[misc.handicap] Traffic Signalz and NFB

Ted.Young@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Ted Young) (12/05/90)

Index Number: 12253

In messages concerning audible traffic signals Al Hoffman said

"I think its simple.  Yell at bad lights that get in the way,
applaude the good lights, and don't worry if it is a problem.
Nothing is for free ya know."

Al, you're right, nothing is for free and the price of those
unneeded, often unwanted signals is higher than just the purchase
price.  Although it appears that only the public pays the price for
them, the truth is that we the blind pay far more.  It is far
easier for the public to believe that they have solved our problems
with some mechanical device that they can point to and celebrate,
than to get that same public to do what really matters such as
providing equal opportunity in employment, promotion, etc.  But
then, you shouldn't complain, after all that signal will be
cheerfully chirping at you and getting in your way when you leave
that unsuccessful job interview, and, isn't that proof that
somebody is taking care of you.  In fact, the existance of that
burbler of beneficence will only make you seem more of an
ungreatful slob when you complain about the job you should have
had.

"Some NFB-types would like the world to know they are damned gonna
fight for their rights, and dammit that will come first.  Thats
just strange in my opinion, you should fight for your right when
you need to, but there is no need to keep beating people over the
head with the idea--it won't do you or them any good."

In my experience people who believe the above sentence are reacting
to their own discomfort about fighting for a particular right with
which they disagree and since, one remembers such discomfort longer
than one remembers accomplishments with which one agrees, they
assume that such fights are the core of the movement.  The
statement is then more of a reason for introspection on where one
stands concerning the rights of blind persons in our society, than
a condemnation of the NFB.

"neither organization for the blind is big enough to cause that
much damage in a real sense, such as the National Rifle
Association, or Right to Life, or National Organization of Women."

By damage I assume that you mean impact and I have heard that
statement before as an excuse to criticize rather than to get
involved and help to improve conditions for the blind in this
country.  Ted

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Jeff.Salzberg@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jeff Salzberg) (12/05/90)

Index Number: 12267

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 TY> It is far easier for the public to believe that they 
 TY> have solved our
 TY> problems with some mechanical device that they can point to and 
 TY> celebrate, than
 TY> to get that same public to do what really matters such as 
 TY> providing equal
 TY> opportunity in employment, promotion, etc.

 Amazing.  Only the NFB could consider equal employment opportunities
 and audible traffic signals to be mutually exclusive.

 Sheesh.

... Let's have more fun in '91!

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