Category: Accessible events

Let’s Go Shopping! An online event for small businesses

Published March 27, 2020 by L. Legendary

Greetings from the Las Vegas lockdown. Whether you are free to move about, or are staying home to stay healthy, there’s no doubt that life as we know it, at least for now, has changed. For some, it’s definitely inconvenient. For others, it’s stressful. For still others, it’s devastating. We are sailing in uncharted waters for now, with no land in sight. We don’t quite know where we are, and we have no idea what’s going to happen. It’s probably going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

With the passage of the two trillion dollar government rescue package comes a bit of a welcome port in the storm for some workers, but certainly not for all. Additionally, there may be a group of people who fall through the cracks, and who may not receive any rescue at all. Some of these people are contract workers, service providers, and home-based business owners.

I have not read the entirety of the rescue package, so I cannot claim to know all the particulars. There are provisions for small business owners who keep their employees on the payroll in the form of payroll relief, SBA loans, and checks for many working families. What I do not know is whether or not people who have a business that employs people only part-time, or on a contract basis, or those who are sole proprietors, micro businesses, niche or boutique businesses will see any relief. Further, not everyone is going to be willing to take out a business loan. The last time the government provided rescue or bailout money, they did not include people with disabilities, or those on any sort of government assistance, including recipients of SSI, assistance for needy families, Social Security or SSDI recipients. I have no idea as of this writing whether or not any of these groups will see financial relief. Consequently, I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands and give entrepreneurs with disabilities a boost. So, let’s go shopping!

What is it?

Let’s Go Shopping is an all-day, online shopping event that is intended to benefit two groups: Small business owners and the customers who need them. Each business owner can choose a timeslot, and a presentation length of 15, 30, or 60 minutes. During that time, you can:

Do a little show and tell – Give demos of your products.

Do a little Q and A – Answer your customers questions.

Have some chat time – Just hang out and talk shop.

Make a show of it – Give a multi-media presentation.

The bottom line: It’s your time to shine. Put a face and voice to your business, and introduce yourself and your fabulous products. Do whatever you want with the time allotted, but give customers a reason to buy.

When is it?

Saturday, April 4th. As I do not have a complete schedule yet, I do not have a start and end time to share, but I can assure you, it will likely last almost all day. If the event is a success, I’ll do it again. Also, the entire day will be recorded, so that vendors and customers alike can edit, share, or revisit any vendor presentations they missed.

Who can participate?

If you have a micro business, sole proprietorship, niche or boutique business, or if you are a crafter, candy maker, home fragrance or beauty products representative, or if you are an entrepreneur with a disability, consider being a part of this exciting event.

Need a little retail therapy?

On the flip side, millions of potential customers are stuck at home, with little or no ability to buy gifts for Easter, Passover, Mother’s Day, birthdays, graduations, or just to gift a friend a lift. Not only is the “Let’s Go Shopping” event a way for home-based business owners to showcase their products, it’s a great way to make life a little easier for seniors and people with disabilities to get some shopping done. Without access to a home care worker, personal assistant, or assistive technology, online shopping can be out of reach for some. Besides, we could all use a little retail therapy, right? Maybe a senior is isolated without their children, caregiver, or personal assistant to go shopping for them. Maybe your spouse is now teleworking, and has commandeered the PC and bandwidth. Maybe someone at home is feeling alone and overwhelmed, and the idea of shopping online is cognitively burdensome right now. If they can’t go to the mall to shop, let’s bring the mall to them!

Want to participate? Here are the rules of the road:

The idea here is to make shopping as accessible and as frictionless as possible for all, so vendors will be asked to make a few accommodations. First, you must be willing to accept orders by phone, email, or means other than just your web site. You must agree to provide your business phone number or email address during your presentation. When customers call, be sensitive to their situation, be reassuring and comforting, friendly and attentive. Hopefully, the entire experience will be almost effortless for all concerned. Please provide excellent customer service!

