,
> particularly bumps in the road, tums, and traffic lights, will assist the
> "driver" in finding the way quickly and easily. Your knowledge of building
> layouts can also assist the sighted person in navigating complex shopping
> malls, and offices. Sighted people tend to be very proud and will not ask
> directly for assistance. Be gentle yet firm.
>
> How Do Sighted People Use Computers? The person who is sighted relies
> exclusively on visual information. His or her attention span fades quickly
> when reading long texts. Computer information is presented in a "Graphical
> User Interface" or GUI. Coordination of hands and eyes is often a problem
> for sighted people, so the computer mouse, a handy device that slides 
> along
> the desk top, saves confusing keystrokes. With one button, the sighted
> person can move around his or her computer screen quickly and easily. 
> People
>
> who are sighted are not accustomed to synthetic speech and may have great
> difficulty understanding even the clearest synthesizer. Be patient and
> prepared to explain many times how your computer equipment works.
>
> How Do Sighted People Read? Sighted people read through a system called
> "Print" this is a series of images drawn in a two dimensional plain. 
> People
> who are sighted generally have a poorly developed sense of touch. Braille 
> is
>
> completely foreign to the sighted person and he or she will take longer to
> learn the code and be severely limited by his or her existing visual 
> senses.
>
>
> Sighted people cannot function well in low lighting conditions and are
> generally completely helpless in total darkness. Their homes are usually
> very brightly lit at great expense, as are businesses that cater to the
> sighted consumer.
>
> How Can I Support A Sighted Person? People who are sighted do not want 
> your
> charity. They want to live, work, and play along with you. The best thing
> you can do to support sighted people in your community is to open yourself
> to their world. These Americans are vital contributing members to society.
> Take a sighted person to lunch today!
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> blindkid mailing list
> blindkid at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> blindkid:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/andysally%40comcast.net


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.5/1979 - Release Date: 03/01/09 
17:46:00