From: Al and Masha Sten-Clanton 
Subject: Re: ACB Washington Connection (fwd)
I certainly agree with you that it's not our job to fight other people's
battles, as I said.  Indeed, that would be treating others with the same
condescension that we deplore when it's inflicted on us.  I do say,
however, that we must not assert that there are differences between us and
others that don't really exist, or that there is some great commonality
between the blind (and no others with disabilities) and senior citizens.
I understand fully your point about blindness costs, and the taxicab
example is a very relevant one for where I used to live.  That example
also points out the problem with justifying regarding SSDI as a sort of
costs-of-blindness stypend.  A real stypend would be based on the costs of
blindness, not how much you had put into the Social Security trust fund.
If I'd had your cab bill, my SSDI during the 1980s would have paid about
half of it.  As individuals, it makes sense to use the existing set-up as
well as we can to make our way in the world:  you've done it, I have, and
so have the rest of us.  My contention is that there are better designs
for the benefits system, and I've suggested what I think are some of the
components.
My point in noting that employers or rehab often pay some of the blindness
costs was only that these costs are not always a bar to employment, even
in jobs where they exist.  I do think that "reasonable accommodation" is
generally a poor way to deal with them  I think rehab could do a very good
job of it if we could make it a high priority.  I do know how inefficient
it can be, however, so your point is well-taken indeed.  I think a
costs-of-blindness stypend would probably be the best solution, if it
could be made to work.  It should be fairly simple, would put the money
and therefore the power over it in the blind person's hands, and thereby
might eliminate one of the great excuses for not hiring us.  Certainly
there would be abuses of it, but no system is entirely without abuses.
I enjoy this interchange.  Whether you and I ever agree completely on the
matter, I think this kind of conversation is a part of making the
Federation the best it can be and promoting a better life for blind
people.
Al
---
---------------