Vendors will also be asked to assist in publicizing the event. At the very least, please tweet/post/update/blog about your timeslot. We want to help you meet the needs of potential customers, but they have to know about your availability, so please do your part to spread the word. Use the hashtag #LetsGoShopping when tweeting about the event.

Let’s Go Shopping, how? Exactly?

We will all use the Zoom conferencing platform. If you are unfamiliar with Zoom, it is an accessible video conferencing platform that can be accessed by phone, smartphone, app, or desktop. It’s free to download the app, and there is a free version you can use for your own purposes. However, I will send you all the specifics, as well as publish them here, so you will know how to call or log in. If you already know how to use Zoom, you’re golden. Just wait for an email from me.

Who is “me”?

My name is Laura, I am the owner of Elegant Insights Braille Creations. I will feature my braille jewelry and accessories products as a fill-in or backup for anyone who accepts a spot but is unable to make it. If you would like to participate, please go to Elegant Insights and use the contact form to get in touch. Or, you can call the number on the homepage, which I will also add, below.

So far, there are over a dozen small businesses from three countries eager to present their products, including technology companies, artisans, home and beauty product representatives, apparel and accessories, and of course, braille jewelry!

A complete list of vendors and their timeslots will be published next week, so check back for more details. The response has been incredible so far, and we even have door prizes donated by some of the vendors! This promises to be a fun and exciting event, so…let’s go shopping!

Elegant Insights Braille Creations
PH:702.605.1265

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Zappos Adaptive and Runway of Dreams present a livestream inclusive fashion show

Published March 26, 2019 by L. Legendary

Every season, the fashion industry rolls out what is hoped to be the next big wave of style trends, whether in apparel, accessories, hair or makeup looks. While prestige brands seek an upscale clientele, most fashion innovations are reinterpreted for the mainstream. Unfortunately, what constitutes “the mainstream” in fashion typically leaves out people with disabilities. Finally, the fashion tide is turning in our direction.

You probably already know of the online retail fashion destination, Zappos.com, but you may not be aware that the company also has a team devoted to making apparel and accessories inclusive of everyone. Zappos Adaptive features products that make a critical part of everyday life easier – getting dressed. Throw away the old ideas about adaptive clothing, though. No longer are people with disabilities forced to settle for garments that are as fashion-forward as sweats or hospital scrubs. Now, you can find stylish clothing by brands you know. To prove it, Zappos Adaptive and Runway of Dreams have collaborated on a ground-breaking fashion show just for people with disabilities, and you’re invited.

Be part of the growing movement that brings together fashion leaders, innovators and the disability community to experience the evolution of adaptive apparel and inclusive design with Zappos Adaptive and Runway of Dreams Foundation! Together, they will host the first, live-streamed fashion show in Las Vegas featuring 30 models and influencers with disabilities to showcase sporty, casual and evening wear looks that are functional, fashionable, and make getting dressed easier. It’s a celebration! Cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres will be served.

Donations and proceeds from the event will benefit the Runway of Dreams College Club Program, which is bringing positive visibility to disability by showcasing students with disabilities modeling Zappos Adaptive products and advancing the inclusive fashion movement on campuses across the country.

The event will be hosted by actor and model RJ Mitte, best known for his role on “Breaking Bad.”

WHERE: Symphony Park at the Smith Center Las Vegas
361 Symphony Park Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89106

WHEN: Wednesday, March 27, 2019 | 5:00PM – 7:30PM
Doors Open | 5:00PM
Cocktails & Hors D’oeuvres| 5:00PM
Program & Runway Show | 6:00PM

HOW: Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.
· General Admission ($100) includes reserved seating, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres.
· VIP Tickets ($250) include VIP seating, a private bar, hors d’oeuvres, and a swag bag.

About Runway of Dreams Foundation:
Runway of Dreams™ Foundation works toward a future of inclusion, acceptance and opportunity in the fashion industry for people with disabilities. We live our mission by developing, delivering and supporting charitable programs that break down stereotypes and empower people of all abilities with confidence, independence and style through a movement of inclusion in the fashion industry.

