Helping The SIghted To See

Helping The SIghted To See

The Braille Monitor April 1997

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Helping the Sighted to See

From the Editor: Week in and week out one of the most

important jobs Federationists are called upon to undertake

is educating the public. Not only do uninformed people need

help recognizing the very real and substantial problems

facing blind people, but often they require instruction to

comprehend what they are actually looking at. When the

instruction is of this latter kind, it requires great tact

not to embarrass ignorant but well-meaning citizens

unnecessarily. This challenge faced members of the National

Federation of the Blind of Alaska on July 14, 1996. On that

day the editorial page of the Anchorage Daily News included

the following letter:

Obstacles Menace the

Blind

Recently I was looking out my office window at the corner of

Fourth Avenue and H Street and noticed there were several blind people walking

down the street. My attention was drawn to one man in particular because he

was having an extremely difficult time maneuvering around the planter area at

the new courthouse, and on two occasions he actually stumbled over the planter.

I became even more concerned as I continued to watch this gentleman.

He managed to get across H Street without incident, but when he got back on

Fourth Avenue, he became disoriented when he got to the Pioneer Bar because

he got caught between the wooden Indian's arm and the sidewalk advertisement.

He had a very difficult time getting his bearings because of all the obstacles

that are sitting out on Fourth Avenue. It broke my heart as I watched him try

to make his way down Fourth Avenue.

I realize that businesses are entitled to advertise, but shouldn't

they be required to do so in such a way that people won't be injured? These

sidewalk advertisements are certainly harmless enough to sighted people, but

they are a definite menace to the blind.

I hope the businesses on Fourth Avenue and elsewhere will take

note and move their sidewalk signs out of the way of the blind.

Faye Stevens, Anchorage

That's what Ms. Stevens said, and Melody

Lindsey, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Alaska responded

in a letter published July 21:

Problem for Blind Not

on Street

I am responding to Faye Stevens's letter of July 14, from the

perspective of one of the other blind persons who was with the individual she

described. When I first read her letter, I was perplexed, but I have decided

that she has provided an opportunity to educate the public about blindness.

Ms. Stevens wrote that she saw "several blind people"

walking down Fourth and H. However, her attention was focused on one individual

who appeared to have trouble negotiating the sidewalk displays. What about the

other blind people? Did she wonder what the difference was between the way they

traveled and the apparent difficulty the one individual was having? I submit

that the difference lies in the experience, confidence, and skill that blind

people choose to acquire.

I encountered the same obstacles as the person Ms. Stevens

observed, yet I had the skills and confidence to conclude that I needed to go

around them just as everyone else does. I may not be able to ascertain information

visually, but by using the cane, I can find objects on the sidewalk and deduce

that they are not going to get up and move solely for my convenience.

The only way that blind people can obtain good problem- solving

skills is by working through difficulties that arise and moving on. If someone

is always there to correct problems for them, they will never gain accuracy

and confidence in their own capabilities. The real obstacles to the blind include

misconceptions about blindness, lack of opportunity, unemployment, lack of quality

training, and lack of high expectations by society in general.

If the physical barriers on Fourth and H were the only ones

we had to deal with, we would be in pretty good shape economically and socially.

To the businesses along these streets I say: please do not move your displays

solely to help the blind.

I would like to invite Ms. Stevens and anyone else who would

like to learn more about the blind to call the National Federation of the Blind

of Alaska office at 566- 2620. I believe that together we can change what it

means to be blind.

Melody Lindsey, President

National Federation of the Blind of Alaska

In the same spirit and also on July 21, Tracy Kuzara, a

travel teacher who had been with the group Ms. Stevens

observed, added her perspective to the discussion. This is

what she said:

Blind Students Are Learning

I am writing in response to Faye Stevens's letter of July 14.

I was also there that day on Fourth Avenue when she saw that blind man "having

difficulty." She didn't mention the several other blind people who were

having no difficulty whatsoever. They were getting around with much ease.

I work at the school where these individuals are learning the

alternative techniques for everyday living. On that particular day there were

two instructors with the students out on Fourth Avenue.

Yes, walking around on the streets and around wooden Indians

happens to be one of the things they learn. Although mistakes may happen from

time to time, I don't feel that the signs should be moved. The students are

learning how to maneuver around these types of obstacles. While they are out

walking and find an obstacle with the cane such as a wooden Indian or a planter,

they can figure their own way around it without someone yelling, grabbing, or

pulling on them.

Blind people should be treated with the same respect you would

like to receive as a sighted person. I know that Ms. Stevens was writing out

of concern. But please realize that if the signs were a menace to the blind,

we would take measures to have them moved, but they are not.

The blind should be able to go where they want when they want

just as the sighted do. They don't want special treatment; treat them as you

would any other person. If they have questions, they will ask you for assistance.

Tracy Kuzara, Anchorage

Have you considered leaving a gift to the National Federation

of the Blind in your will? By preparing a will now, you can assure that those

administering your estate will avoid unnecessary delays, legal complications,

and substantial tax costs. A will is a common device used to leave a substantial

gift to charity. A gift in your will to the NFB can be of any size and will

be used to help blind people. Here are some useful hints in preparing your will:

* Make a list of everything you want to leave (your estate).

*Decide how and to whom you want to leave these assets.

* Consult an attorney (one you know or one we can help you

find).

* Make certain you thoroughly understand your will before you

sign it.

For more information contact the National Federation of

the Blind, Special Gifts, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore,

Maryland 21230-4998, (410) 659-9314, fax (410) 685-5653.