November 2007 Issue

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From Danney Yates, Warm Springs, GA:

Until this year, I was one of those blind people who had not been to a consumer group's national convention. I was convinced that the notion of concentrating thousands of blind people in one unfamiliar location was ludicrous. Surely it would be bedlam. I envisioned an assault of canes, confused and lost blind folks and dog guides who were unduly stressed by such a challenging environment.

Well, as part of a class assignment, I participated in the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) conference in Atlanta in July. I have learned-- to my amazement--that this experience is not only manageable, but also absolutely phenomenal.

For once, I wasn't one of the few blind persons around. It was so motivating to see people taking risks--getting lost, but getting back on track--and just getting out there and participating. There was help available, if one needed it, but if you wanted to stretch a bit and find your destination independently, you could do that without having to convince others that you didn't need help. My Seeing-Eye Dog quickly learned to anticipate the oncoming canes and to problem-solve, finding routes to keep both of us out of their paths.

There were exhibitors from everywhere, it seemed; one could have a hands-on look at various products, instead of just reading or hearing about them. Less tangible, but clearly felt, was a spirit that seemed to buzz through the entire gathering, no doubt fueled by the collective independence and assurance that all belonged.

Finally, there was another misconception that I had to reexamine resulting from this experience. I work in the field of vocational rehabilitation, and in an effort to maintain some level of objectivity, I had refrained from joining any consumer organization. I follow their activities through the respective publications and attempt to give balanced information when questioned by consumers.

I'd heard from more than one person that the NFB convention might be less than hospitable. Canes would be longer than average and used aggressively. Dog guides would not be well received. An offer of assistance to a blind participant might get a hostile response.

I found none of this to be true. The convention had provisions in place for the dog-guide users to air their dogs. Cane users were polite, and conversations and mingling with NFB members came easily and freely.

This has been a growth experience for me, and I am intent on attending another group's national convention in 2008. If you haven't been to one, I highly recommend it. You won't regret it, and may even learn a thing or two, both about the consumer group and about yourself. I certainly did.

From Katrina Wright, Atlanta, GA:

While I generally feel positive about attempts by Ziegler readers to inspire each other, I think everyone needs to be a bit more realistic. Take independence, for example. If one person gets help from his wife to do all sorts of things, I don't think it would be fair for him to instruct someone who has virtually no support on how to be more independent, without considering that he may be unfamiliar with the complexities of that situation.

In my opinion, the best advice anyone can give is that which is useful both to those who have help and those who do not. One might offer information on grants for purchasing adaptive technology, on the pros and cons of e-commerce without sighted assistance, and so forth. Having help may make these suggestions easier--but they are not rendered useless by having no help at all.

Another point some people should consider is the economic feasibility of the options they present to enhance independence. People who have not always been blind, for instance, should remember that their financial resources may be different from those of us who have never worked.

I would also challenge every blind person to raise the bar when dealing with assistance provided by social-service agencies -including vocational rehabilitation programs. I think some representatives of those agencies consider themselves as somehow better than we are. Whenever I come across a situation where this is the case, I promptly inform those who should be aware of it. In this way, I not only help myself but also make things easier for others.

Those who seek information on how to become more independent--using resources they have already or need more information about--can contact me at integrity1forme@yahoo.com. I will give informed, objective advice, without passing judgment on anyone who needs help.

From Barbara Mattson, Spartanburg, SC:

Twenty-eight years of editing and producing a magazine for the blind is almost a lifetime. But that's exactly what Ed Potter has done as editor/producer of a cassette magazine called Playback. On top of that, he has managed a mail-order business--offering gift wrapping during the holidays. Although I've only subscribed a few of those years, I have found the sources and reviews of various mainstream appliances and products for the blind useful. Playback has certainly been a leading magazine for this kind of information. With its last issue being distributed at the end of 2007, I can't help but believe Ed is on the brink of beginning a new chapter in his life. This is likely largely due to the digital age. I eagerly await his presence in this technological evolution.

From Sandy Brzezinski, Cincinnati, OH:

I ask anyone to contact me if you feel that Greyhound's service to travelers with disabilities is lacking. As a private citizen, I am working with an ADA consultant/paralegal to remedy the situations that I and most likely many others experience when traveling. I will not reveal your name. My only intent is to learn the number of individuals who feel that adequate ADA assistance on Greyhound is lacking. You can e-mail me at sgb1221@fuse.net or call 513-541-0322. If you do not have email and money is a problem, call me collect.

From Wendy Edey, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada:

Thirty-five years ago I entered the adult world with small technologies: a white cane, a braille alarm clock, a slate and stylus. I never imagined the time when I would have a talking clock-radio, a talking thermostat, a talking computer, a scanner that reads to me, a braille printer that prints things I can read and a navigational aid that tells me where I am and what direction I am going. I am infinitely grateful to the people who have created this magnificent technological abundance. But amid all this bounty, I worry that when it is time to replace my old stove, I won't be able to find one I can use. I felt a flutter of hope when I read the Ziegler article about assistive technology and universal design. But that hope evaporated when it totally missed the point on the current problem for blind people. You can't make the inscrutable electronic displays on today's stoves, dishwashers and laundry machines accessible by labeling them with tape, braille or silicone. I would be interested to read an article that addresses design solutions to today's issues, and if the subject is being addressed in an organized fashion, I would be willing to make a contribution to the advocacy effort. What a shame it will be if I, having gained so much wonderful technology, am forced to turn the cooking over to the sighted people in the house. Our information-sharing systems could definitely be improved. It really isn't very satisfactory to glibly tell us that we have to shop around and contact manufacturers. I am likely to need a new stove some Friday evening when I am expecting a crowd, and a repair-man tells me he cannot replace the elements in the old one. I dream of a world where I would know how to get current, relevant information when I need a new stove.