About Zappos Adaptive:
The Zappos Adaptive mission is to provide functional and fashionable products to make life easier. We are an online shopping experience offering clothing and shoes from innovative brands with unique features that address a variety of needs.

Here’s the link to the event livestream.

I’ll be covering the event for The Fashionability Channel, so be sure to watch for pre and post event coverage.

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New book club for blind women entrepreneurs…yeah, both of you

Published January 19, 2019 by L. Legendary

Sorry…Couldn’t help myself with the title of the post. I’m not sure how many blind women entrepreneurs there are out there, but for a few of you I’m thinking of, this book club might be for you.

After tweeting out a link to a list of business books that discuss contemporary business thought and strategies, I was contacted by Erin Edgar (@erinedgar), who suggested we start a book club. Erin thought it would be fun to invite other women who are blind, and who are either entrepreneurs or who are interested in launching a start-up. This seemed like a great idea to me, since all six of the books in the list I tweeted out went right onto my wish list queue. How fun to have others with whom to share ideas and entrepreneurship trials and tribulations.

If this sounds fun to you, please join us! In addition to the list I shared, I have read a ton of business books over the years, and it would be interesting to compare notes as to what others have read as well. I mean, if you haven’t read “Purple Cow,” or “Who Moved My Cheese,” then you just don’t know how to party. If you are interested in joining us, please contact me @Accessible_Info or Erin @erinedgar on Twitter.

Laura – LL

PS: Please share this!

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Press release: The Blinded Veterans Association Convention in Reno, NV begins August 13, 2018

Published August 11, 2018 by L. Legendary

It is my honor and privilege to have been invited to exhibit my braille jewelry at the upcoming BVA convention in Reno, Nevada, next week. I’m really excited to meet these esteemed attendees, and to share my products with them. It is a new audience for me, so I’m a little nervous, but I’m looking forward to an interesting trip. I’ll even be making a short presentation at one of the sessions, just to introduce myself and to raise awareness about my products, as well as the podcast I co-founded with Emily Davison, the Fashionability Channel.

Below is an edited version of the official press release, with some additional info at the bottom.

For Immediate Release

BVA’s Annual Convention Set For Reno/Sparks August 13-17

(Alexandria, Va.) – The Blinded Veteran’s Association’s 73rd Annual Convention will be hosted at the Nugget Casino Resort August 13-17, 2018 in Reno/Sparks, Nevada. The annual event is BVA’s premier event geared toward the education and development of its members. The gathering brings together the top leadership of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) along with academics, industry leaders and government officials to discuss issues and challenges facing the disabled and the medical community today and in the future.

There will also be an exposition of assistive products and services open Tuesday and Wednesday, August 14-15. Laura Legendary of Las Vegas, Nevada, owner of Elegant Insights Braille Creations, will exhibit her handcrafted collection of jewelry embossed in braille. Legendary,, who is blind, is a long-time advocate for people with disabilities. “Jewelry is generally thought of as strictly visual. I wanted to combine visual and tactile elements to create beautiful jewelry that is inclusive of everyone.” Legendary says. “As a consumer who is blind, I find very few gifts suitable for a friend or loved one with vision loss that isn’t a tech gadget or daily living aid. I wanted to bring to market jewelry and accessories that are stylish and fun as well as meaningful.”

Please visit the event website for more information about the convention and exposition. Visit Elegant Insights Braille Creations at elegantinsightsjewelry.com/shop/ or call 702-605-1265.

The Blinded Veterans Association is the only official voice for America’s veterans who are blind or visually impaired, The organization has successfully advocated for their needs since WWII. For more information about BVA and its services, call toll-free 800-669-7079 or visit bva.org.

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Additional info:
(1) On-site coverage of the convention is encouraged.
(2) Below is a more detailed convention agenda.

