NOAH AOC

Oh yeah, I can relate!  I don't yet use an indicator cane to travel in unfamiliar places, but am seriously condsidering one soon.  I have known since I had orientation and mobility in high school--over thirty years ago, that I was eligible for one, but really haven't needed one.  Until now!

Last month, I took a Tip via Amtrak from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Orlando, Florida with my thirteen year old daughter.  We went to visit my 19 uear old daughter.  This trip involved two transfers each way, not a problem, I was really up0 for it, and visually I had no navigation problems at all.  I use a monocular all of the time, it is almost a part of my left hand! 

Amtrak is very accomodating to persons with disabilities.  They offr a discount, and whatever help you request mis usually put right on your ticket--accessible space for wheelchairs, help finding your gate, whatever.  I just had mine stamped disabled, as I didn't think I would need any help other than to ask which direction to go, which lots of normally sighted people do.  It did allow me to wait in the senior/disabled area up front if I wanted to, and I did, oncec.  That is when I had the issue--and it wan't from an Amtrak employee.

Chicago is probably the busiest train station there is--everything goes through there!  It isn't hard to get around, just very crowded.  On the way home, we went to wait at our gate very early, as we had nothing better to do.  As there is always such a crowd and much jostling, I decided to take advantage of the special waiting area, which I was entitled to do.  It is basically up front, in fornt of everyone else.  Now, while there were many people there legitimately, I will wager that more than half were not, they just wanted to get on first.  I don't say anything, because you do never know what a person's disability is, after all many are 'hidden disabilities', even ours isn't always apparent.  Well, as the time for the train came, it got very crowded, we were very near the front, and some lady with another woman and two kids pushed her way to the front and very loudly proclaimed that this was the waiting area for persons with disabilities and senior citizens. I just turned to her and said, "Excuse me, I AM disabled would you like to see my ticket and the proof! I had them in my hand at the time.  Amtrak requires you provide proof of your disability, either in the form of an ID from a disability organization, a transit disability discount card (Like the CNIB one), or a letter from your DR.  You need to carry it with you, present it when purchasing tickets with the disability discount, and be prepared to show it on the train when tickets are collected.  (My letter is hilarious--the top says "Certificate of Legal Blindness and proceeds to not only tell that I am but quote the section of the law!).  I have absolutely no problem with this policy, in fact I am wholeheartedly in favor of it.  The lady just looked at me, and then tried to cover for herself saying she just needed to get her disabled aunt and her kids on the train, blah, blah, blah.  OK, fine, I believe her, but it is reather rude to assume someone is or isn't disabled.  I do not mind proving it to the peole who need it, the employees, etc.  Like showing an ID card on the bus for reduced fares.  That is perfectly legit--but I HATE when other passengers who don't really know me ask why I get to use half fare tickets on the public transit here.  nIt is none of their business.

I think the situation at the train station could hav been avoided if there was an Amtrak employee stationed to check who went into the special waiting area, but of course that is wishful thinking, and not really econmically feasible.  With multiple gates with multiple waiting areas and trains only leaving at certain times it doesn't really make sense.  People just need to be honest.  I don't even always take advantage of waitng there, it depends on the crowd usually.  I sometimes get nervous about getting jostled off track and going the wrong way when there are so many people pushing and shoving to be first!  Let's just put it this way, there wer multiple signs stating that the waiting area was for the disabled and seniors.  And I could read them from a short distance away, even without my monocular--and I am 20/200 in my bettter eye, corrected!  A cane might have helped in my case, but then again, this woman was alittle rude.  Go figure.

As for the idiots who think we are deaf as well as blind.  I usually do make a smart remark in those rare instances that that happens.  Not rude, necessarily, but something so they know that I am aware of their poor manners.

Unfortunately, these situations will always happen.  Hopefully, less and less, but it isn't just a them being rude to persons with disabilities.  I find peole like that are just rude and unthinking in general.  Hang in there--and next time, say something, politely but to the point! Maybe it will help one person to think before they speak the next time.

