LEADING BY EXAMPLE

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

(This article appeared in the BRAILLE MONITOR,

Volume 41, No. 1, January 1998, published by the National Federation of the Blind.)

From
the MONITOR Editor: Never before in a single year has one blind person
been invited to keynote meetings of the two major international organizations
in the blindness field. But, in August of 1996, Dr. Jernigan opened the quadrennial
meeting of the World Blind Union, in Toronto, Canada, and the following April,
he keynoted the tenth world conference of the International Council for Education
of People with Visual Impairment, which took place in Sao Paulo, Brazil. These
invitations were a signal honor, recognizing as they did Dr. Jernigan's contributions
to that field; they also ensured that the delegates would hear a shrewd and
inspiring address. But it was not only Dr. Jernigan's words that moved his audience
in Sao Paulo; It was his example.

Recognizing the importance of walking to the

podium independently at the time of his speech, Dr. Jernigan made a point of going to the

auditorium beforehand to study the route. This technique is used when possible by

experienced cane-users whenever it's important to move efficiently and independently while

an audience watches. Sadly, Dr. Jernigan was the only blind speaker at the conference not

led to the podium and retrieved from it by a sighted guide. The following editorial

demonstrates just how effective a symbol his action was.

The following commentary appeared in the

July-September, 1997, "Asia Appraiser," the quarterly newsletter of the

International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment. Larry Campbell,

International Program Administrator at the Overbrook School for the Blind, called our

attention to the editorial. Here it is:

When Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, Director of the

National Center for the Blind, United States of America, walked independently to the dais

of the State Government Palace of Sao Paulo to deliver the keynote address of the tenth

World Conference of the International Council for Education of People with Visual

Impairment, there was a thunderous applause. He was independent, elegant, and reassured

the confidence that visually impaired persons could come out of the social conditioning

that they are inferior. A delegate sitting at the back row shouted with joy, "That is

beautiful, Kenneth; why don't others emulate you?"

Orientation and mobility are vital aspects of the

independent living of any visually impaired person. Research studies indicate that a

visually impaired person is easily accepted in society when his/her mobility skills are

good. Once Kevin Curry said that many teachers make visually impaired children

"Braille Monks" because they consider Braille as the only need and forget the

vital importance of mobility in the life of the individual. The independent walking of Dr.

Jernigan made the thousands of people assembled at the Palace proud. The striking

statement, "Leading by Example," made by Dr. Jernigan during his keynote address

was relevant to what he had demonstrated. His powerful address set the trend for an

excellent conference.

After delivering the address, no one was needed

to bring him back to his seat. He did it all by himself. He, through his action, has

demonstrated that he leads others by example. He has also indicated how teachers,

administrators, parents, and professionals in the field of visual impairment should lead

by example in whatever work they do.

Marc Maurer, the President of the National

Federation of the Blind, U.S.A., wrote: "Kenneth Jernigan is generally regarded as

the most outstanding blind person in the world today." It is true because Dr.

Jernigan believes in leading by example. We can make our visually impaired children

outstanding if they are led by examples. Let us make them excellent in education,

mobility, rehabilitation, and integration. In doing so, let us emulate Dr. Jernigan and

his powerful statement, "Leading by Example!"