A training session on the ABC’s of Regional Group planning will be held on Monday, Aug. 13 from 9 a.m.– 10:15. For technology sessions, there will be skills training on the Victor Reader and Home Automation on Monday. At 10:30 a.m., life member Howard Myers will deliver a presentation about his book, “Blind Vision.”
Also on Monday, BVA members who wish to become a Volunteer Service Officer can obtain training by instructor Wade Davis. Part 1 will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. Part 2 will be Tuesday, Aug. 14, from 9 a,m,to11:45 a.m.

On Tuesday, Aug. 14, the Blindfold Games will hold an information session where members will be able to obtain a free game.

For female veterans, an exclusive pampering session will be facilitated by a lifestyle coach for the blind. Attendees can enjoy beauty tips and freshen up before the Tuesday evening reception and dinner.

I’ll be in booth number 404 with Elegant Insights Braille Creations on the Nugget Casino second floor exhibit hall. See you there!

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Art Beyond Sight: Official press release for the Tactile and Sensory art show

Published March 16, 2018 by L. Legendary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 16, 2018
Contact: Cheryl Gleason (916) 273-5712
cheryl@cordovacouncil.org

Art beyond sight? Exhibit offers Insights
What if you were an artist, but could not see? What if you were blind, but yearned to experience art?
Those are questions explored by “Insights: Art Beyond the Eyes,” opening at The MACC (Mills Station Arts and Culture Center) Wednesday, March 21 for a four-day exhibit, open to the public. Admission is free of charge.
Insights is being presented in cooperation with the California Council of the Blind, which is meeting in Rancho Cordova March 22-25 for its state convention.
The exhibit includes the works of nine artists who are low vision or blind, and the works of three sighted artists, created with low or no vision art lovers in mind.
Featured will be artists Alice Wingwall (photographer, sculptor, film), Angela Palmer (ceramicist, Mosaics), Noel Runyan (mixed media using computer parts and lapidary), Jennifer Justice (woodwork), Laura Legendary (braille jewelry), George Wurtzel (woodwork), Sheela Gunn-Cushman (Jewelry), Deborah Kent-Stein (sculptor) and Robin Patche (mixed media), who have excelled in art even though they do not have the advantage of excellent eyesight.
Artists Garey Porter, Michele Burr and Lyla Paakkanen will be exhibiting works created for enjoyment by the blind – tactile pieces which run contrary to the old art exhibit dictum of “Don’t Touch the Art.” In this case, it’s mandatory.
For example, Porter, a Viet Nam Vet, creates wood bas reliefs of images which impacted him while visiting churches and Abbey’s in England. Burr’s focus on the female figure using glass casting, bronze and metal is both seductive and playful. Paakkanen’s 10’x4’ panel of a dragon uses impasto acrylic paint and raised scales to make a traditionally two-dimensional work into three dimensions.
The works include carved wood pieces, jewelry, prints, paintings, sculpture and more.
An artists’ reception will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, and gives the public a chance to chat with the artists about their work. There is no admission charge for the reception.
The reception will be accompanied by “Beethoven and Friends Chamber Ensemble,” a chamber orchestra affiliated with the Rancho Cordova Civic Light Orchestra.
The exhibit will also be open from 3-6 p.m. Friday, March 23, and from noon-6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, March 24-25.

“Insights is a thought-provoking exhibit which challenges the definition of an art exhibit,” said Cheryl Gleason, MACC Coordinator and curator for the show. “Art is for everyone and should be by everyone. Insights asks us to think about art in a new way.”
This is the second exhibit this month at The MACC, which occupies the ground floor of the century-old historic Mills Station Building, located at the Mather/Mills Station Light Rail Station at 10190 Mills Station Road. For more information visit www.rcmacc.org.
Produced by the Cordova Community Council and supported by the City of Rancho Cordova Community Enhancement Fund, Insights is appropriate for art lovers of all ages. Descriptions and other information at the exhibit will be posted in both print and braille, giving all visitors an opportunity to experience art and more from a new point of view – including relying on the sense of touch rather than sight.
In addition to the Insights exhibit, those wishing to support the California Society of the Blind through a dinner experience can purchase tickets to “Dining in the Dark,” a fundraising gala featuring dinner prepared by Christine Ha, a blind chef and winner of the third season of television’s “Master Chef” competition show. The event will be held at the Sacramento Marriott Rancho Cordova on Thursday, March 23.
Guests will be invited to enjoy their meals wearing eye shades in low light conditions and will utilize their other senses to maximize a unique culinary experience. The event also includes an auction and dance, hosted by Dan and Michelle, from MIX 96.1 radio station. Tickets are $75 and available at cccbnet.org.

