On Mon, 26 Nov 2012 11:22:00 -0500, Amy Guskin
 wrote:

>>> On Sun, 25 Nov 2012 22:38:50 -0500, Nicole Massey wrote
>(in article ):
>
>>=20
>> "Amy Guskin"  wrote in message=20
>> news:0001HW.CCD823C6074D0F57B051B9BF@news.eternal-september.org...
>>>>> On Sun, 25 Nov 2012 09:03:21 -0500, Nicole Massey wrote
>>> (in article ):
>>>=20
>>>> The NFB is a problem sometimes for blind folks. They contend that=20
>>>> 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 u=
se a
>>>> long "glide" cane that doesn't contact the ground, and they're also=20
>>>> against
>>>> talking elevators and chirp signals on traffic lights.  <<
>>>=20
>>> Well, that is extremely interesting and curious. Nicole, I am curious=
 what
>>> your position is on all of that?
>>=20
>> I find the position that blindness isn't a handicap to be one that mig=
ht be=20
>> useful in getting political support, but not of much use actually help=
ing=20
>> those who are blind.<<
>
>That's really unfortunate. I wonder why they would be so positional if i=
t=20
>actually fails to help most of the community they aim to represent?
>
>>> And I'm=20
>> neutral on the traffic signals -- unless everyone is driving a Prius <=
<
>
>Guilty!  I am quite careful when I see *anyone* crossing anywhere near m=
e,=20
>because it really is completely silent.
>
>>> My values are more=20
>> in keeping with the American Council of the Blind, though I'm a bit=20
>> frustrated that these two organization were so busy fighting with each=
 other=20
>> during the talks for the ADA that the mobility folks managed to get br=
oad=20
>> applications of what are commonly known as "wheelchair ramps of death"=
 by=20
>> blind folks. (Curbs are superior for blind people over ramps because t=
hey=20
>> signal the end of a sidewalk and the beginning of a more dangerous str=
eet -- =20
>
>> ramps with bumps, sometimes jokingly called "Acne Ramps" or "measles r=
amps"=20
>> are better than nude ramps but not as good as curbs)  <<
>
>I don't think I've ever seen a ramp with bumps =8B=A0will keep an eye ou=
t for=20
>them. And, what you say about the curb signalling the start of the stree=
t=20
>makes complete sense! I had no idea there was so much division in the bl=
ind=20
>community. I guess it's like any other insular community =8B a theatre t=
roupe,=20
>a family, a newsgroup =8B familiarity ultimately breeds dissent!
>
>Amy

My wife Pam and I have been fighting these battles for years.  Yes,
the NFB seems intent on preventing anyone from actually helping the
blind, while Pam will take any help she can get!  Right now her
mobility skills are getting almost dormant, since there is no where to
walk except the mail box out here, and I usually drive and guide her
when we go out. She is also allergic to most dogs.  :-(

Nicole,
Do you use a color identifier?  Or just not where colors.  We are now
making the Rainbow Color Reader if you are interested.

Charlie
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