[blindlaw] CLE agenda language that is negative toward the blind

[Mark BurningHawk]

This ties in with the sad fact that blindness gets the most stigma of all 
the "disabilities," with the possible exception of cognitive disabilities; 
retardation, extreme learning disability/CP, that sort of thing.  I play a 
game with people that I end up in a teaching role with; Think of five 
expressions that use the word "blind."  Now, think of all the contexts in 
which the word "blind," is used but does not mean "lacking in sight." 
"Flying blind," for example, not only means literally flying without being 
able to see where you're going, but it carries associations of ignorance, 
willful disregard for reality, a sort of immature brattish bull-headed 
stupidity which becomes associated with the exp-ression, and more 
importantly the word "blind.  Blind also means hopeless, despairing, 
dead-end, dumb/stupid, etc.  Let's face it; the general consensus is "better 
dead than blind."  Well.  I have to go start training with my third guide 
dog now, after retiring my second of nine years last night to go live with 
friends across the country; it's just part of the price I and other blind 
people pay just to live "normal," lives like the sighted Jonses we keep up 
with.  *shrug* who's blind?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ashley, Kathy J" <Kathy.Ashley at fssa.in.gov>
To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2006 4:46 AM
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] CLE agenda language that is negative toward the 
blind


> I'm not an attorney, I do not play one on TV, nor did I stay all night
> at a Holiday Inn Express, but I feel that this language is very
> offensive and only under heavy sedation could I even put a positive spin
> on the wording.  Why not say:  I would rather be in a wheel chair than
> see you walk away from me?  Or I would rather go deaf than to see you
> walk away from me.  It is still demeaning and ugly.
>
> Kathy Ashley, MS, CRC
> Program Director for Blind & VI Services
> Vocational Rehabilitation Services
> 1-800-545-7763
> 317-232-1352
> Fax: 317-232-6478
>
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On Behalf Of Noel Nightingale
> Sent: Monday, September 25, 2006 4:11 PM
> To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [blindlaw] CLE agenda language that is negative toward the
> blind
>
>
> Blind law listers:
>
> I just ran across a family law CLE agenda for my local county bar
> association that contains t following agenda topic:
>
> 2:15     I'd Rather Go Blind Than See You Walk Away From Me:  Stories
> from the Relocation Trenches
>
> Panel discussion of recent problems in interpretation and enforcement of
> the Relocation Act
>
> Before I knee jerk react against this language, I'd like to hear what
> you all think about the agenda item title stating that the presenters
> would rather go blind than have a custodial parent relocate.  Perhaps it
> can be construed as a positive statement about being blind.  What do you
> think?
>
> Noel
>
>
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