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For immediate release: California Council of the Blind state convention details

Published March 5, 2018 by L. Legendary

For Immediate Release

The California Council of the Blind will be holding its annual statewide convention at the Sacramento Marriott in Rancho Cordova located at 11211 Point East Way, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742 from Thursday, March 22-Sunday March 25, 2018. One of the many exciting events that we are bringing to the community is the “Dining in the Dark”.

Dining in the Dark will bring together community leaders, industry professionals and caring citizens for an evening of fine dining to raise awareness and resources for the California Council of the Blind. Guests will be invited to enjoy their meals wearing eye shades in low light conditions and utilize their other senses to maximize this unique culinary experience. The event will feature Christine Ha, Blind Chef, and winner of Master Chef season 3. There will also be an exclusive auction provided by Pacific Auction Company, local celebrity emcees Dan and Michelle from KYMX-FM Mix 96.1, and dance music provided by blind DJ’s from J & J FM.
For your convenience, tickets ($75 each) can be purchased directly through our website at www.ccbnet.org. There is limited seating available and there will not be any tickets at the door. Please buy tickets today before they sell out!
Christine Ha’s Master Chef Montage – www.dropbox.com/sh/m713dhcpa037623/AAB0OLjbysOygkbyMp2eqvl0a?dl=0

Where: Sacramento Marriott in Rancho Cordova located at 11211 Point East Way, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742 from
When: Thursday, March 22, 2018 5:45-10PM
Who: CA Council of the Blind featuring Christine Ha, Blind Chef and winner of MasterChef Season 3
Tickets: $75 per person. www.ccbnet.org
Inquiries: Paul Shane, CEO 916-441-2100 or by cell at 916-710-6308
Sponsors: City of Rancho Cordova; SMUD; Mints Euro-Asian Cuisine; KP International Market & American Array Solar

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As a reminder, I will be in attendance, both at the Dinner in the Dark event as well as in the exhibit hall, to showcase my Elegant Insights Braille Creations (@ElegantInsights) jewelry and accessories. See you there!

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Eyes-free art: Your ticket to the Tactile and Sensory Art Exhibit

Published March 1, 2018 by L. Legendary

March is a busy month for many of us in the accessibility and assistive tech community. Two of the largest and most relevant international conferences and exhibitions take place this month, the CSUN Conference on Disability and the South By Southwest event. there are other, smaller conventions this month as well, one to which I’d like to draw your attention now.

The California Council of the Blind is hosting their annual state convention in Sacramento, California, with events from March 22nd to the 25th, 2018. It will be held at the Marriott Rancho Cordova. As mentioned in the previous post, which you can read here, the California Council (CCB) is hosting a Dining in the Dark event, along with the regular convention activities. However, there is another event happening concurrently that will deliver a fascinating new world into the hands of people who are blind, as well as to those in the art community.

It’s called the Tactile and Sensory Art Show, Art beyond the eyes: An exhibit of works for and by blind and low vision artists, in conjunction with the California Council of the Blind Cordova Community Council.

Artist reception:

5-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 21 Featuring music by Beethoven and Friends Chamber Ensemble.

the exhibit:

3-6 p.m. Friday, March 23.
Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, March 24, and Sunday, March 25.

Where:

MACC mills station arts & culture center
10191 Mills Station Road Inside the Historic Mills Station Building.

