[Nfbf-l] White Cane Awareness Event at the Florida Outreach Center for the Blind

[Marion Gwizdala]

	With all due respect, the primary purpose of White Cane Awareness Day is to raise awareness of the potential of the blind to fully participate in society on terms of equality by raising the low expectations sighted people have for us and the blind have for themselves. in light of our recent discussion of Dining in the Dark, a specific type of simulation activity, I must also object to the blindfolding of sighted people during this event. Similarly, I believe the message sent by the statement, "The Village of Palm Springs Police will be present to make sure everyone gets across the streets safely" sends a message of custodialism. In my opinion, observing independent, competent blind people crossing the street without assistance sends a much more powerful message congruent with the philosophy of the National Federation of the Blind. It is my hope that agencies purported to serve the blind read the evidence contained in the literature about the negative outcomes of such simulations. As a person who has been blind for 40 years who possesses a very high level of blindness skills, I still find it a bit scarry to cross some intersections. Blindfolding a sighted person and giving them a few minutes of O&M instruction only serves to reinforce the negative stereotypes of blindness. I wish the Florida Outreach Center for the Blind which seems to assert they are aligned with the philosophy of the National Federation of the Blind would reconsider blindfolding minimally trained sighted people and opt for the more positive message of observing independent, competent blind people. 

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbf-l [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of carolyn lapp via Nfbf-l
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2018 8:58 PM
To: 'NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List'
Cc: carolyn lapp
Subject: [Nfbf-l] White Cane Awareness Event at the Florida Outreach Center for the Blind

The Florida Outreach Center for the Blind invites you to our White Cane Awareness Event on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 from 2:00-4:00 pm. Join us on our walk (sighted individuals may put on sleep shades), raising awareness of the White Cane Law.
Vest with the message “Stop for pedestrians with White Canes and Guide Dogs” will be available for participants. All participants traveling on Palm Tran Connections will be given tickets to cover there transportation expenses. The Village of Palm Springs Police will be present to make sure everyone gets across the streets safely. 
Local organizations will also be joining our walk and distributing literature about their programs. You will also get a chance to check out the new Palm Tran bus. There will be food, raffles and information about the White Cane Law. 
The event will be held from 2:00-4:00 PM at the Florida Outreach Center for the Blind:
2315 S. Congress Avenue
Palm Springs, FL 33406
RSVP by calling 561-642-0005. 
You will also want to join the Braille Club on Monday, October 15th from 10:30 AM-Noon as they advocate and walk for blind and visually-impaired pedestrians. The walk will start at John Smith Subs at 3929 South Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach.
Together we can make our streets safer and educate the public about the White Cane Law! 



_______________________________________________
Nfbf-l mailing list
Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Nfbf-l:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/kdavisnfbf%40cfl.rr.com


_______________________________________________
Nfbf-l mailing list
Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Nfbf-l:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/lappland%40bellsouth.net


_______________________________________________
Nfbf-l mailing list
Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Nfbf-l:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/marion.gwizdala%40verizon.net