understand are accommodating and are happy to help and assist. Those who do understand are not not aware of the use of a white cane, which is the universal symbol of a person afflicted with blindness.
Q: What do you believe the cause is for this discrimination and judgement?
A: The cause may be lack of information, awareness, and sympathy.
Q: Does this discrimination and judgement hurt you in any way?
A: Of course it does hurt to be treated this way. Makes me feel like less of a person.
Q: Are other disabled people you know also affected by this challenge?
A: Yes, I work with a company where three quarters of the staff is visually impaired or blind and often fully sighted people ignore the needs of the blind co-workers. The effects on the blind people are diminished self esteem and self doubt about their ability to complete their work. With regard to the fully sighted people their insensitivity and lack of sympathy/empathy often leads to their dismissal.
Q:What are some things you can do that other people think you can’t?
A: By using the latest technology designed for use by blind people, I am able to read books, use the remote control on my television, change stations on my radio, use of a computer, and use my phone and send and receive text messages. And enjoy movies at a local theatre.
This is my interview with Blandina Sandoval.
Q: What do you believe is the cause for this discrimination and judgement?
A: I truly believe that the main cause for this discrimination towards my husband’s blindness is a lack of sensitivity and ignorance. Lots of times people don’t know how to deal with a person that is not completely whole in their eyes. People may make inaccurate judgements in thinking that a blind person cannot possibly “see the whole picture”, sort of speak. Also, lack of educating the public.
Q: Are you also discriminated against and judged because you are part of a disabled person’s family?
A: In a way yes, I feel that not enough accommodations are made for the blind person and their family. For example, not all places have family bathrooms where I can take my husband when he and I are out by ourselves. Although it is getting better.
Q: What are some ways you have seen discrimination and judgement of disabled people?
A: Recently when my husband and I were at the movies he had urgent need of a bathroom and the family bathroom was occupied and he could not wait, so I took him to the women’s bathroom. I felt it would be okay since my husband’s disability is blindness. But one woman went to complain to the management.