[NABS-L] Turning camera off as accommodation

[Ty Littlefield]

Hi,

Just because something /should/ be done doesn’t mean blind people should 
have to jump through hoops to make a statement.

Time is a precious, finite resource for me, and I value it deeply. 
Spending 5–10 minutes before each class trying to ensure I’m in the 
camera frame, using the many tools in my toolbox to match sighted peers 
who glance at their screens to center themselves isn’t worth it. This 
isn’t a matter of blindness philosophy; it’s about time and effort. 
Sighted individuals don’t have to invest nearly as much energy into 
achieving the same result.

I believe in going above and beyond when it’s truly worthwhile, and I 
support putting in extra effort in many situations. However, there’s a 
fine line between pushing boundaries for the sake of progress and 
unnecessarily draining your resources to make a point. Independence is 
about knowing when to act on your own, when to rely on assistance, and 
when to conserve your energy for more meaningful battles.

Our energy and spoons are limited. While I /can/ (with effort) make sure 
my face is centered in the camera frame, that doesn’t mean I /should/ 
invest my time and energy there, especially when those resources could 
be better spent elsewhere. It’s important to choose your battles wisely.

*TL;DR:* Requesting to stay off camera is perfectly reasonable. Focus on 
participating in class instead.