Linda.Iverson@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.org (Linda Iverson) (11/28/90)
Index Number: 12012
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
Hi, Ross!
This is to acknowledge your message and say I had a lovely day Thanksgiving
and hope you had a good nap. I can't say any more any better than
what you said. After reading messages here and in Abled, it seems
that no disability is free from expense, and often the end-user has
no way to get the very thing that would change his life by providing
more independence. It's a bit of a paradox that the State often does
buy equipment and sometimes very expensive stuff and provide it to
someone, but that same State often won't buy some little relatively
inexpensive thing! All of this is frustrating, and you know what else
makes me really angry? These programs for kids where they "pretend"
to have a disability--temporarily blindfold a child so he can see what
it's like to be blind, have a kid sit in a wheelchair for an few minutes,
etc. All that does is convince the kid the disability is just as bad
as they thought, and probably worse. If I want to know how a person
does something I'll ask. Anyway, let's say I sat in this wheelchair.
If it really got tough I know I can get out. If you have a permanent
disability you live with it and find alternative ways to do things.
Well, enough; you'll probably have to take a nap again. Now, let's
see if we can find a way to get all of us the devices we need!
Take care!
Linda
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Internet: Linda.Iverson@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.orgcollins@iastate.edu (Collins Alvin Gene) (12/01/90)
Index Number: 12080 As you said, it is indeed "a bit of a paradox" what devices some states will and will not purchase to help a disabled person. In my own case, the state Commission for the Blind would not purchase any special computer addaptive equipment while I was attending classes at Control Data. It was only after I was employed at ISU that thay decided to help with addaptive equipment. I can sort of understand their reasoning, but the computer sure would have come in handy during my job search. Not to mention the fact that it would have looked very impressive on my resume` to be able to say that I owned and was using my own microcomputer. But enough of this rambling for now. Talk to you later! Gene Collins (collins@iastate.edu)
James.Womack@f14.n300.z1.fidonet.org (James Womack) (12/04/90)
Index Number: 12165
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
I believe the purpose of having kids pretend to be disabled is to sensitize
them to disabled peers. The alternative is to have kids ignorant of
their disabled peers and consequently mock and ridicule them. I think
the pretend program helps kids to get a better understanding and respect
for what disabled people endure as a matter of day to day life but
would beat the unprepared down to the ground if faced with it suddenly.
It is a good idea, probably needs to be handled a bit better, but people
like you and I are whatis needed to help those people help. The ones
who set up these programs. They could use our positive input.
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Internet: James.Womack@f14.n300.z1.fidonet.orgLinda.Iverson@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.org (Linda Iverson) (12/21/90)
Index Number: 12535
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
Hi, James!
Well, I'm not sure I completely agree with your position on the kids
with no disabilities pretending they have one. I see what you're saying
and guess I agree overall. If the people who plan the programs would
come to us with disabilities and ask how we do things and what can
we share to make the experience more real I could agree to that. However,
generally, and I realize there are exceptions to every rule, they don't
ask us. When I lived in North Dakota, a guy with cerebral palsy had
begun a program where people with different disabilities would go and
talk to schoolchildren. However, for some reason--probably money--the
real people were replaced with volunteers bringing puppets. Well,
even if a volunteer is familiar with a disability they can spout "facts"
as they have heard them, but they can't recount personal experiences.
I don't recall ever being teased in school--maybe I forgot. I'm not
saying it doesn't happen, but I believe the parents' should be educated
ahd have a good attitude about their child's disability so that child
will already be strong in his self-image by the time he gets to school.
I know some blind people who won't bring braille books or magazines
to bus terminals, doctors' offices, etc., because they know people
will stare. Well, I figure that's their problem. I would rather read
than sit and get bored. Occasionally I've gotten into some interesting
conversations because someone asked me about braille. Anyway, good
point, and I think we all have to look for ways to let groups know
we're willing to share our knowledge.
Take care,
Linda
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