Blind Interpreter

hjones711 said:
wow, as to the doctor appointment part doctors usually say "and now im going to..." powerpoints are no problem as long as it isnt horribly far away, computers are also no problem i can modify that easily, as to the meeting you can point to the person using voice as a refrence point. im pretty good at that one.
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You're right that most doctors these days tell you what they're going to do in advance. I forgot about that part.

Your definition of far away may be different from mine. :)

How could you modify a computer? The terp doesn't usually get a screen of their own, and if you do you may not be able to install magnification software. Do you have another way you are thinking of?

And come to think of it, you probably are better at identifying location based on voice direction - I can think of many, many meetings I've interpreted where someone starts speaking on the other side of the room, and I'd never be able to just point without looking to see who was speaking, but you're used to it so you can!

Again, those are just some examples. I still think you would need to be VERY careful picking assignments, or find a non-freelance job where you can be in the same place all the time and develop systems that work for you.
hjones711 said:
ps. why be scared, you probably dont know braille or how to use a cane or understand why i use one, but im not scared?
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I think it's because many deaf people are afraid of losing their sight. You'd think that a successful blind person would be an inspiration, not something to fear, but I think it's just that humans fear people who are not like them, or who represent something they are afraid of. I wouldn't say they're scared of YOU as much as they are of your blindness.

I don't mean to discourage you, it's certainly entirely possible, in fact I think the idea of finding a steady staff position would mean you could be quite effective!
 
thank you a ton. i am definitely encouraged. my definition of close is 5 feet. and there is Microsoft magnifier. i love it. thank you very much for the input.
 
Aleser, Thank you for the correction. Since you have experience to back your statements, then absolutely, you are right.

Clannish behavior comes into play often where I live. It is a shame that this is applied toward our own. I remember seeing a few deaf-blind at a small deaf gathering and recognizing my discomfort at them being ignored, I introduced myself and talked to one of them. I will make an effort to talk to every deaf-blind I see from now on. Thank you for the education.
 
I also think you should go for it, but like Aleser said, a deafblind person is likely to appreciate your services more.
 
Aleser said:
You misread me. "Also realize that almost all deaf people I've met are uncomfortable around blindness- many to the extent of being discriminatory about that."

Yes, there are exceptions. But the 'uncomfortable around blindness' group makes an overwhelming majority. I've been to events with 500+ culturally Deaf people in which absolutely nobody would sign with me, ignoring that I was signing, and speaking at me.
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Maybe the reason I am not uncomfortable was that I had the great opportunity to work with a deafblind counselor at my job as a Grad Assistant. He was my boss and I gotta admit that at first, I was a little uncomfortable but after a short time, his blindness didnt make any difference to me. Maybe I have that open-mindness cuz of my own personal experiences with deafblind people. I would love to meet blind hearing people. I feel I would connect with them as well unless they are uncomfortable around deaf people. That would be interesting!
 
dreama said:
I also think you should go for it, but like Aleser said, a deafblind person is likely to appreciate your services more.[/QUOTE]

I have to be honest..u are more likely correct with that statement.
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I also encourage you to go for it. Given how small the deafblind population is compared to the D/deaf, there is a great need for more tactile interpreters. As a deafblind person myself, I would feel quite comfortable working with a blind terp. Good luck!
 
hjones711 said:
thank you all very much, but why is it that people would be afraid of a blind person
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An earlier poster said it was because D/deaf people are afraid of losing their sight. When you think about it, their fear is understandable given how much they rely on visual cues for communication, etc. In general, people are afraid of the unfamiliar. I have to admit that before I wore hearing aids, I was afraid of deaf people. It wasn't until I received hearing aids and became friends with a Deaf student at my high school that I began to look at deaf people differently. I really hope you won't be discouraged to interpret for the D/deaf because the more exposure your clients have with you, the more comfortable they will feel.
 
Hear Again said:
An earlier poster said it was because D/deaf people are afraid of losing their sight. When you think about it, their fear is understandable given how much they rely on visual cues for communication, etc. In general, people are afraid of the unfamiliar.
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I thought I already said this...thanks for restating it so it would be noticed this time.
 
hjones711 said:
thank you all very much, but why is it that people would be afraid of a blind person
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I think deaf people worry about communication issues since we rely on vision to communicate while you rely on auditory input for communication so yea, it would be a new situation for many of us. :)
 
hjones711 said:
but if i have shown that i can do it by passing the test whats to be worried about?
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Some people wont be worried but some will be. Everyone is different in the Deaf community. U will encounter different personalities and different views. Just like with hearing and sighted people, they act weird around us. LOL!
 
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