"Amy Guskin"  wrote in message 
news:0001HW.CCD901580780FE19B051B9BF@news.eternal-september.org...
>> On Sun, 25 Nov 2012 22:38:50 -0500, Nicole Massey wrote
(in article ):

>
> "Amy Guskin"  wrote in message
> news:0001HW.CCD823C6074D0F57B051B9BF@news.eternal-september.org...
>>>> On Sun, 25 Nov 2012 09:03:21 -0500, Nicole Massey wrote
>> (in article ):
>>
>>> The NFB is a problem sometimes for blind folks. They contend that
>>> blindness
>>> isn't a handicap, society's approach to it is what gives blind folks
>>> trouble. They're anti-guide dog, instead preferring blind folks to use a
>>> long "glide" cane that doesn't contact the ground, and they're also
>>> against
>>> talking elevators and chirp signals on traffic lights.  <<
>>
>> Well, that is extremely interesting and curious. Nicole, I am curious 
>> what
>> your position is on all of that?
>
> I find the position that blindness isn't a handicap to be one that might 
> be
> useful in getting political support, but not of much use actually helping
> those who are blind.<<

That's really unfortunate. I wonder why they would be so positional if it
actually fails to help most of the community they aim to represent?

>> And I'm
> neutral on the traffic signals -- unless everyone is driving a Prius <<

Guilty!  I am quite careful when I see *anyone* crossing anywhere near me,
because it really is completely silent.

>> My values are more
> in keeping with the American Council of the Blind, though I'm a bit
> frustrated that these two organization were so busy fighting with each 
> other
> during the talks for the ADA that the mobility folks managed to get broad
> applications of what are commonly known as "wheelchair ramps of death" by
> blind folks. (Curbs are superior for blind people over ramps because they
> signal the end of a sidewalk and the beginning of a more dangerous 
> street --

> ramps with bumps, sometimes jokingly called "Acne Ramps" or "measles 
> ramps"
> are better than nude ramps but not as good as curbs)  <<

I don't think I've ever seen a ramp with bumps ‹ will keep an eye out for
them. And, what you say about the curb signalling the start of the street
makes complete sense! I had no idea there was so much division in the blind
community. I guess it's like any other insular community ‹ a theatre troupe,
a family, a newsgroup ‹ familiarity ultimately breeds dissent!
---
My personal take on the NFB's position is that it's one they can use to get 
more political clout.
There's even more dissent in the deaf community on the implant divide. But 
yeah, the blind community breaks among several lines -- ACB/NFB, 
Congenital/later onset, etc.
--- SBBSecho 2.20-Win32
 * Origin: Time Warp of the Future BBS - Home of League 10 (1:340/400)