From Ayn Apelman, Pittsburgh, PA:

I'm writing to thank you for publishing the September article on Rami Rabby. Reading his name struck a silver chord since I know him! I met him only once, but he left such a good impression on me. It happened when, in 1975, I traveled to Israel with the Jewish Braille Institute to attend the first world conference on the Jewish blind. He was a delegate there. Even then I realized what an achiever he would be. I admire and respect his great determination and perseverance in achieving his goals. After all, it's hard enough for a sighted person to break in to managerial and diplomatic positions! He is definitely a role model for all of us.

I also enjoyed the articles about the companies represented at the ACB and NFB conventions and the story, "Slipping Beauty." I should read it out loud to my mother with a good Jewish dialect.

I would also like to respond to Jo Luland's query on the repair or purchasing of an Optacon. After a lot of researching I located a private individual, Leo Drell, who services TSI products. Call 818-909-9453.

I own an Optacon R1D that I no longer use. Does anyone know how I would go about selling this? I don't know how much to charge for the unit or for shipping. If someone could advise me, call 412-278-5057.

From Tim Hendel, Huntsville, AL:

In response to the July editorial, I have been reading Special Notices for many years and have occasionally bought or sold something through this section. I have never at any time been cheated, defrauded or mistreated by any reader whom I contacted. I would urge everyone to try to represent the condition of something being sold as accurately as possible. But when this is not done, it may not be the fault of the person placing the notice. Perhaps someone has died, and a spouse or relative is trying to dispose of items left behind. The person placing the notice may have an incomplete understanding of how the item is supposed to work. If a buyer has concerns, they should be discussed before the transaction is complete.

To those who say that sellers ask too high a price: I would say that when a price seems too high, I simply do not attempt to purchase the item. That same price may be just right for someone else, who either has more money or values the item more than I do.

I am concerned about the practice, which now seems to be more common, of people selling valuable items that may be worth several hundred dollars, and supplying only a first name and an e-mail address. I always use my full name, city and state. I think this gives me more credibility, especially if the item I wish to sell is costly.

From Martin Chismar, Jersey City, NJ:

I am responding to Clayton Jacobs, who feels he has experienced discriminatory treatment at the hands of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon church. I have experienced similar discrimination, and have witnessed discrimination in various churches. Mr. Jacobs should arrange a private meeting with the pastor of the church to explain how he feels. Due to the discriminatory treatment that I've seen, this one blind eye will never be found near the door of a church. I don't set foot in a church. I have no use for churches in any way, shape or form, and I see a lot of discrimination against the handicapped in a lot of churches. I can certainly understand Mr. Jacobs's feelings, and if he left the Mormon church I wouldn't blame him. If I were in his shoes, I would do the same thing. I hope I haven't offended any Ziegler readers. If I have, I'm sorry, but I feel that I should speak my mind here.

From Scottie Martin, Watauga, TN:

I would like to encourage other Ziegler readers to take an interest in politics. It is annoying listening to politicians sell themselves. Each candidate tries to convince us of his or her qualifications. I've heard people say that they don't want anything to do with a party because they are voting for the individual--not the party. Each party will choose the candidate whom they believe best promotes its agenda. Next summer each party will choose one candidate, then we'll be voting for the party. If we vote in the primaries, we will be voting for one candidate. Our vote may not choose the winner, but voting for a loser is not all bad--and it's a cheap license to complain. If the loser gets enough support, the winner will take notice.

From Gerardo Corripio, Tampico, Mexico:

How sad it is that the U.S. government hasn't worried about accessible currency, a task that the Mexican government did undertake. It sought the help of blind people as testers of different tactile methods to incorporate into future bills. The testers agreed on the length system for currency: the longer the bill, the higher the denomination. The process of redesigning the money is slow, with two denominations now available: 20 and 50 pesos. But life is definitely getting a lot easier, and this is allowing me to better organize my wallet. I'm already looking forward to the next group of denominations when they come out. How is life for the readers in countries where accessible money is already in use? What tactile systems do their bills incorporate?

I am also writing to respond to Alan Bartlett's letter in June in which he stated that, when reading braille, a person creates his or her unique internal voice, and this is what makes reading braille more enjoyable than listening to a tape. One would think that with the advent of digital braille, avid readers like myself could go along with the technical flow and purchase braille displays, a feat nearly unthinkable in Mexico as in the rest of Latin America, due mainly to the extremely high costs of importing this technology. However, in this region it's common to help each other- - thus technology that verbalizes digital braille files has been developed. Though it's not the same to be able to read a braille Arthur Clarke novel, at least we are able to burn five or six books onto MP3 CD's, instead of carrying around 20 braille volumes. As in all things in life, digital braille has its advantages and disadvantages. But sometimes I long to be able to get my hands on a braille book and be able to read the old-fashioned way, imagining each voice internally.

Every month I devour the Ziegler from cover to cover. It feels like an old friend coming to visit. I learn something new in every issue.