Training in public. Reasons why it is good!

Today, I was doing some training helping someone who is blind to learn more about her IPHONE. We did this in a coffee shop. Sometimes I am not sure whether or not this is the right environment to do this in. After all, it can be noisy and we need to hear the screen reader on our phones (in this case voiceover). But after today, I thought how good it is too. The other person had left for a meeting and I was getting ready to go too and walk home in the freezing cold wind with my guide dog. Someone beside me said, "Excuse me. I couldn't help but watch you with your phone. Do you have special software put on it?" I explained that Apple has made Idevices and macs accessible right out of the box. the man was so glad to hear it. A family member of his is losing vision and loves her iphone. I explained how to get voiceover or zoom (large print software) running. he thanked me so much!

Crazy things you do!

The other day, I had a meeting in a nearby coffee shop. After much talking, wrestling with technology, and consuming of hot liquids, I went to find the bathroom. I knew where it was and my guide dog did too. i put out my hand to touch the wall across from the bathroom and felt some round shapes that were rough. I thought they were travel coffee cups and that it was some sort of art installation. I went to the bathroom and when I came back to our table, I asked the 2 sighted folks meeting with me what the art was on the wall across from the bathroom. There was a silence. They said they had not noticed any art. One got up to look. She came back saying there was no art on the wall. I got up and went to show her. Found the wall, found the round scratchy things. They were rubber mats rolled up the ones you use in winter to keep salt and water off the coffee shop floor. That was all it was. No art at all. This is the funniest thing that I have done in weeks! I am still laughing.