The editorial staff reserves the right to edit letters for content, style and space available. Opinions expressed are those of the authors, not those of the American Council of the Blind, its staff or elected officials. "The Braille Forum" is not responsible for the opinions expressed herein. We will not print letters unless you sign your name and give us your address.
Philosophy and Attitude
There are two articles which appeared in the February 2002 issue of "The Braille Forum" that set out the keystone philosophy of the American Council of the Blind: the first by our president, Chris Gray, entitled "The Incident in the Taxi: Some Thoughts about Attitudes and Advocacy," and second, "Snits and Fits," by Carl Jarvis.
The core of our philosophy is, of course, our belief in reasoning and educating the public to the fact that they should not be frightened by blindness and that, in fact, we are the same as they are, notwithstanding our blindness.
I taught communications law at Howard University School of Communications for a number of years. A question I posed to my students regularly was: "Where do you exist in your body? Your heart? Your genitals? Your skin? Your eyes? Or your brain?"
Of course, the answer to the question is you reside in your brain.
Your heart is only a muscle which pumps blood through your body. Your genitals give you pleasure and reproduction. Your skin, irrespective of its color, is only an organ that holds your body together. Your eyes are only one source of information for your brain. Your power to think, your memories, your hopes, your ambitions, and your decision-making are all in your brain.
Poor or non-existent eyesight can be unimportant if we are properly trained to use the senses of hearing, touching, smelling and tasting. In sum, our eyes may be different from other people's eyes, but we are still equal to others.
Asking a sighted person to describe a picture to you, drive you in a car, or read to you does not make you unacceptable or inferior.
Of course, if individuals or groups can't be troubled to understand this kind of reasoning, because of their emotions or because they don't want to be bothered by us, we have to do what the old adage tells us:
"Sometimes you have to hit a stubborn mule on the head with a 2 x 4 to get his attention." I suggest that the best 2 x 4s for us might include peaceful picketing or demonstrations, going to the media with a problem, or resorting to the courts and lawsuits!
-- Rudy Lutter, Washington, D.C.
Regarding WBU and UEBC
After reading the December 2001 Braille Forum article entitled "WBU North America/Caribbean Region says no to UEBC in 2002," I expressed my concern to its author, ACB President Chris Gray, that this headline and his subsequent comment in the article (that the WBU regional members "opposed the adoption of the UEBC in 2002") might mislead some readers as to the context of the decision taken at a regional meeting earlier last year. Gray suggested that I write a clarifying letter to "The Braille Forum."
The letter to the Braille Authority of North America and the International Council on English Braille from me on behalf of our WBU Region which Gray included in its entirety does in fact state the facts clearly, i.e., that our region recommended to the International Council on English Braille that it postpone the vote scheduled at its January 2002 meeting until further consumer testing can take place.
Gray was absent for the majority of the discussion and therefore would not have fully appreciated the positive context of this recommendation. Some members committed funds to assist the Braille Authority of North America to carry out testing while others left the meeting agreeing to approach potential funding sources seeking support for this.
It was my observation that in general, members considered the work carried out by this world wide group of braille specialists on behalf of IECBI to be thorough and extensive. However, we felt that a "scientifically" based testing of braille users here in North America is required to confirm its validity and identify any specific problematic areas or issues.
I take comfort in knowing that debates and discussion about braille are taking place throughout the world. Many will recall the discussions of the 1970s and '80s conceding the imminent replacement of braille with technology. Braille, as the primary tool of literacy for the 160 million blind people worldwide, has a bright and solid future.
-- Jim Sanders, President, North America/Caribbean Region,
The World Blind Union
Regarding "Sighted People Have Rights Too"
In the March 2002 Braille Forum there was an article, "Sighted People Have Rights Too." This expressed the feelings I have had at times. I have had low vision for the last five years but the majority of my life was spent as a sighted person. Becoming a partially sighted person has been quite an education for me and I am sure most in the sighted world do not understand or know about the varying degrees of sight. I think we need to educate them at every opportunity. Basically most people want to help and they just don't understand or do not think about the words that they use or that a casual comment might have the unexpected or unintended consequence of hurting someone's feelings. Although I have always been an independent person I try to accept an offer of help with good grace. There are times I really need it.
P.S.: I do enjoy "The Braille Forum." I think the articles are interesting and relevant. I particularly like the legislative reports, interviews and Here & There.
-- Marilyn E. Wright, St. Augustine, Fla.
Seeking Abacus Teacher
Bob Groff of Quitman, Ark. is seeking someone to teach him abacus. He would like someone experienced in teaching abacus who has worked with blind and visually impaired people as well as those with learning disabilities. He's trying to bring up his math skills so he can take the GED. Please correspond with him via cassette. His address is 487 PC Circle, Quitman, AR 72131.