Oral History - Reading to the Blind

Steve Stewart (Tex), 37

Originally from Philadelphia, Steve Stewart who goes by the nick name of "Tex" moved to Chicago in 1994. He lives in a large loft close to the intersection of Grand and Ogden next to rail road tracks. This is mostly an industrial area but many old warehouse have been turned into lofts and condos. We are in his dining area doing interview, while the faint sound of a motor buzzing from a large industrial fridge is in the back ground.

This is gonna be recorded and posted on the web. Do I have your permission to do so?

Yes.

Second question, so Tex how long have you been reading to the blind and what got you started doing this kind of volunteer work? I never knew anything like this even existed. Did you look all this up yourself or did someone approach you?

I've been reading to the blind for almost a year now. I actually got interested after listening to an audio book "Blindness" by Jose Saramago a Portuguese author and I guess I never really thought how debilitating blindness is. This may sound silly but I'm pretty good with English, I'm a niche speaker, I can read pretty well, and I knew their was a need for people to read to the blind. So I did some research on the web and I got in touch with a organization called Blind Service Association and that's based here in Chicago and I went to their orientation and started reading to the blind through them.

Why the Blind? Just the book or was there any other connection?

The book originally got me initially focused on the blind and I sort of thought about the things I was good at and I'm pretty good at reading. I know it sounds silly but here's something I can really do and I'm pretty good at it, so I figured I could yea.

Where does this take place? In a office room or at their homes?

At the Blind Service association offices at State and Madison, in a large office building.

Is it just like an office room? Is there couches, chairs, etc ?

We go into small room dedicated for reading its a small, small room. One table, two chairs usually one on either side. One for me, one for the other person and that's where it takes place.

When you started did you receive any training and if so what kind?

Training consisted of about a 3hr orientation which took place at the Blind Service Association.

- Was it on how to deal with blind people?

There was a little bit of that and blind etiquette. Simple things, as when you enter a room or leave a room you announce your presence and say who you are when your leaving or entering. Other things, like blind people don't mind people using the expression. "I see what your saying." They use those expressions themselves.

Is it ran by all volunteers and is it a non-profit organization?

It's a non-profit organization. They have a handful of staff members. I couldn't tell you exactly how many, maybe like 3 or 4.

Would you say most of the people are poor, handicapped, rich or can anybody sign up? If I signed up would I be turned down? What's the criteria to get this service?

You mean for the blind people or to read to the blind?

- for the blind people.

I believe any blind person is eligible. Truthfully, I'm not sure what the process is for them to sign up, but yes all social statuses and you know all classes are represented among the clientele.

Do you find more of any particular groups of people? All colors, different back grounds?

It's really quite the cross section. I've read for; white people, black people, older, younger, professionals, unemployed so it's pretty much a cross section.

How long is each session and do people ever ask you to stay longer or shorter?

The sessions are standardized at 2 hours. When a blind person wants more then 2 hours of service done. They usually get 2 volunteers assigned for 2 sessions in a row. Just because, heh it could be a little difficult talking for 2 hours.

- sure and it's volunteer work so.

That's right.

What different things do you read?

Well there's a misconception that I read say novels or something but that's not the case. I read whatever they want or need to have read. Which is usually their mail, correspondence, text books, legal forms. I've helped them learn things on the web. Helped somebody order an artificial Christmas tree on the web, and I have also read novels. So it's whatever they want read.

Then are people friendly, eccentric, mean, a little bit of everything?

Everyone is always very appreciative. It's if you read for somebody many times. Obviously you become familiar with them and friendly with them. The fact that they continue to sign up for you shows some type of relationship developing so you know there are a number of people that I'm friends with. When you read for someone for the first time it's a very professional atmosphere. They know what to expect from me, I know what to expect from them. We get started, you don't waste time chit chatting about the day. You know they have stuff they want to have read and it important and they they have 2 hours to get it done.

- so that's pretty much their slotted time and your slotted time.

That's right.

What emotion do these people show while your reading. Do they make different faces then you or I would because their blind?

No, I would say facial expressions are just about exactly the same. I guess perhaps slightly less expressive. Often they're wearing dark glasses. You know a lot of expression is made through the eyes, so that's lacking.

Do you find reading anything difficult? Bills medical results, letters, etc?

No, I don't have a problem. You know, they asked me when I signed up if I had a problem with I don't know, maybe religious material of some type of erotic material and I said I don't have a problem with anything. I have yet to be challenged by anything to racy or controversial. So that hasn't been an issue.

When you get there is the material already there that your gonna read and do you make any preconceived ideas of who this person is?

The client, the blind person brings the material with them. In general the rely on para transit "Pace" to bring them. Sometimes they are on time and sometimes they're not, sometimes they're early. So they bring the material with them. So whenever they show up the material shows up. So the material is not in the room already, so no.

What is a typical session like?

I have a regular client and with her we usually start up with bible school lessons. She teaches bible studies. Typically for youngsters and I help her go through the lesson and read lesson plan and read scripture. Sometimes I will make a little chart for her to hand out to her class. Then she may have other personal things, mail or whatever to read. Then if we have any time left we've been working on a Charlie Chan novel.

Have you had to give people bad news, and how does make you feel? Your probably the person telling people something for the first time and you get to see their reaction to things.

Interesting I see what your saying.

-Like medical results.

I see what your saying, no nothing really striking. Some overdue bills . Once I helped someone fill out a consumer complaint form and I felt their complaint was groundless. So I say that it was slightly uncomfortable for me to do all this writing and putting it into his words while I had to fill this whole form out for him. So but no,no uncomfortable medical news or anything.

What kind of questions do they typically ask you about yourself if they do?

Often with my single time clients very little. They ask me very little about myself. There might be some pleasantries about it's a nice day or whatever, or if traffic was terrible. Very little personables go on. Like I said before it's a very professional atmosphere and we have stuff we have to get done in a time limit, "So no, no talking about me." With my regular clients there's a little bit more they know. I work with dogs and work with a dog rescue organization and they may ask, "how are the dogs?", "did you get any more dogs?" Little bits like that but that's all.

Have you made any relationships,friends, with anyone there?

I have a repoire and good relationship with them but no, no relationships has traveled outside of the Blind Service Association

Have you ever gone out with someone from there? Drinking or on a date ?

No, not yet.

Has anyone asked to touch your face to see what you look like?

No, in fact I have never seen that done there. I guess it happens but I've never seen it done.

How does this type of volunteer work make you feel?

I really enjoy doing it. It's quite rewarding. I don't even know if I have to elaborate on that.

Thanks Tex I appreciate your time and you doing great work and I'm sure the people you help appreciate it very much!

Thank You!