Admission:

Free.

The MACC is supported by the Rancho Cordova Community Enhancement Fund a fresh take rcmacc.org.

The art show is an excellent opportunity for anyone to examine art works created by people with disabilities. I have been invited to exhibit my own Elegant Insights Braille Creations at the show, so spread the word and bring your family and friends. The Tactile and Sensory Art Show is not limited to members of CCB or the blind community, it’s open to everyone. Please stop by and say hello!

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Not heading South for the CSUN conference? Head north instead.

Published February 12, 2018 by L. Legendary

Wait…what? There’s another event happening in March besides the CSUN Conference on Disability? Well, yes, and I’m not just referring to my birthday. Which,, by the way, is on the 22nd, so you had better get started on those gifts. Ahem.

there are actually a few events upcoming that might interest you, and all of them are happening in California. The California Council of the Blind is holding their state convention in Sacramento this year, and there are a couple of must-attend events associated with the conference you’ll want to know about. I’ll post more info over the next few weeks, but here are the details about one of them:

When: Thursday, March 22nd, 2018
Event: Dining in the Dark will bring together community leaders, industry professionals and caring citizens for an evening of fine dining to raise awareness and resources for the California Council of the Blind. Guests will be invited to enjoy their meals wearing eye shades in low light conditions and utilize their other senses to maximize this unique culinary experience. The event will feature Christine Ha, Blind Chef, and winner of Master Chef season three. There will also be an exclusive auction, local Celebrity Emcees, and dance music provided by blind DJ’s from J & J FM.

Tickets are available for $75 each and will sell out fast! Please go to www.ccbnet.org or call 916-441-2100 to purchase your tickets today.

In addition to the Dining in the Dark event, there will also be a Tactile and Sensory Art show, as well as the CCB conference sessions and exhibit hall, which you will find at the Marriott Rancho Cordova in Sacramento, California. Check back here for updates, as I’ll provide a schedule of events as well as press releases and links to more information.

You will find me at the Dinner in the Dark, as I am a table sponsor, and I’ll also be showing my Elegant Insights Braille Creations jewelry and accessories in the exhibit hall as well as in the art gallery for the art show. There’s plenty to experience in Sacramento this year, so after you’ve had your fill of the CSUN conference, just head straight North to the California Council of the Blind State convention over the weekend. See you there!

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Blogging Against Disablism 2017: Sight, Light, and Language

Published May 1, 2017 by L. Legendary

There have been many articles written on the subject of the “language of awareness,” one or two of such articles may even have been written by yours truly. there has also been some controversy in the disability community about the appropriate or accurate use of that language, as some have insisted that “people first” language is the only way to respectfully, effectively, interact with an individual who has a disability, because it places the emphasis on the human being, rather than the disability. In other words, the person being referred to is not defined by their disability, they are a person, first. There have been others, though, who have vehemently disagreed with this notion, feeling that they are, in fact, defined by their disability, and further, are proud of it.

Over the years, I’ve read so many thoughtful articles written about disability awareness and etiquette, advising any number of “do’s and don’ts” on everything from best practices for communicating with the neuro atypical to humorous missives on the importance of speaking directly to a guide dog user, rather than to the guide dog. These articles, for the most part, have done a great job tearing down stereotypes and facilitating interactions between disabled and non-disabled persons. Much of that which appears here on the Accessible Insights Blog has emphasized blindness, since I am blind as the result of a congenital, degenerative disease of the retina, called Retinitis Pigmentosa.

One of the topics I’ve always wanted to write about is the intriguing connection in the English language between eyesight and understanding. Some of my own work has explored the concepts of the soft bigotry of low expectations, the treatment of people who are blind as intellectually inferior, when, for example, a blind individual is spoken to loudly or slowly, or where there is a presumption of incompetence. Of course, it is not factually accurate to say that a person who cannot see also cannot understand, yet this myth is perpetuated, thanks in part, it seems, to the idiosyncratic nature of English. It also occurred to me that there are words related to “light,” that are associated with knowledge, cognition, and discernment.

