[nfb-talk] NFB Centers and Rock Climbing

qubit lauraeaves at yahoo.com
Fri Oct 16 17:05:13 UTC 2009


Hi John -- your proactivity is commendable -- but when I was working, I did 
get assigned to a number of "juicy" assignments (software development, 
masters degree and good work) -- the only times things got iffy was when 
windows and other technologies that created an accessibility barrier. 
Nowadays, that is a real problem because most of the development involves 
programming GUIs and even if you don't develop that part of a project, you 
need good, reliable access to the programming environment.
In short, your simplification of the problem to discrimination on the basis 
of blindness is (um) short sighted...*smile* (sorry, couldn't resist).
You don't address the big picture.
But there is a lot a blind person can do, obviously, but a sighted employer 
would understandably wonder what new technologies the blind person would not 
be able to deal with, and might (some say legitimately) not hire him/her so 
as to get someone else who could keep the company on the cutting edge of 
technology.
So how much is discrimination? Maybe some, but also the darned access 
barriers are also a serious factor.
Anyway, happy hacking.
--le


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John G. Heim" <jheim at math.wisc.edu>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 7:44 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] NFB Centers and Rock Climbing


Well, yes, I did get woodworking lessons at the University of Wisconsin
where I work. They have mini-courses and one of them is woodworking. Of
course, I was not a novice. I've built many things. The reason I wanted
formal training is that I wanted to make clock cases. My job status was iffy
and I thought maybe I could start a business selling clocks in hand-made
cases. I got another job though, better than the previous one in both job
satisfaction and compensation. I'd never have been able to be a professional
woodworker anyway.

Actually, my experience regarding my previous job lead me to create a
non-profit called the International Association of Visually Impaired
Technologists (IAVIT). It's not just me but I see a lot of blind computer
nerds get "backwatered". By that I mean they are not given the juicy
assignments in their company. They may be doing their job well but as
technology changes, they are not given the opportunity to get involved in
the new exciting stuff. Slowly, they become less and less important to their
employer. And then when layoffs come along, they are the ones to go. And in
a way, that is fair. After all, they are less important than their sighted
counterparts.  To a degree, that is what happened to me. I didn't allow it
to play out though. I worked evenings and weekends to learn new skills that
eventually landed me the job I have now.

But I started IAVIT to help to prevent this from happening to others. For
more information about IAVIT, see http://www.iavit.org/.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "d m gina" <dmgina at samobile.net>
To: <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 4:21 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] NFB Centers and Rock Climbing


> Oh did you ever get a chance to work in the wood shop?
> when I was in school, as well as the rehab center in Denver, I made two
> lamps, as well as yes record cases.
> I was thrilled.
> I also did a sewing box.
> I still have the box.
> I love the feel of the wood we used at the time.
> The lamps I gave to family.
> I hope you got the chance.
> Now for the electric saw we did get help.
> I did anyway.
> I am being short, everything was tall.
> I got assistance with this, so it all worked out well.
> I know a schoolmate who makes items for folks.
> does quite well.
> I love to see his work.
>
> -- 
> --Dar
> skype
> dmgina23
> every saint has a past
> every sinner has a future
>
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