Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack O'keeffe) (04/16/91)
Index Number: 14983
V> Did you ever notice that just as your in one of those phases
Hi Vix! Last Thursday I had been invited to speak to a group of
seniors in Ohio about coping with hearing loss. At the end, one
asked me if deaf people are allowed to drive cars. For real!
I was quite proud of myself for keeping my cool, since there was
no malice intended. It was a serious question - off the wall,
but serious. I just explained that most places they simply
endorse our license to require side mirrors.
Interestingly, the proposed ATBCB "guidelines" for the ADA does
address the subject of ATM access for blind people. Comment on
the guidelines closes tomorrow. I sure hope everyone got their
licks in on time, I know I did.
V> where life seems okay and people nice, despite handicaps and
V> health problems, then out of the clear blue will come some
V> stupid abled person to throw the monkey wrench in the machinery?
V>
V> . Today, I go to Bank of America where I am a "long" time
V> customer with both personal and business accounts, attended by
V> room mate who will be endorsing a check over to me which I will
V> then deposit into my business account.
V> Everything is going smoothly, when this new teller decides, for
V> whatever reason, that my signature made before her on the
V> deposit slip is a little different looking than it is on the
V> back of my automatic teller card. For those of you who don't
V> know, "I am blind for crying out loud!!" My signature probably
V> looks somewhat different every time I sign it!
V> So, as if that isn't enough, she leans into my microphone and
V> says, "Well, how you can use teller machine?" (She spoke with an
V> Asian accent.) In effect, she was suggesting that because I am
V> blind I would not be able to use an Automatic teller machine and
V> therefore there was a good chance that the Aurtomatic teller
V> card was not mine!
V> Now, some of you who know that I can be quite emotional at
V> times, might be surprised to know that I "Generally" have no
V> problems with peoples misconceptions and perceptions concerning
V> my disabilities and will even go out of my way to educate
V> others. BUT!!!!! This is the kind of stupidity that just drives
V> me right up the wall! Can you imagine, a bank teller suggesting
V> that you may be using someone elses bank card because you are
V> blind and therefore could'nt possibly use an Automatic Teller
V> machine!!!! As I write this, I am still smoldering and highly
V> tempted to file a complaint with the Operations Manager at the
V> Branch! Still, she was a new teller and I generally like people,
V> and hopefully venting it here will get it out of my system!
V>
V> Where in the heck do some people come up with this stuff????
V> Grrrrrrrrrr!!!!
V> Keepin' the faith!
V>
V>
V> . Vixen
V>
V>
V> --- TBBS v2.1/NM
V> * Origin: Broken Rose - Like Hell I Can't (203/11)
... Xpress Yourself!
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!26!Jack.O'keeffe
Internet: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.orgVixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Vixen) (04/24/91)
Index Number: 15090
Hi Jack,
What? Deaf people can drive cars, are you serious? Nah, get out of
here! (Smile)
I don't what it is Jack, that puts us in a frame of mind where one
day we can tolerate such silliness or insensitivity and the next we
cannot. Perahps we have daily limits?
What a silly thought, a blind person could not use an ATM and so
therefore, is likely to be using someones stolen card!!! Heheh!
What on earth would that poor soul think if she knew that I can
operate actual computers! Yikes!
Some of the ways I can use ATMs seem like they should be almost
obvious! The first and most obvious would be, "with assistance!" A
lot of the functions (at my bank) I know by rote and can do step by
step without help at all. I "just might" not be totally blind and
can use hyperoptics and so much more.
But nooooooooooo, immediately "that teller" has to assume that I am
using a stolen card because "she thinks" my signature made before
her on a paper deposit slip is different than the signature made on
the back of a slippery plastic ATM card (by a blind person yet!
Heheh! Oh well.
And yeah, what about Brailling those machines!
I suppose I should be happy that the teller did'nt think my Telex
was a terrorist device and have security pull me to the floor and
yank out my hearing aids and take me to a vault for a body search!
Oh well, life is a bowl of cherries! Pits and all! heheh!
Keepin' the faith!
