This is one challenge that I face as a blind person, though I suspect that it is probably a problem for everyone else. If a plate is piled too high then I have no way of knowing where anything is. No use in trying to guide me via the clock method. The clock method would not work because there is no order of navigation for me to follow. Everything from 12 o'clock onwards is now obliterated.
There is no room for my knife and fork to move. There is no chance for me to adequately feel the food with my utensils and everything is so tightly packed together that it is practically impossible for me to move around without having something fall off my plate. Maybe a sighted person could find a way to somehow navigate their over-piled plate, but this is not possible
for me as a blind person. So, how do I deal with a plate that is piled too high? If I realize that it is so, I politely ask for another plate and for sighted assistance to help me put some of the food onto that plate.
I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and share my blogs with others. Visit www.nfb.org to learn more.
Showing posts with label clock concept. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clock concept. Show all posts
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Sunday, June 21, 2009
My Plate Is Like a Clock
Did you know that when teaching blind kids how to find their food on their plate, or teaching newly blinded adults how to do the same, the clock concept is used? What exactly is the clock concept? I'll tell you.
The plate is presented like a clock so that when blind persons are being taught how to find their food on their plate, things are described as follows: Meat is at 12 o'clock. Beans are at 3 o'clock. Potatoes are at 6 o'clock, and so on.
This concept is often used to describe to a blind person where they can locate their glass or cup. It works perfectly for me as I have been using it all my life.
I know that much of society often wonders how a blind person goes about eating their meals let alone being able to find food on their plate but this is how it's done. I also know that many people are concerned about being seen eating with a blind person because they think that they may be embarrassed. Not at all. I am sometimes asked how can a blind person find their mouths with their fork or spoon and my response is: One does not have to see in order to find their mouths. You'd be surprised to know how many persons with sight have difficulty eating with good table manners.
I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your accessibility and special-needs business consultant, wishing you a terrific day and encouraging you to go out there and educate the rest of the world about how blind persons eat their meals at table. Visit www.afb.org or www.rnib.org to learn more.
The plate is presented like a clock so that when blind persons are being taught how to find their food on their plate, things are described as follows: Meat is at 12 o'clock. Beans are at 3 o'clock. Potatoes are at 6 o'clock, and so on.
This concept is often used to describe to a blind person where they can locate their glass or cup. It works perfectly for me as I have been using it all my life.
I know that much of society often wonders how a blind person goes about eating their meals let alone being able to find food on their plate but this is how it's done. I also know that many people are concerned about being seen eating with a blind person because they think that they may be embarrassed. Not at all. I am sometimes asked how can a blind person find their mouths with their fork or spoon and my response is: One does not have to see in order to find their mouths. You'd be surprised to know how many persons with sight have difficulty eating with good table manners.
I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your accessibility and special-needs business consultant, wishing you a terrific day and encouraging you to go out there and educate the rest of the world about how blind persons eat their meals at table. Visit www.afb.org or www.rnib.org to learn more.
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