Category: Cram Session
what happen if your college/university disability office sirs tell you that you shouldn't take what you aim for your study cause you are blind and there is some subjects that you might not and pretty dificult for blindies to handle it? what if they suggested you to take something very general but not something you aim for? what if they says blind shouldn't study or shouldn't involve in certain fields like psychology, teaching, etc?
If it were something I really wanted to do, and if anyone told me I couldn't do it, I'd still try anyway. Many sighted people don't know what a blind person can do, and actually that can go for any disabled person. For example, some people are surprised that I go to school or even go somewhere by myself. Also, when I say I'm going to be a special education teacher, some automatically assume I'm going to be a teacher for blind students (like a Braille teacher), when that's not what I'm wanting to do. (I'd probably try it sometime, but that's not what I'm studying for right now). I do understand how people can wonder how I would do my job though, because I know it would be difficult. For instance, how would I watch my students, how would I help them with eating or other things, or what would I do if they do something or something happens to them.? So I think about these questions as well and also know I will need to spend time in other special education classes before I can have my own, so that I can get used to and maybe participate in real situations like this. So although there may be many questions on how I would do my job or even some people who think I can do it, it is something I think about also and I at least want to try. Also, I figure that if there are teachers of regular classes and of blind students, I should be able to work with people with other disabilities. Both can be the same but have their things that ablind teacher would need to think how they would do that job, so yeah.
I guess if it were something you're really interested in, you would want to at least think about it and try it out to see if you can really do it independently or if you would mind needing much sighted help to do your job, if that is the case. But although some people might try to help by saying you can't or shouldn't do something, it is mostly up to the disabled person to think seriously about it. What does that course or job involve? How would they do it, like could they do it on their own or would they need some or a lot of help to get their work done. And is it something they really want to do or a course they will need to take for that job they want. If it is, then I would think honestly about those questions and also ask people many questions about that job or course so that you can have an idea on what you need to think about. I would also go to that job or class if possible, just to watch what really happens and what perople really do there so you know what you might be doing if you decide you want to do it.
I would categorically tell them to stick there outdated and narrow minded ideas, where the sun does not shine. Then I would offer to take the idiot climbing, we'er not meant to leave the ground either, apparently it's dangerous up there..
There may be certain professions where the eople might be right. E.g. I think blindies would make rather lousy photographers or painters, but beyond that I more or less agree with goblin. You may have to approach your hobby/field of study from a different angle. For instance, if you decide to become a doctor you may concentrate on diagonsing the desease by listening to patients describe what's wrong and analyzing data from blood sample, clearly you wouldn't do surgery or anything like that. If you wanted to work in the air line industry you could be a buyer or reservations agent or supervisor or cusomter relation specialist. I've heard of very successful real estate agents that listen to the customers describing their dream house and then doing a good job of matching the general layout/description to the houses they have on file. There are doctors and professors who are blind and have done a great job. So, generally speaking, you can pursue whatever you want, just keep in mind you may have to approach it differently.
cheers
-B
Hi!! Don't let people in your dss office or anywhere, for that matter, discourage you from doing what you want to do or trying new things! I agree with goblin on this one as well. As others have said here, it's all about thinking out of the box.
If I was told that I'd ask as to their reasoning,and if it seemed flawed or generalised etc, then sure I'd go ahead. Who are they to say what I should and shouldn't study?
I agree with Goblin and Gypsee Girl on this. You may have to find out if others who are blind or visually impaired have embarked on your chosen profession and see hwo they accmplished the tasks involved in doing the job. Check with the consumer organizations, AFB's Career Connect or the Job Accomodation Network as starters. Be ready to acknowledge the neighsayers may have some validity in their misgivings, but don't totally buy into them either. In order to defeat an argument, you should try to gain some understanding of it first, otherwise you may be comparing apples to hamburgers, and not to apples. Good luck!
Lou
go the www.nfb.org and see if there is an organization of people in your profession that you can begin to meet and ask these types of questions to
This puzzles me. Knowing where you go to uni, and knowing other blindies who have done psychology and teaching in your state, I don't quite see where they're coming from. Unless it was another concern, like prerequisite units, or timetable clashes. If they're being unhelpful, then I'd suggest going to your faculty head, since they are the authority on what you can and can't do in your course.
good luck chicky,
Erin
yep Chicky, its puzzled me too when i heard that. but now i think its fine, they don't have the rights to tell me what i can study or what i can't as long as i can do it. and most important is how my progress with the study and how the head of faculty treat me...
i'm thinking of switching uni too, seems they don't really interested to having me... not what though, just feeling not that confident enough and a little unconfortable if want me to stay on and work with the disability service department...
cheers chicky,
Joanne
then, if they say that they're stupid they don't know what they're talking about. The only things blind people cant do are driving, photography, painting and surgery stuff