RE: https://disabled.social/@vlrny/116540812062829077

Not voting, as I was born #disabled

In the #blind community, I was #sighted, although I was born with #cataracts and have always been #LegallyBlind. My dad was blind, and navigated everywhere with his #whitecane. He ws part of an #advocacy #organiztion, and he traveled around the #US by air. His sister, my Aunt Buffy, was a #COBOL #programmer for Sears in #Chicago. She took me to her work once. We rode the #El with her #GuideDog, Ginger.

This meant that it was tough to get away with "Blind kids can't. . ." unless I'd actually *tried*..

#RepresentationMatters.

RE: https://me.dm/@lloydlemons/116511438292474227

#ebikes should not be operated on pedestrian walkways. Ever.

In general, #Bikes should have their own protected lanes. On my campus, sidewalks along actual streets have divided sidewalks where the street side is for bikes and scooters. There's a strip between that is visually different and also has a texture for #whitecane users like me.

Some street improvements in the community have a similar setup. The only downside is that #transit riders must cross the bike lane to get to and from the sidewalk. As a #blind rider, I'm always nervous when getting off the bus where there's only a sign and no shelter, though I've not encountered a bike yet. Where there's a shelter, bikes can pass behind it.

On my way to school this afternoon, there were some kinda #cops in #uniform. One was blocking my normal seat, which was folded up. It was raining, y'all, and I had my #whiteCane in its holster. i don't go up steps to sit because, in addition to being #blind, I have an arthritic knee.

Anyway, #transit has #signs all over everywhere reminding us that if we see something, we should *say* something.

So, I texted the transit cops that there were uniformed people who were #blocking the folded up seats for #disabled and I was afraid to ask them to move and put it down. I told them which train number. They thanked me.

I was able to sneak a pic because always hold my phone close read it.

Fat cop in the pic moved around a lot, so I saw his arm patch. I don't speak patch, but there wer three stripes above and three below the middle symbol, and I remembered #RobinWilliams in "Good Morning Vietnam" saying that three up, three down meant the end of the inning.

Skinny cop showed me his back, and it said "Sheriff" in all caps, but not till I was leaving.

Today, while on my daily 4-mile lunch walk, I took my new white mobility cane for the first time. It functionally made my walk easier because I didn't need to scan the ground in front of my feet the whole time, so I actually got to look around a bit and made eye contact with a few people, which was really cool. Also, it clearly signaled that I am blind to most people, which was, I think, a very positive change. Being blind seems to me to be clearly a part of what people perceive about me when I'm walking with my new white cane.

#blind #mobility #a11y #accessibility #whitecane #mobilitycane #lowvision

I'm in the market for a white mobility cane for my blindness. I just ran across Ambutech and hear graphite is lighter and nicer than aluminum.

https://ambutech.com/collections/graphite-mobility-folding-canes/products/premium-graphite-mobility-cane-standard-handle

#blind #mobility #whitecane

I wrote this some time ago and just found it again while reviewing my tags on Dreamwidth. Some of you may find it interesting. Keep in mind that this is just my personal opinion and experience. I do not represent all blind people.

Why I Don't Want a Guide Dog

https://dandylover1.dreamwidth.org/210284.html

#blindness #essay #dog #GuideDog #mobility #robot #technology #walking #WhiteCane

Stressiä ilmassa ja ulko-oven suljettuani tajusin et nyt puuttuu jotain olennaista. Valkoinen keppi jäi kotiin. 🦯

#nakovamma #WhiteCane #valkoinenkeppi