. Vixen
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!203!11!Vixen
Internet: Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.orgDonna.Siren@p19.f5.n396.z1.fidonet.org (Donna Siren) (04/24/91)
Index Number: 15092
V> different looking than it is on the back of my automatic teller card. For
V> those of you who don't know, "I am blind for crying out loud!!" My
V> signature probably looks somewhat different every time I sign it!
Why don't you get a signature stamp? You only have to sign your
name once--or maybe several times and they take the one that looks
the best and I don't know how they do it, but they put it in to the
stamp and thereafter, all you have to do is press the stamp against
a piece of paper and voila, you've signed your name. There are
several kinds of stamps, but I recommend the kind I have. It is
refillable, so when it runs out of ink, you don't have to throw it
away. I use the stamp with my credit card and I've never had a
problem. Actually, most of the sales people have never seen such a
thing and are fascinated by it.
Donna
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!396!5.19!Donna.Siren
Internet: Donna.Siren@p19.f5.n396.z1.fidonet.orgVixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Vixen) (04/24/91)
Index Number: 15096
Hi Ann,
Yes, I will most certainly speak with the bank manager at B of A
and see if my letting him know how I was treated and how I felt
about that treatment, both as a disABLED patron and a long time B
of A patron.
Everyone here seems to share your same feelings and so I think it
is probably very correct that I take some educational action here.
I will let you know how it goes!
Keepin' the faith!
. Vixen
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!203!11!Vixen
Internet: Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.orgHenry.Kasten@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.org (Henry Kasten) (04/25/91)
Index Number: 15169
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
A little about me, I am a Biochemist and Structural Engineer.
Six years ago, I had 20/20 vision, within 3 months I lost total use
of my retinas, totally blind. I now work as a Project Manager in
Engineering Design for construction.
Through the years, I have had people ask me question that I
thought simple. But, they were only ignorant, they had not the
experience to know the answer, so they asked me. I would try to
answer their questions as pleasantly as possible and hoped I taught
them something.
Why should it be any different when someone asks me a simple
question about my disability? They are only uneducated, curious,
not mean or ugly. They honestly can't imagine how I can do the
things I do. I don't have any problem enlightening them in a
pleasant and cordial way.
I find it hard to believe that most who responded to Vixen's
message about "stupidity" knew everything there was to know about
all different types of disabilities. I am sure they had to ask
some questions. Some of those questions may even appear to be
stupid. They were not, you just did not know!
When reading through this conference and Blinktalk, I am
amazed at the hard hearted and rude responses some people give to
those who ask ignorant questions or make statements purely out of
unfamiliarity. A smile and a thoughtful answer would do a heck of
a lot for your cause as opposed to thinking up snide and rude
remarks to set those "stupid" people straight. Try it for awhile,
it might help your blood pressure.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!130!10!Henry.Kasten
Internet: Henry.Kasten@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.orgShawn.Keene@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.org (Shawn Keene) (04/25/91)
Index Number: 15170
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
Yes i d no what your saying.
I hate the way sighted people are so uneducated in the blind.
i have had people ask me how i dial the phone. if i shave my self.
and why do you go to movies.
i was at the movies the other night with a friend.
and the tickit taker said i admir you for coming hear.
i felt insulted just because i am blind means i sould not go to movie.
does he expect me to sit around the house and feel sorry for myself.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!130!10!Shawn.Keene
Internet: Shawn.Keene@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.orgMargo.Downey@f60.n382.z1.fidonet.org (Margo Downey) (04/25/91)
Index Number: 15186
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
The ticket person didn't know any better. The fact that you went to the
movies--just 'cause you just wanted to--educated him, I hope.
Just by doing things--by getting out and doing the things each of us
does--furthers people's feelings, thoughts and impressions about us.
A person, long ago, said to me, "I don't really like so-and-so--but he's
blind--I really shouldn't say that." I said, "you may not like certain
sighted people; it's okay not to like a blind person, too--we're people, too,
with faults and good points."
