Category: Let's talk
Hey all!
So there ae times when people don't know how to act around blind people or people with low vission simply because they, well, don't know. Sometiems this can be underestimation, in fact this is usually the vibe I get from people who I feel are uncomfortable around me. I know it is propper to educate them, but sometiems its hard to without coming off as rude or evasive; what are some ideas on things to say that you guys have noticed work? Don't work?
To me, the whole idea of educating the sighted is not simple or easy. You can't just wrap the blindness experience up in a couple short sentences and expect people to get it. I'm afraid it would have to involve sighted folk making an effort to take a few hours out of their day at least and sitting down and absorbing info. This is all well and good, but then there's the question about what to focus on. Then perhaps random sighted folk might ask "OK, but why do we need to know anything about blind people anyway when we probably will only see you out on a street somewhere and all we have time for is to help you with this or that but nothing more." How would you convince sighted folk that learning about blind people will benefit them personally. Then what else? Do you talk about capabilities, employability, or what? I wish I knew the kinds of tactics that people have used in the past just to see what folks have focused on. I think one thing that is lacking is just giving them an idea of who we actually are and what we do in our spare time. Now, I'm exagerating for effect here, but I bet many sighted folk think if we're not working or going to school, we spend most of our time sitting alone in the dark, listening to music exclusively by blind musicians, or perhaps reading Braille books donated by charities that are usually religious or inspirational in nature, you know, to help us with our depression over being blind. We are ignorant of pop culture since of course we don't and can't watch movies or TV and we just don't read the right books. Our only friend is our guide dog, since every last one of us has a dog, and we have assorted personal care attendants on call 24/7 to help us with every little thing. Again, I am exagerating but I bet there are a goodly number of folks who believe some variations on those themes. Those are some ideas to get the ball rolling. Anybody else?
Wow, that's a tough one. Humor helps, but don't be sarcastic or biting at first. Depending on the question, turn the tables. Let's say it's something like eating. You might say something like "close your eyes, and touch your hand to your mouth." This makes it an experiemtn for them. When I talk about sighted guide, many times people want to take your hand. You can let them try this with you. Most likely, they will be swinging their arm. You could say something like, "Now if there was a cliff there, my hand would folow through, and there would be a chance I'd go over the edge. If I take your elbow, it won't swing as muchh, because its closer to your body." Interesting topic. I'll look forward to seeing what others say. Thanks for posting.
Lou
I don't think the second post was an exageration at all. It was a very nice capsulized view of Most sighted people of the blind. In answer to the question raised about tactics, I find it largely situational. In my job, I have to educate sighted people about technology for the blind. That's relatively easy, because the agenda is usually very specific. Its in the day-to-day interactions with sighted people that life becomes interesting, and the challenges get more interesting. As an example, I was shopping yesterday, and had to sign for a purchase. I jst explained to the salesperson "Now, in order to make this work, I'd like to ask you to put the card on the signature line. This gives me a straight edge to work with." After he/she did this I put my finger where I thought I should start and said: "Is this the right place?" This does two things: It gets people involved in the teaching/learning process, and it accomplishes my immediate goal of signing the slip.
Lou
I think teaching the sighted is a bunch of short experiences, not one long process.
The easiest thing I've found to teach is proper guiding. If someone walks up and grabs my arm, I just break their hold ostentaciously, grab their arm, and say, "Now if you fall in to a hole, I can let go." Usually, they don't know they've been taught anything.
If they ask questions, I try to answer politely, and let it go. If their question is too personal or downright nosey, I just get snobby as hell. <grin>.
Bob
Well-said, Bob. You never know when or if you're going to meet the same person again, so its a bit presumptuous to think yo can continue the education process. If you've exposed a person to just one aspect of being blind, then they will hopefully leave your presence a tad bit more aware than they were before they saw you.