[blindza] Re: Bit of a rant - about 'true' blindness
- From: Bill English <english.family@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: blindza@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 07:31:19 -0800 (PST)
Hi Jacob,
Unfortunately, there is popular misconception about the abilities of the blind.
I myself have a new perspective. I am sighted, but in the last year by these
mailing lists have discovered things about the blind that simply astounded me.
I regularly correspond with engineers, developers, programmers, other blind
people in good paying positions in corporations, and my new take is a bit
different than before.
What you CAN do is what needs to be known. The public generally does not
realize that you are not "disabled" from merely being blind. It's a hindrance
certainly, but you have "ways" to get around the obstacles. Many also do not
know about the technological advances, that give you an edge over even sighted
persons, in many respects.
You desire work for hire. Public misconceptions are hindering you from jobs
you
can do well, and I think this is the issue that needs attention. How might you
market your abilities, with clear description of your one lack, and convince an
employer you'd be an asset to his business? Most of you are very dedicated,
and
when you find an area you can excel in and be of value to others, you simply
shine. You inspire me, I can tell you that.
All My Best,
Bill English
MSFB Org
________________________________
From: Jacob Kruger <jacobk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: blindza@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tue, February 1, 2011 7:26:25 AM
Subject: [blindza] Re: Bit of a rant - about 'true' blindness
Main thing with my field is that I would specifically want an active job as
such, so first thing you want them to understand is how you can handle it/the
fact that some things aren't really an issue as such - if that makes sense -
but another thing that makes me want to laugh at them is they know my one
e-mail address is @blindza.co.za, and that my skype username is BlindZA -
hint!
hint!
Stay well
Jacob Kruger
Blind Biker
Skype: BlindZA
'...fate had broken his body, but not his spirit...'
----- Original Message -----
>From: Carel Ewald
>To: blindza@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2011 3:18 PM
>Subject: [blindza] Re: Bit of a rant - about 'true' blindness
>
>
>Hi,
>
>Now, I am a recruiting agent and kind of understand the legal implications
>behind this.
>
>If a recruiting agent phones you (and I must add that the persons doing
>recruitment these days are a sad bunch of people that have done the profession
>
>a great deal of harm – and yes there is still some good ones), discuss the
>job, ask him/her name, get the company he/she is recruiting for and if
>he/she invites you for an interview, ask him if he has noticed on your CV
>that you are blind. If he has not, he can unfortunately not tell you that
>he
>does not want to see you anymore because of your disability, because that
>would be discrimination. If he/she does say he does not think you would be
>qualified for the job, ask him to explain to him why he thinks that and
>most
>of the time you will find ignorance on his/her part. In my case I have
>studied engineering and worked in maintenance, definitely a job a blind
>person cannot do, so the agent is now in a predicament - based on
>discrimination charges and the fact that I can take him to the CCMA to which
>
>he/she and the company he/she is recruiting for is held separately and jointly
>
>accountable for the discrimination where they need to prove that I was unable
>
>to do the job or were not selected because another person was better qualified
>
>then me.
>
>After explaining to the person in what predicament he has let himself into,
>tell him to in future read the CV decently. Not sure if it is working but
>trying to educate them one at a time.
>
>
>
>Thanks,
>
>Carel Ewald
>
>From:Robin Barker [mailto:robinb@xxxxxxxxxx]
>Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2011 2:54 PM
>To: Blindza Free List
>Subject: [blindza] Re: Bit of a rant - about 'true' blindness
>Importance: High
>
>Hi Jacob,
>This is one of life's great mystries. This permanently happens.
>Unfortunately they just want bodies to send for interviews etc. They see
>the
>name and qualifications, and are not interested in the rest.
>
>This is what you call "selective viewing" or stupidity to put it bluntly.
>I have the same problem with my surname, Barker, everyone says Baker, which
>makes me "see" red. Every time they do it I correct them, they appologize
>and promptly do it again. That is called "selective hearing".
>My suggestion to you is: When they call to say they have a possible job,
>
>ask them if it is suitable for a "blind person". If they say no, take
>their
>details and contact the manager and "throw your toys out the cot". It
>feels
>great afterwards.
>Cheers
>Robin
>
>
________________________________
>From:blindza-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:blindza-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
>Behalf Of Jacob Kruger
>Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2011 2:34 PM
>To: BlindZA
>Subject: [blindza] Bit of a rant - about 'true' blindness
>I would like to know why some sighted people apparently make a point of
>ignoring somewhat obvious/clearly stated/relatively important facts...?
>
>In other words, where on my CV, in the top piece of details, along with my
>ID
>number, phone number, etc. which they can't ignore, they seem to repeatedly
>bypass the line that says:
>Disabled: Yes - Visually Impaired
>
>Also the very first, sort of intro paragraph states a few more details,
>etc.,
>but seems like every single time a personnel agent looks at the thing, they
>don't 'see' this at all...
>
>In other words, selective vision makes some sighties a heck of a lot
>blinder
>than us blindies.
>
>Makes me want to laugh in their faces, but also somewhat frustrating
>sometimes.
>
>Stay well
>
>Jacob Kruger
>Blind Biker
>Skype: BlindZA
>'...fate had broken his body, but not his spirit...'
>
________________________________
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