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From: Paula.Mack@f6.n377.z1.fidonet.org (Paula Mack)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Blindness And The Blindfold
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Date: 31 Oct 90 03:00:29 GMT
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[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 HK> In a message to Bill K you said, "A sighted person wearing a
 HK> blindfold in order to simulate blindness only re-enforces their
 HK> fears and all the stereotypes that we all have to live with."  
 HK> sounds good, but have you tested your theory?  If you have, I
 HK> reckon people here in Texas must act differently.  A couple of
 HK> weeks ago the Corps of Engineers sponsored Barrier Town.

Hi Henry,

Henry, I guess I didn't explain myself very well in that message,
because obviously, you think that I was sying that things like Barrier
town are not good.  However, let me explain.

I make a distinction between experiments similar to what you guys did
with Barrier town and theusual "where a blindfold for fifteen minutes"
routine.  You see, the way you explain Barrier town, it sounds like the
people did a lot more than just stand around with blindfolds on and
grope about.  You actually simulated the problems that those of us with
disabilities face everyday and the participants got to have a "taste" of
those problems.

However, many of the exhibits I've seen just sort of provide blindfolds,
wheelchairs, etc. and let the participants try them on for size.  I
don't feel that this kind of thing gives the participant any insight
into the disability, but rather re-enforces my fears.

Sorry I was unclear before.

Paula

... Press F1 to Reboot

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