[Missouri-l] ACCESSIBLE WORLD CLASSROOM OF THE AIR PRESENTS dDR. TERRI HEDGPETH, NOV. 16, 2010

[Nancy Lynn]

News Wire:

Dr.Terri Hedgpeth, Director, Disability Resource Center, Arizona State 
university will give us a presentation on socializing at a party.  She 
outlines her presentation below for us to consider.



Working A Room: Why is it important and what are some helpful tips?



Learning to "work a room" be it at a friends party or a large function at 
your work place, is an important skill to have or learn even more so today 
then in the past for people who are blind or visually impaired. I  say this 
because more and more people who are blind are turning to social networking 
sites for their social interactions and as a place to meet others. Once one 
finds a site that they are able to utilize with a degree of comfort, it is 
easy to slip into the comfort zone of visiting with friends where you don't 
need to worry about what you are wearing, how you look, dealing with all the 
disability related questions and the whole curiosity factor.



First step begins long before the day of the event arrives.

You need a "mirror." you know, one of the human variety. One you can trust. 
Later, you may find someone else, or several someone elses to serve in this 
capacity. But find one to help for now.

You need a human mirror that will be honest with you, and tell you things 
they might not consider telling you or other friends otherwise. Offer them 
lunch on you, or perhaps a Starbucks card in exchange for giving you a hand 
in the following tasks.



Seriously consider having them come over and go through your clothes in your 
closet, to identify garments that are soiled, dingy, worn looking or torn. 
Then have them assist you with matching tops and bottoms together for 
complete outfits. Don't forget your shoes in the sorting.



If you can afford to do so, get this person or another friend you can trust 
on taste in clothing, to go shopping with you. Don't forget some second-hand 
stores can yield some real bargains in nice quality clothing. A more 
affordable option for many of us.



If you are carrying around a few extra pounds, don't make the mistake of 
wearing and or buying clothes that are a little tight on you. Such clothes 
make you look bigger, and no matter how nice the clothes are, if they do not 
fit right, they will not be attractive on anyone. That is why it is 
important to have someone you know  who will be honest with you and tell you 
things you may not enjoy hearing. You will have to reassure the individual 
that you will not feel bad and that you need them to be honest and direct 
with you about how something looks.  As people who are blind, it is so easy 
for us to default to the comfortable old t-shirts and deans or God forbid, 
sweat pants.



Now, I have to share with you what many people say to me at this point. "if 
someone doesn't like me the way I am, then they can go find someone else to 
be friends with." Or something like that.



To that I ask how do you feel about someone who has really bad breath or 
B-O? Or someone who makes nonverbal noises all the time such as snorting 
flehm up into their mouth; sniffling all the time; making loud smacking 
noises while eating; maybe slapping their hand on their leg while they talk 
to imphasize points in their speech; or so on. Can you honestly say you do 
not judge these individuals who make a cacophony of noises?



If you are like most people, you do, and that is how people who are sighted 
feel about people who don't dress appropriately or have other annoying 
habbits.



So, make sure you know what the proper attire is supposed to be for the 
event you'll be attending and have your outfit ready to go ahead of time.



Don't forget your hair, whether you are a guy or gal, make sure your hair is 
clean and combed or brushed into an attractive style.



If you are a gal, and want to wear lipstick or makeup, have someone check it 
for you before hand. You don't want to look like a raccoon, or have lipstick 
on your teeth.



I only wear lipstick and I always wipe my teeth with a tissue before I leave 
the house or after reapplying lipstick.



Next, find out what you can about the room where the event will be held. 
This is not critical, but you will probably feel a little more at ease if 
you have an idea how many people are expected, room size, furniture 
arrangement, and if you are arriving to the place by yourself, how to get 
from arrival point to the door of the room.



Furniture: is there tables and chairs? Just chairs? Sofas and chairs? Stand 
at tables?



Now comes your big entrance into the room.

VERY VERY important! Do not allow someone to shuddle you to a chair to sit 
and . well, wait for people to come to you.

Working a room is done on the move. You will likely encounter a few kind 
soles that want to help you find a seat, even though no one else is really 
sitting. Just say, with a smile on your face, no thank you, I am going to 
rome around and see who is here. Then just do that. Walk around slowly in a 
"meandering" style, and stop at clusters of people here and there and listen 
to see what they are talking about. If that particular topic does not sound 
interesting to you, just casually move on. If someone from a group says "do 
you need any help?" Just say no thank you, just hanging out. Gage the 
conversation to see if it is more public and not a private one before you 
join in. You will most likely find some conversations that are closed and 
not intended for others to join in. Just move along to the next cluster of 
people.



Remember, facial expression is important. If you walk up to a cluster that 
are talking about weather, politics, an accident someone saw on their way to 
the gathering, you probably don't want a big smile on your face. A big smile 
in such situations interrupts the flow of conversation and communicates that 
you are wanting something and looking for an opportunity to cut in and ask 
something like "where is the hostes?" practice a neutral but friendly 
expression. Find one that is somewhat natural and comfortable to you though.



