[gui-talk] NationalFederationoftheBlindCommentsonFederalCourtRulingon U.S. Currency

[Laura Eaves]

One clarification -- the curb cuts are not just for the disabled person, but 
also largely for the person (if any) pushing the wheelchair -- just like the 
handicapped parking spaces and placards are not just for self propelled 
disabled drivers, but are a very much needed assist to able bodied drivers 
transporting someone with a disability.  It not only simplifies life for 
them, but also when I tell friends that I have a placard, they are much more 
likely to want to give me a ride, as they know that when I'm along, they 
don't have as far to walk.

As for the curb cuts being an act of mercy, there might be truth in that, 
but is that wording a little misleading? would you consider blindness 
adaptations at work to be an act of mercy? you might be a little taken aback 
by the wording -- it is an accomodation to help you function in that 
environment.

I laugh at some of the posts I see on nfb-talk saying "blindness is a 
nuisance but is not crippling" -- well persons in wheelchairs are 
technically crippled, but again that term is charged.

Just thought I'd do a little consciousness raising.  I wasn't sniping at 
your language so much as calling your attention to a possible insensitivity.

Cheers all!
--le



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Charles Innes" <innes1 at charm.net>
To: "NFBnet GUI Talk Mailing List" <gui-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, December 08, 2006 10:21 PM
Subject: Re: 
[gui-talk]NationalFederationoftheBlindCommentsonFederalCourtRulingon U.S. 
Currency



Dear \Laura
Please forgive me for this insensitivity.   These curb cuts are manifestly 
an act of mercy  for wheel-chair bound citizens.
The public tends to lump us handicapped together.  Once in a while, a 
passerby will carefully guide me to a curb-cut, perhaps pulling me along by 
my white cane, and I am always a little puzzled.

Be well

 Respectfully
Charles

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Laura Eaves
  To: NFBnet GUI Talk Mailing List
  Sent: Friday, December 08, 2006 12:52 AM
  Subject: Re: 
[gui-talk]NationalFederationoftheBlindCommentsonFederalCourtRulingon U.S. 
Currency


  Well, all I have to say is they help if you're blind and also use a
  wheelchair, which is the situation I find myself in...
  I'm starting up a mailing list sometime soon for persons with blindness 
plus
  other physical challenges and how to deal with them.  There are many such
  individuals in the federation and I think there needs to be a place for
  discussion of coping strategies and swapping information.
  So if anyone on this list is interested, please contact me privately so I
  can get an idea what to write up as the scope of the list.
  I'm sure Dave Andrews will send out an announcement to the e-world when I
  settle on the name of the list.
  As for curb cuts confusing cane users, I have that problem too and 
generally
  don't propel myself when I'm in unfamiliar territory.  I keep the cane 
with
  me for emergencies but it is to me to great a risk to try and drive a
  wheelchair and use a cane at the same time.
  --le

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: "Charles Innes" <innes1 at charm.net>
  To: "NFBnet GUI Talk Mailing List" <gui-talk at nfbnet.org>
  Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 5:47 PM
  Subject: Re:
  [gui-talk]NationalFederationoftheBlindCommentsonFederalCourtRuling on U.S.
  Currency



  Andy

  Curb cutws do no service for blind persons. In fact, they can be a
  disservice to blind.  Can't remember how many times I've almost walked 
into
  traffic because  my cane could no longer  find the curbstone.


  Sincerely
  Charles

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Baracco, Andrew W
    To: NFBnet GUI Talk Mailing List
    Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006 1:48 PM
    Subject: Re: [gui-talk]
  NationalFederationoftheBlindCommentsonFederalCourtRuling on U.S. Currency


    Keep in mind that we are talking about a product and service that is
    rendered by the Federal government, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
    and the Americans With Disabilities Act mandate that services and
    information provided by the government be accessible to all, including
    people with disabilities.  If government web sites need to be
    accessible, why not currency?  This can't hurt anyone, and can help
    many.  I remember when the concept of curb cuts was being discussed.
    There were many who said that the cost of modifying the sidewalk at
    every corner of every intersection would be prohibitive, and most likely
    the majority of those curb cuts wouldn't even be used.  Well, I do not
    think that you will find too many people who would oppose curb cuts
    today.  In fact, they are used and loved by bicyclists, skate boarders,
    people pushing shopping carts, parents pushing strollers, and, yes, even
    people in wheelchairs.  I am willing to even go out on a limb and say
    that the general population will end up thanking us for making it easier
    for them to handle their money.

    Andy
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