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!382!60!Margo.Downey
Internet: Margo.Downey@f60.n382.z1.fidonet.orgNancy.Feldman@f605.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Nancy Feldman) (04/25/91)
Index Number: 15199
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
SK> I hate the way sighted people are so uneducated in the blind.
SK> i have had people ask me how i dial the phone. if i shave my
SK> self. and why do you go to movies.
SK> i was at the movies the other night with a friend.
SK> and the tickit taker said i admir you for coming hear.
SK> i felt insulted just because i am blind means i sould not go to
SK> movie. does he expect me to sit around the house and feel sorry
SK> for myself.
I used to be bugged by the questions sighted people ask, but I
guess after 24 years of it I have become desensitized. Either that
or I have found enough sharp retorts to embarrass those with really
stupid questions.
I, too, go to the movies; quite regularly. My husband and other
friends are very good about describing things for me. They have
learned just what needs describing and what doesn't.
But usually when someone says, "How do you dial the phone" or "How
can you change a diaper" or "Do you really fiddle around inside
your computer? How brave!" I usually say: "Yes, I can do that;
and I can do it in the dark, can you?"
-> MegaMail v2.01 #0:Lumpy and grumpy and proud of it!
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!105!605!Nancy.Feldman
Internet: Nancy.Feldman@f605.n105.z1.fidonet.orgcmfaltz@phoenix.princeton.edu (Christine Marie Faltz) (05/01/91)
Index Number: 15269 Henry, it appears that you have a lot to be thankful for. Though you went totally blind in a short while, you are still employed. Many folks who go blind later in life (as well as many who are born blind) are not so fortunate in the job market (just look at the statistics!) I agree with you that most questions stem from ignorance and curiosity, and in all possible cases, one should be polite and patient. However, the non-disabled owe us the same politeness--the politeness that would come naturally if a person would stop to use common sense before asking certain questions; certain questions and assumptions are STUPID, and there is no way around it. "How do you know where your mouth is when you eat?" "Youare blind! Don't use those stairs by your self!" "When you were a child, were you afraid of the darkness that you're in?" "How do you have sex?" Then, of course, there are the people, who despite your patient reminders not to pet or feed your guide dog, do it anyway. Do you expect an employer who spends his or her time wondering about how the blind function on a daily basis to hire that person, regardless of qualifications? A woman in a drugstore once shouted at me, "What are you doing out here by yourself? Do you know what people do to women, let alone blind women? She then turned to her companion and said, "They should keep them safe, somewhere where no one will take advantage of them." Sorry, Henry; but I don't have to be polite all the time when I'm publicly humiliated. Christine ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Poor is the person | Christine Faltz | | whose permission | 33 Prospect Ave. | | depends upon the | Princeton, NJ 08540 | | perceptions of others. | "Who is John Galt?" | -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nancy.Feldman@f605.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Nancy Feldman) (05/03/91)
Index Number: 15290
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
Hi Stew,
You say that is our responsibility as blind people to teach the
sighted public about ourselves. At what cost? Should I allow this
individual to make me late for work or school? Should I allow this
individual to interrupt an important conversation at a restaurant
or important library research just so they can satisfy their
curiosity?
If I'm approached while waiting for a bus or while riding the bus,
no problem. I'm not busy, just waitig like everyone else. But I
have a life to live! I have things to accomplish just like those
sighted people you want me to teach. Shouldn't one of the first
things that we teach others be this fact? Shouldn't we teach
sighted people that we, too, have goals, jobs, places to go?
I'm not advocating rudeness, just a little courtesy for the sighted
person as well as the blind one.
-> MegaMail v2.01 #0:Consider what I have not said.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!105!605!Nancy.Feldman
Internet: Nancy.Feldman@f605.n105.z1.fidonet.orgMargo.Downey@f60.n382.z1.fidonet.org (Margo Downey) (05/06/91)
Index Number: 15404
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
It's difficult--but it seems that sometimes one has to look at what the person
really wants to know and how to present it--and all we can do is try--can't
please everybody. Right?
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!382!60!Margo.Downey
Internet: Margo.Downey@f60.n382.z1.fidonet.org