Blind Ettiquette

A friend of mine, Theresa Parker McAdams, and I came up with this list. She was blind and I was a teacher of the blind so the principal thought it would be a good idea for us to share an office/classroom that year.The list was inspired by how atrociously I felt she was being treated at that school and how I had to fight for my students. Later another teacher, Janice Woods and I added to the list. We had a computer class together and she helped as a person who had never worked with the blind by asking the right questions.

• If I bump into you with my cane, I will say, "Excuse me." If you should see me coming, say: "Good morning"--speak to me and call my name so that I will know that you are there. That will greatly help with my not bumping into you.
  
• I am not deaf. Please use your normal tone of voice. I don't have "super-human" hearing either but I do rely on my hearing more.
• Warn me of things I am about to touch things that are about to touch me. Say: "Here's a wet paper towel." "Here's a cold can of soda." Please don't just plop things into my hands, start wiping my face, give me an injection or push or pull me somewhere.
  
• Don't drag me places or push me in front of you. Even with 20/20 vision you cannot see through me to get either of us from one place to another. Nor do you need to drag me like a puppy. Let me walk with you using the sighted guide technique.
• You don't have to change your language to avoid sight references. I also say "See ya later" and "Let me see that."
• Don't talk around me as if I'm not in the room. Don't ask my sighted friend what I would want or how I feel. I can speak for myself.
• I should face you when I speak to you. Please reciprocate that courtesy by facing me when you talk to me. I can hear your voice go off to the side.
  
• When you speak to me in a crowd, call my name or touch me to let me know that you are talking to me.
  
• In class, if you are writing on the board or pointing to a chart speak in specifics. I cannot see what you're talking about when you say this or that. Instead say this plant or that chair. Use "it's on the left" and not "it's over there."
  
• Don't project your feelings. If you are thinking "Gosh, if I were blind, I wouldn't be able to.." and then assume that to be true of me. That is projecting and it most often does me a disservice rather than a service for me.
• Ask me if I will need help with a task---or I will ask for your assistance if it is needed. Do not assume that I need your help and start helping.
• Don't assume that I don't read books, watch TV and movies, send emails, read newspapers, surf the "net" or participate in sports.
• Knock before entering a room. Speak to me and let me now your are there and who you are. Isn't that a common courtesy afforded to anyone?
• I can maneuver steps and staircases. Don't assume I need to avoid them because of my eyes. If my legs work just fine, my cane helps to detect drop-offs.
• Don't "blind-spy." It is the ultimate in rudeness to ask someone to get my reaction while you listen in without making your presence known to me.
• Replace furniture. In a classroom, office or lunchroom, I'd appreciate you pushing chair back in place and putting any of my things back where you found them.
  
• My cane is a tool which helps me explore my environment. It is not a toy or a stick. Please respect it.
• My dog is a tool like my cane. When its harness is up it is working. Please do not distract it from its work.
  

The Hassle Over Bo

My daughter was in first grade she was excited about the Clinton's moving into the White house with Socks their cat. So she wrote Chelsea Clinton a letter that proclaimed her fan-dom: "Dear Chelsea Clinton, I like cats. Socks is cute." Enclosed was one of her wallet sized first grade school portraits.

A few weeks later she receive and eight by ten paw stamped glossy of Mr. Socks Clinton. It was precious. She took it to school to show her teacher and her first grade class.

A bit of fluff went on for a bit about the first cat and the idea of a first cat rather than a first dog and reporters with nothing else to do chased the poor thing over the Whitehouse lawn--I suppose in an attempt to interview Mr. Socks on his political views. Finally Chelsea spoke up and asked them not to bother Socks. He was, as most cats are, an Independent and not in the mood or habit of speaking politics with reporters, being a rather private individual--as most cats are. We stopped hearing from or about Mr. Socks, leading my daughter and myself to wonder what ever became of him. First dog, Beau came on the scene not long after.

Now the current first family has a dog that was promised to the first babies. It's a cute fluffy Portuguese water dog pup. He's been dubbed "Bo." The search was difficult because one of the children has allergies so the dog choice had to be hypoallergenic. Apparently there is such a thing and Bo is it. He's darling. I know the children will be pleased with him. He has the looks of a little girl's dog.

Already there is a hassle in the media with little Bo. He's not exactly a shelter dog. He wasn't exactly rescued from a life or death situation a la Mr. Bob Buttons. As a parent, let's get real, media hounds! If I had to search for the right pet under the right conditions, my number one concern would be for my child's health and not from where the animal came. The article goes on and on ab out the Obama's choice for a dog and where he , Bo, came from. Once again, like chasing Socks across the White house lawn for an interview, these reporters have nothing better to do. Leave Bo alone.