The first such instance is the direct link between two simple words that explicitly convey comprehension: “I see.” Another example is “I saw the light.” When we ask for an explanation, we might say, “enlighten me.” When we express appreciation for gaining that knowledge, we might say, “that was quite illuminating.” When we want to impart knowledge, we might say, “let me shed some light on that subject.” If we want to expose a falsehood, we offer to “shine the bright light of truth” on something. Finally, even the rising sun can take credit for the sudden remembrance, acknowledgement, or grasp of an idea…as when we say, “it dawned on me.” Word nerd that I am, I consulted my favorite reference books pertaining to the use of language, and I discovered some interesting linguistic connections between having eyesight, and possessing understanding.

Here are more specific examples, where the word being defined can be explained by phrases analogous to eyesight:

The word perceive, as a verb, means to become aware of, or to comprehend via our senses. Often it is inferred that the perception is by sight or to have the power to perceive by sight. In another example, perceive is used with an inference to an idea, such as, “Oh, now I see.” Or, “I don’t see your point.”

To be contemporaneous with, as in, “you’ll soon see the value here.”

To imagine, or conceive of, as in, “I can see it in my mind’s eye,” or, “I don’t see him doing such a thing.”

To think about something in a particular way, to regard or consider, as in, “sorry, I just don’t see things as you do.” Or, “I don’t see the situation as being all that bad.” Or, “we just don’t see eye-to-eye.”

To make a determination, to find out something, for example, “I want to see if this works.” Or, “I think we should see if she knows how to change a tire.”

To make certain of something, such as, “see to it the door is closed,” or “see that the lights are off when you go.”

To consult with a professional, “I need to see a dentist.”

To take charge, such as, “I saw to it that the project was completed on time.”

To understand detail, as in, “he has a good eye.”

To deliberate or decide, for example, “See whether you can come tomorrow”;

To experience, as in, “he saw action in Iraq.”

To make sense of, or interpret, as in, “what’s the messaging you’re seeing here?”

Here are even more examples:

When you’re really mad, you’re “seeing red.” when you are accompanying someone to the airport, you are “seeing him off.” And, when you are sure someone is being untruthful, you might say, “I saw right through her.” Some of these examples are simply colloquial, but in the context of blindness, greater accuracy in communication can get a bit tricky, not to mention awkward.

Based on these examples, it isn’t hard to see (yikes!) how it may be possible that so much of the passive prejudice or soft bigotry we face may be unintentional, in part due to an inherent language bias that can make disablism that much easier, simply because of the words we use every day.

So, now that you’ve read to the end of my submission for BADD 2017 on the many ways in which the concept of understanding can be transmogrified by language, you can now say you’ve seen the light!

Previous Blogging Against Disablism Day submissions:
2010:

You Don’t Look Blind

2011:

It’s On Aisle 5

2012:

Your Ingenious Life

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Blogging Against Disablism Day 2017

Published April 30, 2017 by L. Legendary

If you love to write, or read, about the experience of disability, then you will love this day. For over ten years, this global event has attracted activists, advocates, parents, and people from all walks of life, disabled or non-disabled, who blog about life from their point of view. You will read about overcoming adversity, triumph over tragedy, practical coping strategies, and learn more effective ways to interact with people who have disabilities of all sorts. It can be a little emotional, reading about the day-to-day experiences of individuals who live in places that do not have the equivalent of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or, who do, yet suffer discrimination,, disrespect, or indignity anyway. Some of what you read may be discouraging,, depressing, or even infuriating. But you will also read stories that are heartwarming, uplifting, and even funny,, as bloggers around the world share their lives. You can read all about Blogging Against Disablism Day here, along with archives of past year’s posts:

Blogging Against Disablism Day

Use hash tag #BADD2017 when tweeting about the event. Don’t forget to go to the site to link to your own post, if you plan to participate.

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