[gui-talk] NFB on accessible money

[Baracco, Andrew W]

The AFB recently estimated the number of blind persons living in the U.
S. as 10 million.  For at least the last 30 years, the NFB has stated
that they have 50,000 members.  Assuming this to be true, and not an
overstatement, as it probably is, the NFB represents, at most, only one
half of one percent of the blind population.  This hardly constitutes a
majority, or even a significant minority.  Even if the blind population
was overestimated, and is more like 2 million, which is also an estimate
I have seen, and again assuming that 50,000 figure for NFB membership,
this only constitutes 2.5 per cent.  Still nothing like a majority or
significant number.  This hardly constitutes the voice of the nation's
blind.  And I do not think that equating the NFB to the government of
the United States is an analogy that holds water either.

Andy
 

-----Original Message-----
From: gui-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:gui-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Seville Allen
Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2006 11:39 AM
To: 'NFBnet GUI Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [gui-talk] NFB on accessible money

While you didn't appoint, or better possibly say you didn't elect, any
blind organization to speak for you, you are spoken for just by the fact
that, collectively, blind people are heard through a choir of voices or
an elected representative of a blind organization speaking.  This is the
same for an American citizen who doesn't vote.  He may not have voted
for our current American administration, but whether or not he did, the
fact is that the "elected leadership" speaks for the whole organization
of citizens. 
So whether or not we join a blindness organization or an American
political party, we will be spoken for by someone who is known as the
leader by the system's definition.  

-----Original Message-----
From: gui-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:gui-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Hoffman, Allen
Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2006 10:18 AM
To: gui-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [gui-talk] NFB on accessible money

>From the previous post:
"Blind people traditionally identify paper currency by folding bills of
different denominations in different ways.  "In reality, blind people do
not routinely find that we have been short-changed," Maurer commented.
Machines are readily available to identify paper money for blind people
who run businesses or handle large amounts of cash.  "Essentially, the
United States Treasury has been ordered by the courts to come up with a
solution for a nonexistent problem," Maurer said."

I tend to generally agree with this, however, I for one never appointed
any organization or one "my voice", and while an organization of the
blind certainly has all rights to voice opinions, saying that this isn't
a problem for blind people is overstepping their perspective.  This is
just like the whole tactile tiles for identifying edges, audible traffic
signals, etc.  Just because some don't "need" or "want" this kind of
solution doesn't mean it isn't "needed" or "wanted" by others.  An
analysis of traffic lights to me seems like if traffic signals that are
observable by people are important for everyone else, then people who
can't see the signal should have a mechanism too, or why have the signal
at all?  People who are blind should not be provided less as a general
rule, not the other way around in hopes of fostering some superman
independent image.  I myself am not superman, but can be pretty
independent.  I can live without money changes, audible traffic signals,
or tactile edges, however, I can live without Braille books, audio
tapes, or screen readers too but why the heck should I?

I get the feeling if ACB had filed for making the sky blue that the NFB
would file to change it.  This kind of bickering just presents an image
of a bunch of people who can't ever be satisfied.




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