[nfbwatlk] *HAVE* the blind lost their way or their will? Never!

[Dan and Renee]

I think we are all on the same page, here. We all most assuredly have the 
best interests of the blind at heart, and in the Washington affiliate we (I 
say we!) are very lucky indeed to have friends from across the aisle, if you 
will, who often work hand-in-hand with us to make life better for blind 
people.

As important as it is to understand that such tools as audible traffic 
signals, while perhaps sometimes useful, often serve mostly to further 
misconceptions about the blind on the part of the sighted public, it is 
vital too to note what misconceptions are reinforced on the part of the 
blind themselves. If a blind person doesn't have a good attitude and 
training, and naturally good support and role models, these devices are 
poisonous to the self-esteem of that individual, deadening both the spirit 
and hopes of a first-class life. Much as we need to enlighten governmental 
authorities who install such devices about their true worth to the blind, it 
may be more important for us to enlighten our fellow blind about their own 
true worth. It is unfortunate that so many blind people are noncommital 
about the lot of their brothers and sisters, but we need to commit to them 
nonetheless. I'm going to make a pledge to not be shy and approach the next 
blind person I see, and tell them about our organization. This, by the way, 
is a pledge that others might take as well.

-Renee

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jedi" <blindjedi at clearwire.net>
To: "'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'" <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2007 9:11 PM
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] *HAVE* the blind lost their way or their will? 
Never!


> Karl,
>
> I'm glad that you were able to clarify your position for me. I really did
> have some trouble seeing the connection between the cane and audible
> signals. I think that, for me, the discrepancy is that, as you say, the
> audible traffic signals often serve as more of a hindrance than a help for 
> a
> lot of people. Meanwhile, aids such as the cane or dog do help loads, and 
> I
> think it's the training and these skills, like Lisa mentioned, that, along
> with legislation,  help us share our desire for that "place in the sun".
>
> Respectfully Submitted
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Carl Jarvis
> Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2007 8:07 AM
> To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] *HAVE* the blind lost their way or their will?
> Never!
>
>
> Good morning Jedi and all wide awake debaters,
> Jedi, you wrote, "...All that being said, how do you expect
> for us to get employed when there's a question of our overall ability to
> take care of ourselves?..."
>
> And you have put your finger smack dab in the center of the issue.
> While it is important to debate the impact or value of such innovations as
> audible traffic signals or identifiable paper currency, your question is 
> the
>
> one we must solve.
> And all I am trying to say is that to me, the solution does not hinge on
> what kinds of aids or accommodations we decide are appropriate for us. 
> What
>
> will bring us to equal status in our community must begin within 
> ourselves.
> Teaching our brothers and sisters to believe that they are worthy and 
> equal
> people.  And then, although a positive attitude goes a long way toward
> convincing others of our competency, it will take strong legislation,
> forcing the public to treat us as equals.  Acceptance comes much slower, 
> but
>
> it will come.
> Meanwhile, turning on ourselves and dumping on folks who do not agree with
> our beliefs does us far more harm than good.
> Personally I do not support the concept that all traffic signals should be
> audible.  Maybe a few at particularly difficult crossings, but certainly 
> not
>
> the coocoo and chirpchirp signals.
> These signals do not assist those of us who have good travel skills.  And
> they do not assist the older or untrained folks, either.  Older blind 
> people
>
> generally have additional age-related issues, and travel with companions.
> Those who try using the signals are often confused and can't remember
> whether to cross on the coocoo or the chirpchirp.
> But audible traffic signals are not going to change the deep seated public
> attitudes about blindness.
> The long white cane, our sign of independence, does not change the 
> erroneous
>
> beliefs about blindness.  After all of the years we have been learning to
> function competently in our world we still face a 70 percent unemployment
> rate.
> I am not suggesting that we forget trying to develop better tools.  We 
> must
> stay current with the technology of the day.  But I am saying that this is
> not what will bring us to our place in the sun.
> That day will only come when we believe in ourselves strongly enough that 
> we
>
> forcibly take our proper place in society.
> Meanwhile, at times our efforts may appear misguided to others.  In an 
> open
> society this is often the case.  People are free to try many ideas, not 
> all
> of them of much value.  But this does not make them evil, or bad, or 
> stupid,
>
> or...
> It makes them human.  Usually it means that they care.  Open debate then
> becomes very important.  By fairly debating issues, we tend to expand our
> thinking and educate one another.  Debate among equals is healthy.
> That's all I'm trying to say.
>
> Carl Jarvis
>
>
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