Blind persons and mobility instructors

Blind persons and mobility instructors

Joe, Chris, Jessie, Ann, Ken, Dianne, Natalie, Holly, Frank, Alexis, and Heaven knows Who Else. 

 

Joe cuts straight to the heart of this discussion when he writes, "Presumptions against blind folks being O and M instructors or limitations upon them are clearly discriminatory on there face and violate the letter and spirit of the ADA, Section 504 and the Constitution of the United States of America (14th Amendment, Article V, (equal protection and due process clause)".

 

When we decide that a blind individual cannot train or teach O&M to blind people, we become no different than all of the sighted people over all of the years who said that blind people could not attend public school, work in food service, teach school, work in competetive employment of any sort, based on their belief that blindness was too severe of a handicap.   Very few who have responded to this conversation have asked, "How can a blind person teach O&M?" or, "Under what conditions might a blind O&M instructor provide such services?" 

No, the majority jump right in shaking their heads and declaring that under no circumstances would they ever allow a blind O&M instructor to teach them. 

Don't we sound just exactly like all those oppressive agency administrators down through the years?  "Put them in a safe place, a Workshop where they can feel productive while we take care of them". 

"You mustn't build your hopes too big.  After all, you are blind."  Or, Be grateful that there are those who care enough for you that we go to the trouble of providing for your wants." 

 

As a Rehabilitation Teacher who has taught cane travel and orientation to many blind people, I will never take a student into a place I would not feel confident traveling by myself.  And trust me, there are many such places in this frantic, mad nation.  But I have taken blind students into very noisy, confusing situations when I am absolutely certain that they are safe with me. 

The example that comes to mind is our state fair at Puyallup(pronounced, Pew Al up). 

 Each year we took our students from the Adult Training Center to the Fair.  One of the largest in the nation, it is overflowing with activities, people, horses, vehicles, roving musicians(most dangerous), and many twisty little walk ways where one can become totally confused and lost. 

Except it is impossible to become totally lost in this confined space.  We never lost a single student.  But by taking in tow the totally blind students, I was able to drive home the lesson that we can become helplessly lost and find ourselves again.  And have fun doing it.  And all who came through unscathed were allowed to chip in and buy the Director icecream on a stick, or Indian Fry Bread, or an Elephant Ear. 

 

Carl Jarvis