Allen,...Thank you for this input.
Loraine M. Valverde
BASE SUPPLY CENTER (BSC)
Operated by: ARIZONA INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND
P: 623 535-8003
F: 623 535-8021
E: lvalverde@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:lvalverde@xxxxxxxxx>
"Your Authorized ABILITY ONE Store"
From: bmtgraduates-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:bmtgraduates-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Allen Adamson
Sent: Friday, November 06, 2015 8:12 AM
To: bmtgraduates@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [bmtgraduates] Re: Public speaking as a person who is visually impaired
All,
First, I am not a great public speaker. This answer is based on observation not
great experience. A lot of the time we are looking for the audience to approach
us with affirmation. While a phenomenal speech will often invoke such a
response, not every speech (even a good one) will get such a response. When we
are delivering a speech that is more of a report, the audience does not get as
involved. I am not sure how well you know the people you are speaking to, but
that can have an effect on your speech as well. Knowing them well will leave
them with the tendency to listen without much response. You can often get the
same response from not knowing them at all. One thing I like to do is spend
some time with the audience prior to your speech, soften them up if you will.
This helps them be more responsive to what you are delivering and helps them
feel more comfortable about asking questions. Also, feel free to ask questions.
If no-one has any questions, in a joking fashion, addressing the audience, give
yourself a compliment about how well your speech must have been being that you
answered all the potential questions in your delivery. Of course this might not
be as applicable in an uptight professional setting. However some type of
ice-breaking technique like this usually works well at provoking some response.
As my classmates know I am a bit of a self-proclaimed comedian and I respond
this way out of habit. Like I said I am by no means a professional, but I truly
believe that connectivity is very important in making both you and your
audience feel more comfortable. The more comfortable we are, the more open we
become.
Hope this helps.
Allen Adamson | Logistics Supervisor | West Texas Lighthouse for the Blind |
Tel: 325-653-4231 |
Fax: 325-657-9367 | Email:
a.adamson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:a.adamson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
From:
bmtgraduates-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:bmtgraduates-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
[mailto:bmtgraduates-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Valverde, Loraine, M
Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2015 2:12 PM
To: bmtgraduates@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:bmtgraduates@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [bmtgraduates] Re: Public speaking as a person who is visually impaired
Hi Sylvia, Thank you for this insight. I just came back from a briefing that
I do to speak about our store and generally there are approximately 20 people.
So I feel that my challenge is mostly not being able to see the faces and
understand how they react to what I am talking about. Pretty much just quiet.
Today I started my speech with how beautiful the weather is (which has been
totally awesome lately). So I thought this might spark a little enthusiasm
but I did not hear anything as such.
Should I just assume that it was a good speech? How do I determine that I did
a good speech that will grab them?
I will take any suggestions you may come up with.
Thank you!
Loraine M. Valverde
BASE SUPPLY CENTER (BSC) Luke AFB
Operated by: ARIZONA INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND
P: 623 535-8003
F: 623 535-8021
E: lvalverde@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:lvalverde@xxxxxxxxx>
"Your Authorized ABILITY ONE Store"
From:
bmtgraduates-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:bmtgraduates-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
[mailto:bmtgraduates-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Sylvia Perez
Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2015 12:44 PM
To: bmtgraduates@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:bmtgraduates@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [bmtgraduates] Public speaking as a person who is visually impaired
Hello everyone!
I hear many B.M.T. alumni have signed up for our list. So, it is time to start
getting some discussion going.
Most of us do a lot of public speaking, and if you do not it is likely that you
will eventually have to.
What do you find the most challenging about public speaking? And, what have you
done to work on that?
I recently joined Toastmasters and have to say it has been a really wonderful
experience. I highly recommend Toastmasters.
And, from there I have learned some new tricks to overcome some of the
difficulties I have faced.
One of my major challenges is to make sure I talk to the whole audience since I
cannot see any of the audience members. Now, I have someone give me information
ahead of time by standing where I will speak from and letting me know
directionally whre the audience is. Using a 360 degree target audience, so if I
know the audience is about 120 degrees from my center I know how far to move to
address everyone.
What do you do, and what are your challenges with public speaking?
Best
Sylvia Stinson-Perez
________________________________
NOTICE: This e-mail (and any attachments) may contain PRIVILEGED OR
CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the specific
individual(s) to whom it is addressed. It may contain information that is
privileged and confidential under state and federal law. This information may
be used or disclosed only in accordance with law, and you may be subject to
penalties under law for improper use or further disclosure of the information
in this e-mail and its attachments. If you have received this e-mail in error,
please immediately notify the person named above by reply e-mail, and then
delete the original e-mail. Thank you.
