Interview

Spencer: What is your name? John: John Grisso Spencer: How long have you been visually impaired? John: Well, I when I was twenty years old, I got into an accident while in the army. I would rather not get into that though. Spencer: That’s fine. What is the hardest day to day task for you? John: Getting from point A to point B. especially when it is further than walking distance. Any sort of transportation, you know. I mean you have your car and you can run out and jump in it and it not start. So you know you need to alternate your appointments, and what have you. But to depend on another body, well then you have to overcome two barriers, and you know it is a daily thing. You know you have public transportation, the red cross wheels residence are available for people with disabilities of all types. It’s not that functional for work related transportation, you get one shoot at it and you have to call them the day before. But if something that comes up today that I have to go out and do, then I need to a different form of transportation. So you know transportation is the biggest barrier, and it’s not easy to overcome. Spencer: What are your long term goals? John: My long term goals. Well, by education and training. I am a consoler, and I do counseling Here because I am more involved with accessibility for people with all types of disabilities and community inclusion. So I really work more in advocacy in disability rights than I do in counseling. But a, with that, my long term goals, I want to make change all for the better. Personally working with organizations like here to promote community inclusion for accessibility for people with disabilities. That is what we do here. You know I don’t have any other goals. There are a bunch of others that lead to that, is basically it. I want to do all that I can do while I’m here walking this earth, to make things better for the folks that are coming behind us. Spencer: How do you tell time? John: I have a watch. Right now I’m using a talking pocket watch. Eleven thirteen. I have used a brail watch. Spencer: How does that work? John: You feel the hands, and where they are, and there are raised dots for the hours. Spencer: Ya that was one of my problems. When I was doing my experimental learning I put a shirt over my head and tried to get ready for class. But my biggest problem was Telling what time it was. John: Ya and that is where good technology comes in, and takes over.