This was forwarded to me and I thought some of you might enjoy it.
If you have ever read one of the little brochures that float around titled:
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU MEET A BLIND PERSON then you will enjoy the humor of
this message. (these brochures are written in the same tone as this message
and are considered to be negative by many competent blind people, including
me)
                ************************

        WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU MEET A SIGHTED PERSON

People who use their eyes to receive information about the world are
called sighted people or "people who are sighted." Legal "sight" means
any visual acuity greater than 20/200 in the better eye without
correction or an angle of vision wider than 20 degrees.  Sighted people
enjoy rich full lives, working, playing and raising families. They run
businesses, hold public office and teach your children!

       HOW DO SIGHTED PEOPLE GET AROUND?!

People who are sighted may walk or ride public transportation, but most
choose to travel long distances by operating their own motor vehicles.
They have gone through many hours of training to learn the "rules of the
road" in order to further their independence. Once that road to freedom
has been mastered, sighted people earn a legal classification and a
"Driver's License" which allows them to operate a private vehicle safely
and independently.

       HOW TO ASSIST A SIGHTED PERSON

Sighted people are accustomed to viewing the world in visual terms.
This means that in many situations, they will not be able to communicate
orally and may resort to pointing or other gesturing. Subtle facial
expressions may also be used to convey feelings in social situations.
Calmly alert the sighted person to his surroundings by speaking slowly,
in a normal tone of voice. Questions directed at the sighted person help
focus attention back on the verbal rather than visual communication.

At times, sighted people may need help finding things, especially when
operating a motor vehicle. Your advance knowledge of routes and
landmarks, particularly bumps in the road, turns and traffic lights,
will assist the "driver" in finding the way quickly and easily. Your
knowledge of building layouts can also assist the sighted person in
navigating complex shopping malls and offices.  Sighted people tend to
be very proud and will not ask directly for assistance. Be gentle yet
firm.

       HOW DO SIGHTED PEOPLE USE COMPUTERS?!

The person who is sighted relies exclusively on visual information. His
or her attention span fades quickly when reading long  texts. Computer
information is presented in a "Graphical User Interface" or GUI.
Coordination of hands and eyes is often a problem for sighted people,
so the computer mouse, a handy device that slides along the desk top,
saves confusing keystrokes. With one button, the sighted person can
move around his or her computer screen quickly and easily.  People
who are sighted are not accustomed to synthetic speech and may have
great difficulty understanding even the clearest synthesizer. Be patient
and prepared to explain many times how your computer equipment
works.

       HOW DO SIGHTED PEOPLE READ?!

Sighted people read through a system called "Print." this is a series of
images drawn in a two dimensional plain. People who are sighted
generally have a poorly developed sense of touch. Braille is completely
foreign to the sighted person and he or she will take longer to learn
the code and be severely limited by his or her existing visual senses.
Sighted people cannot function well in low lighting conditions and are
generally completely helpless in total darkness. their homes are usually
very brightly lit at great expense, as are businesses that cater to the
sighted consumer.

       HOW CAN I SUPPORT A SIGHTED PERSON?!

People who are sighted do not want your charity. They want to live,
work and play along with you. The best thing you can do to support
sighted people in your community is to open yourself to their world.
These Americans are vital contributing members to society. Take a
sighted person to lunch today!


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