[nfbwatlk] Is it Important?

[Mike Freeman]

Lisa:

I am not opposed to action if it is a clear PR problem as, for example, 
are some of the abysmal portrayals of blindness on the "Make a Wish" TV 
program or the late and not-lamented "Good and Evil" program. But I *am* 
opposed to putting the NFB's name behind protests such as "so and so 
wasn't nice to me or didn't do what I wanted", especially when it is 
unclear that there was any violation of the law beyond Title III of the 
ADA. If we were to protest every time we were treated inconsiderately or 
rudely because of our blindness, we would do little else.

I'll tell you what I *would* consider to be constructive action on the 
problem: what if members of the Seattle chapter were to visit that 
Target store and *all* order something to eat and gauge the reaction. To 
me, this would garner a another evaluation of the problem and it would 
certainly get the point across without placing management or clerks in 
the position of having to listen to preaching. There have been several 
occasions during the life of the Clark County chapter of the NFB of 
Washington wherein we got reports of guide dogs in restaurant problems 
and rather than directly confronting personnel, we had all those using 
guide dogs go to said restaurants. That usually solved the problem. I 
can remember only one time when it did not (it was before you were in 
the chapter, Kaye) and, in the end, the guy who had the problem chose 
not to fight.

As I've said in other posts, I think there *is* solid ground for a DOJ 
ADA complaint but the hassle isn't worth the bother.

But why not try my "eat-in" idea?

And, for the record per one of your earlier posts, I don't mind rocking 
the boat: I'm just not interested in capsizing it.

Mike

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Owenblue2 at aol.com
  To: nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
  Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2008 7:36 PM
  Subject: [nfbwatlk] Is it Important?


  My friends:

  I have heard differing views  cocerning the incident at TARGET. Here 
are
  some of my thoughts.

  Mike; you stated that if we do anything such as educating the 
employees (A
  good suggestion by Kris); will not do any good. Yes, the manager maybe 
gone in
  six months or something else would happen. Is it a waste of time 
educating
  the  public on how to best treat blind people? Isn't that why we are 
here as a
  consumer group? How serious does the situation have to be before we 
take
  action?

  I admit that perhaps the press may not listen to us; if we raised the 
issue.
  On the other hand, why are so opposed to taking any action? It is not 
a
  waste of time and it unites all of us. I am very disappointed that 
every
  suggestion that was made; was blown off as "no one will care or take 
us  seriously; or
  we are playing for sympathy". That's gives me the impression that  it 
is
  easier to do nothing and let the matter drop. Positive action; such as 
training
  and perhaps writing a letter to the press will be helpful. Doing 
nothing just
  tells TARGET that it is ok to treat blind people like this.

  Anger does not play into these statements. However, we must not let 
this
  slide. All of us deserve better treatment and the only way we can get 
it; is to
  rock the boat from time to time.

  Lisa Owen



  **************Start the year off right.  Easy ways to stay in shape.
  http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489



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-------------- next part --------------
Lisa:
 
I am not opposed to action if it is a clear PR problem as, for example, are some of the abysmal portrayals of blindness on the "Make a Wish" TV program or the late and not-lamented "Good and Evil" program. But I *am* opposed to putting the NFB's name behind protests such as "so and so wasn't nice to me or didn't do what I wanted", especially when it is unclear that there was any violation of the law beyond Title III of the ADA. If we were to protest every time we were treated inconsiderately or rudely because of our blindness, we would do little else.
 
I'll tell you what I *would* consider to be constructive action on the problem: what if members of the Seattle chapter were to visit that Target store and *all* order something to eat and gauge the reaction. To me, this would garner a another evaluation of the problem and it would certainly get the point across without placing management or clerks in the position of having to listen to preaching. There have been several occasions during the life of the Clark County chapter of the NFB of Washington wherein we got reports of guide dogs in restaurant problems and rather than directly confronting personnel, we had all those using guide dogs go to said restaurants. That usually solved the problem. I can remember only one time when it did not (it was before you were in the chapter, Kaye) and, in the end, the guy who had the problem chose not to fight.
 
As I've said in other posts, I think there *is* solid ground for a DOJ ADA complaint but the hassle isn't worth the bother.
 
But why not try my "eat-in" idea?
 
And, for the record per one of your earlier posts, I don't mind rocking the boat: I'm just not interested in capsizing it.
 
Mike
 
----- Original Message -----
From:
mailto:Owenblue2 at aol.com Owenblue2 at aol.com
To:
mailto:nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
Sent:
Saturday, January 12, 2008 7:36 PM
Subject:
[nfbwatlk] Is it Important?
My friends:
 
I have heard differing views  cocerning the incident at TARGET. Here  are
some of my thoughts.
 
Mike; you stated that if we do anything such as educating the employees (A 
good suggestion by Kris); will not do any good. Yes, the manager maybe gone in 
six months or something else would happen. Is it a waste of time educating
the  public on how to best treat blind people? Isn't that why we are here as a 
consumer group? How serious does the situation have to be before we take 
action?
 
I admit that perhaps the press may not listen to us; if we raised the  issue.
On the other hand, why are so opposed to taking any action? It is not a 
waste of time and it unites all of us. I am very disappointed that every 
suggestion that was made; was blown off as "no one will care or take us  seriously; or
we are playing for sympathy". That's gives me the impression that  it is
easier to do nothing and let the matter drop. Positive action; such as  training
and perhaps writing a letter to the press will be helpful. Doing  nothing just
tells TARGET that it is ok to treat blind people like this. 
 
Anger does not play into these statements. However, we must not let this 
slide. All of us deserve better treatment and the only way we can get it; is to 
rock the boat from time to time.
 
Lisa Owen
**************Start the year off right.  Easy ways to stay in shape.    
http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489 http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489
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