Start By Educating the Educators

In my work, I am often invited to high schools to speak to students on career day. I always invite an associate who is visually impaired because, too often well intentioned professionals (like me) consider themselves authorities but, I believe if you want to know about how somebody thinks, feels and lives, you need to ask them.

We always encourage the students to ask anything – we want to dispel stereotypes and to also answer questions that people usually consider politically incorrect.

I call what we do – sensitivity and awareness presentations.

The kids are always open and eager to understand. The teachers and the school administrators? Not so much.

Recently my colleague and I were invited to a high school in Union County. We were introduced to the hundreds of students in the assembly by the principal, who’d introduced herself to us as Dr. (name withheld to protect the ignorant).

Although we’d spoken with her and provided our bios, she introduced us as follows:

“Ladies and gentlemen, we will now hear from Ms. Gaston who is going to tell you about her career helping the blind. I think it is wonderful that she has also brought one of the blind that she teaches to live in society. You know we all must be considerate of the handicapped because they are God’s special people. The gentleman here today was trained to live like normal people and he’ll tell you how he learned to take care of himself. It’s important to accept handicaps because it isn’t their fault that they have an illness. They can’t help being different. Having so many challenges is not easy, not at all. So, I want you to promise that you will pay attention and make our guests feel welcome at our school.”

I looked at my colleague – my friend and the expression on his face spoke volumes. First, I told her I am a Public Information Officer not a teacher. Second – After speaking to him, discussing his credentials, and reading his bio! He and I both could not believe that she came out of her face like that! Nothing about this guy presents as anywhere near pitiful.

He is an educated world class athlete, husband, and father. The man is the founder and CEO of a successful business. He sells computers not pencils out of a tin cup on the corner of Broad & Market!

To lighten the moment, I leaned over and whispered, “Is it me, or do you hear violins?”

As, I addressed the students, I noticed a familiar face. A young man who is part of a group of visually impaired teens who are mentored by – guess who? My colleague.

The poor kid was chewing his nails, tapping his foot and fidgeting nervously in his seat. He looked terrified. I felt him. I knew immediately, he was afraid we were going to “out” him. He was doing something a lot of people who are legally blind do. We call it “passing” – pretending that their visual impairment does not exist.

But think about it – if the Principal, the leader of both the faculty and students has that perception of people with disabilities – do you blame him?

Peace,
Ujazi