Joni

Julie,

Yes, I have because of course in my case unless they ask they don't even realize that I'm visually impaired. They just think that I'm another normal person who just happens to wear glasses. Luckily I don't get it all that much.  See I also have a unique situation too my vision seems to be okay because I end up doing sighted guide with my fiancee and other blind people that I know. I've done that with two or three people at the same time. But, every once in while I do still get a few people who don't realize that I'm legally blind. Like it or not we are stuck like our blind counterparts having to educate the general public because they just don't realize that Albinism in some cases but not all causes severe visual impairment.   

Well no one would know I was legally blind by just looking at me but my appearance is different becuase of the light hair and skin.  I was waiting in line at a restuaraunt with my brother who has albinism as well.  This guy in line behind us asked if we were brother and sister.  Even though that was very clear my brother politely said yes, paid and left to find a table.  With my brother gone this man began asking me questions that made me stand there dumb founded.  "Did anyone call you cornsilk?"  "Did anyone call you ghost?"  "Did anyone call you etc....."  I was teased horribly in highschool but am now 25 so this isn't new to me.  I was shocked and ticked off that an adult to another adult could be so ignorant and rude.  I just walked away without saying anything beucase I was dumb founded and didn't want to give him any pleasure in his inmaturity.  I should have said, "Why would you even ask me that?" 

 living in one of the most racist and close minded countries, Italy, that happens a lot to me!

since finding myself in a relationship with a wonderful Irish man, since the beginning of the year i've already flown twice there, with it being 3 times at the end of the month.

now...i have learned to know inch by inch the tiny little airport i take off from, but Dublin airport is just really really big, especially the departures terminal and I often find myself walking 15 minutes at fast pace to get to the right gate.

so I'm having to book a walker to help me navigate around Dublin airport as signs aren't big/clear enough....well, not for me anyway.

I am often taking off with wall to wall sunshine so I'm forced to wear really dark shades. As I dy my hair a little you wouldn't assume I'm an albino girl-not that people would know what albinism is-. So people queing up at the gate just see a blonde girl with big dark shades boarding before everyone else and getting to sit in the front row.

I always find myself having to listen to "excuse me, I was first in the queue why have you skipped everyone else if you only got here five minutes ago?", to which I reply "because I am visually impaired " and they carry on with things like "er....yeah, right and why do you need to board before everyone else?" and I say "because while I walk to the plane and up the steps if I trip or stumble I might fall over ignorant people like you that open their mouths without knowing things".

or when I'm being walked to the right gate I hear people commenting "oh look at her with her big dark shades acting the diva by requesting someone to walk her to the gate". I have sometimes found myself stepping on said people's toes or tripping over their bags on purpose and then go "oh i'm sorry i am visually impaired I didn't see you/your bag was there!"

This happens with at least 3 or 4 people on EVERY flight, and it's ALWAYS stupid ignorant italians. you never ever hear a word or complaint from other nationalities.

Sorry, not knowing your visual acurity i cannot comment but if yours is like mine 20/200 I do not believe you should be let on the plane before anyone else. Helped yes but let on beforehand no.

I believe strongly in being treated equally let it be in posotive or negative ways. 

I've just returned last week from Europe where I received an escort at departure, my layover in Vienna (unfamiliar airport to me) and at arrival in Toronto. I was escorted onto the plane both times and deplaned last. It was the first time I requested such a service as I've flown many times before and I have to admit that being treated equally wasn't nowhere as important to me this time as was having peace of mind that I was at the right gate.

Maybe you young people are still in need of feeling independent, but when you get older that just isn't as important, at least to me anyway. I figure, if the service is offered heck, I'll take it. It didn't cost me any extra and no one asked any questions.

I find that the beauty of albinisim and low vision is that we have a choice as to which way we want to be treated.... so this time I opted for special treatment.....I got to say I had no complaints.

Cheers