[nabs-l] Finding seats VI that does not use cane or dog

[Jamie P.]

I didn't use a white cane for years growing up, and didn't start until I
was almost out of high school. Now, in college, there are rare occasions
when I go without my cane and know what you mean by having to walk up and
down the rows of tables to find an empty seat. There are a few things that
I do, whether I have my cane or not, that have worked for me.

1. Walk up and down the rows. I used to worry that people were staring at
me and thought I looked stupid, or creepy, too, but have learned that most
often, no one notices. I've even known sightlings who do the same thing
when they're looking for seats in a crowded place.

2. Just walk past the end of each row. Stop and ask someone seated at the
end "Excuse me, are there any empty seats in this row?" A simple yes or no
question is easier for a lot of people than finding a seat for you. If they
say yes, walk down the row until you find it. If they say no, try another
row.

3. If you need to ask someone to just find you a seat, say something like
"Excuse me, can you please help me find an empty seat? I can't see well and
don't want to distract people." At that point, they shouldn't have any
questions for you.

Best,

Jamie


On Thu, Sep 19, 2013 at 2:29 PM, Suzanne Germano <sgermano at asu.edu> wrote:

> Not sure. I already have a lunch box on it. I can't bring smaller than half
> gallon because I am gone for 12 hours on Tuesday and thursday and really
> don't want to pay for water. I swear I need an assistant to help carry all
> my stuff lol.
>
>
> On Thu, Sep 19, 2013 at 12:11 PM, Anjelina Cruz <anjelinac26 at gmail.com
> >wrote:
>
> > Could a bigger thermos attach to your bag so you'd have a hand free
> > for a lightweight id cane?
> >
> > On 9/19/13, Suzanne Germano <sgermano at asu.edu> wrote:
> > > It would be very difficult I use a roller bag because I carry 30lbs of
> > > equipment with me portable cctv, laptop etc and then I have to bring
> 1/2
> > > gallon of water in the other hand since I am on the surface of the sun
> in
> > > phoenix. I tried a backback but there is not one big enough for all the
> > > crap I bring.
> > >
> > >
> > > On Thu, Sep 19, 2013 at 11:38 AM, justin williams <
> > > justin.williams2 at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > >> Carry a cane would be my answer. Without it, it is diffidult to
> > indentify
> > >> you as visually impaired.
> > >>
> > >> -----Original Message-----
> > >> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Suzanne
> > >> Germano
> > >> Sent: Thursday, September 19, 2013 2:12 PM
> > >> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> > >> Subject: [nabs-l] Finding seats VI that does not use cane or dog
> > >>
> > >> I don't use a cane or dog but when I walk into a room like the
> > >> engineering
> > >> tutoring center, I find it very hard to know where an empty seat is.
> > >> these
> > >> are tables that hold 6-8 people.
> > >>
> > >> Being someone use does not use a cane I find people difficult if you
> say
> > >> for
> > >> example "I am visually impaired would you mind showing me where an
> empty
> > >> seat is" It seems they have to go through the song and dance of "you
> > >> don't
> > >> look blind" "why don't you get glasses" but rarely answer the
> question.
> > >>
> > >> Because I am not obviously visually impaired I feel very uncomfortable
> > >> just
> > >> walking up and down between all the tables looking for a spot when
> just
> > >> off
> > >> to the side I may have missed one. I feel like everyone is wondering
> > what
> > >> the hell I am doing and thinking I look stupid.
> > >>
> > >> I know this comes from years and years and years of being teased and
> no
> > >> one
> > >> understanding legally blind and I should just get over feeling like
> they
> > >> think I look stupid. But in the meantime does anyone have any good
> > >> techniques?
> > >>
> > >> I did use a cane in high school. Partially for identification and
> partly
> > >> for
> > >> mobility but I still had issues with people because I would ALWAYS get
> > >> the
> > >> comment "Your not blind" They could never just answer my question like
> > >> what
> > >> bus is this
> > >>
> > >> Suzanne
> > >> _______________________________________________
> > >> nabs-l mailing list
> > >> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> > >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> > >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > >> nabs-l:
> > >>
> > >>
> >
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/justin.williams2%40gmail
> > >> .com
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> _______________________________________________
> > >> nabs-l mailing list
> > >> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> > >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> > >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > >> nabs-l:
> > >>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/sgermano%40asu.edu
> > >>
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > nabs-l mailing list
> > > nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> > > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> > > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > > nabs-l:
> > >
> >
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/anjelinac26%40gmail.com
> > >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Anjelina
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > nabs-l mailing list
> > nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > nabs-l:
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/sgermano%40asu.edu
> >
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nabs-l:
>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/blackbyrdfly%40gmail.com
>