Presenter: Dr. Terri hedgpeth

E-Mail: terrih at asu.edu



Hosts: Ruth Ann Acosta, Sherry wells



Date:  Tuesday, November 16, 2010



Time:  6:00 PM PST, 7:00 PM MST, 8:00 PM CST, 9:00 PM EST,

           and elsewhere in the world Monday 2:00 GMT.



Approximately 15 minutes prior to the event start time; go to

TheAccessible World  Classroom at:

 http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rs0f1c528bd81b

Or, alternatively,



Select The Classroom at: www.accessibleworld.org

Enter your first and last names on the sign-in screen.



If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing 
software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download 
and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to 
the Accessible World rooms.



All online interactive programs are free of charge, and open to anyone 
worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer, speakers, and a sound 
card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with the presenters and 
others in the virtual audience. To speak to us, hold down the control key 
and let up to listen. If no microphone is available, you may text chat with 
the attendees.



Accessible World uses News Wires, like this one, to inform people of the 
topic and times for the many Discussion Groups on Accessible World. The 
lists are announce only to keep the traffic to a minimum. You can join the 
Accessible World Announce List, the Tek Talk Announce List or the Sports 
Talk Announce List by completing the form at: 
www.accessibleworld.org/mailinglists



Accessible World Contacts:



Robert Acosta, Chair

Accessible World

818-998-0044

Email: boacosta at pacbell.net

Web:   www.helpinghands4theblind.org



Marcia Moses, Events Coordinator

Accessible World

734-495-1496

Email: mgmoses at comcast.net

net



Steve Hoffman, President

Talking Communities

Email: steve at talkingcommunities.com



The Accessible World, a division of Helping Hands For The Blind, a 501(c)(3) 
not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the 
disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly 
relevant information about new products, services, and training 
opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access 
barriers that adversely affect them











From: Bob Acosta [mailto:boacosta at pacbell.net]
Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2010 1:16 PM
To: Terri Hedgpeth
Subject: Re: Accessible World Presentation - Can You Meet to Discuss on 
Tuesday?



Hi Terri,

please send me a news release ASAP or we just can't move forward at this 
time.  I can meet you at 9 am California time on Tuesday, but without a 
press release, I can't do much.  Let's see what Sherry thinks here.

Bob

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Terri Hedgpeth

To: Sherry Wells ; Bob Acosta

Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2010 11:40 AM

Subject: RE: Accessible World Presentation - Can You Meet to Discuss on 
Tuesday?



Hello Sherry and Bob,

I would be happy to meet with both of you Tuesday. Would it be convenient 
for you if we change the time to Tuesday morning at 10:00 Mountain standard 
time? I believe with the time change today that would be 9:00am for Bob. I 
don't know what state-city you are in Cherry. I am in Arizona and we don't 
change our clocks, so now we are on Mountain time.

Looking forward to visiting with you both.



From: Sherry Wells [mailto:sdwells at us.ibm.com]
Sent: Saturday, November 06, 2010 7:03 PM
To: Terri Hedgpeth; Bob Acosta
Subject: Accessible World Presentation - Can You Meet to Discuss on Tuesday?




Hi Terri,

I work with Bob & Ruth Ann Acosta on arranging / hosting Classroom of the 
Air on Accessible World.  I understand you will be giving a presentation on 
Working the Room on 11/16.  Would you be free for a short call next Tuesday 
11/9 at 2:00 PM Central Time to discuss your presentation?  If not, is there 
any other time on Tuesday you could meet?  Please let me know what works 
best for you.

To meet, we will use a conference number.  Just dial the number below then 
punch in the passcode when prompted.  Looking forward to talking with you 
and especially to hearing your presentation!
Thanks!

Conference #:  218-844-3388
Passcode:  090807

Regards,
Sherry Wells

      "Bob Acosta" <boacosta at pacbell.net>

      10/31/2010 12:32 PM
     To
           "Terri Hedgpeth" <terrih at asu.edu>

            cc


            Subject
           Re: responding to your voice mail













        hello Terri,
i shall call tomorrow at work.  I will need a press release soon as we need 
the time to prepare a news wire. Bob
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Terri Hedgpeth
To: boacosta at pacbell.net
Sent: Sunday, October 31, 2010 9:37 AM
Subject: responding to your voice mail

Hello Robert,
I was crazy busy Thursday and Friday with our VRATE conference. I am the 
co-chair of the conference and so there are always little things to attend 
to at the last minute.
www.vrate.org
Anyway, please feel free to give me a call today on my cell or tomorrow on 
my work phone 480-727-8133
I absolutely agree it is not to early to talk about the presentation.
Talk soon.
Terri





Robert Acosta, President
Helping Hands for the Blind
Email: boacosta at pacbell.net
Web Site: www.helpinghands4theblind.org

You can assist Helping Hands for the Blind by donating your used computers 
to us. If you have a blind friend in need of a computer, please mail us at 
the above address.