[nfb-talk] Open Letter to Marc Maurer

[Kori King]

Robin made some very good points. I'm an NFB member, and this is one of 
those issues where I'd be happy to have paper money which is more detectable 
by touch, and at the same time I know that yes, there are ways to manage our 
money already without the alterations. I agree with Robin about being 
worried about how society views us. Yes, of course I want people to see me 
as a person who happens to be blind but who has many other facets as well, 
but I don't worry about it too much, because sad to say, people are going to 
think what they're going to think, and some of them may be truly enlightened 
and choose to be positively informed and educated about us, but some will 
just always have their misconceptions no matter how hard we try. Now, having 
said this, I'm not saying NFB should just do nothing--quite the contrary. 
But I'm just saying that I, like Robin, just don't worry about it too much 
and if someone's ignorant, I try to act with kindness. Now, I know that 
people might think, well, the NFB didn't always get as far as we've gotten 
with kindness, and yes, there are situations where you need to firmly put 
your foot down. But I don't believe a person should lose themselves in a 
what-are-people-going-to-think attitude. There's got to be a healthy 
balance. And BTW, I've been to national NFB conventions, and I love the fact 
that people announce General Session This Way." To me, it's just a way of 
giving people a sound cue, so that those who may need something like that 
can easily and quickly find a meeting. Granted, we're not just going to have 
that everywhere, and if you're late for the meeting, you're definitely on 
your own, no sound cues except hearing someone on the P.A. system or someone 
talking on the other side of a closed door of a meeting room, but for a 
convention of the blind, that extra directional cue is great. Take care.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "MARSHA R WALLEN" <robynwallen at juno.com>
To: <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006 12:17 AM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Open Letter to Marc Maurer


> David I have been in both NFB and ACB and I have made my choice becuase
> of those philosphies you speak of.  I however think both organizations
> have good an bad points.   NFB is certainly stronger in its convictions
> and  more willing to take on controversy than ACB is no matter how
> misguided they may be.   ACB tends to stand back and I for one am happy
> to see ACB take a stand on this issue.  It is a welcome stand from
> sitting back and letting the world pass us by.  NFB has been very good in
> getting some positive legislation passed but over the years is becoming
> more of a money making organization.  This bothers me.  I was equal
> disturbed when NFB so quickly dropped the AOL lawsuit and with NFBs
> partnerships with private industrie for new devices in order to make a
> profit.  If you say we do not need accomodations then franks do we need
> the KNFB reader?  After all a lot of material is available on the web and
> we have screen readers.  Do we need screen readers will training alone
> make us able to compete?  Ok I am going overboard but you get the gist.
>
> as for ths APS signal who knows maybe the tone or announcement made a
> difference in the case but do we know for sure.  You say you can listen
> for traffic patterns but surely you have noticed cars are quieter and
> quieter.  Trust me I have friends who have cars you would never hear.
> APS signals are not a replacement for good mobility skills but just add
> information the same information that is accessable to our sighted peers.
>
> I do not think ACB thinks we have to have the world fully accomodated in
> order to function on an equal footing but we do believe that these
> accomodations can make us more independant and help us to function even
> better.  Some of us may need them more than others.
>
> Your posts saddens me in that you are so concerned about how the sighted
> world sees you.  How sad to be so miserable that you feel you have to be
> perfect every moment in order not to reflect badly on the blindness
> community.  Have you ever met a perfect sighted person who never makes a
> mistake?  There are no perfect blind people nor any perfect sighted
> people.  I am not putting you down I feel truly saddened by anyone who is
> so concerned they must be a perfect example of blindness it is a heavy
> cross to bear and one that will over time wear you down.
>
> I remember in my younger days feeling so volunerable and so deteremined
> to show the world I could be just like everyone else and I remember
> worrying about what everyone was thinking but then I had a revalation and
> realized that the majority of the sighted world are far less concerned
> about how I do things than I was.  They simply have more things to do in
> their lives that are far more important then worrying about that poor
> pitiful blind girl.  As for the people who commented on blind money this
> is a sign of ignorance on that persons part.  Anyone who would even make
> those comments is obviously rude and ignorant in the first place.
>
> You were luck this time with your money but it does not always happen
> that way.  However when you first got that $20 bill did it tell you what
> it was so you could fold it or did you depend on the bank teller or a
> note identifier?
>
> I am an ACB member and proud of it and have been ever since I left NFB.
> I still have friends in NFB and we agree to disagree on some issues but I
> believe both groups have good points.  I am an ACB member who works in a
> mainstream job and with only sighted coworkers yet they do not pity me or
> look down on me.  I use my software and I compete on the same level.  I
> took Call A Ride to work for years until a coworker and I got the same
> shift.  I have APS signals in my area I fought for and I am glad they are
> here although they do not replace my mobility skills but give me the same
> information as the sighted world has.  I believe education and employment
> are top priorities for both groups but I believe that accessable money
> may just help make us more employable.  The cost of changing vending and
> change machines is not a big deal they have been changed a lot in the
> last few years with all the new bills so the blindness issue wont enhance
> the cost any more.
>
> These are just my views an feel free to have your own.
>
> Robyn
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