[Blindtlk] Travel, Drivers, and canes

Mon Jun 7 13:52:02 UTC 2010

Mary, you offer an interesting solution. There are a number of problems which, like audible signals or not, make it impracticable. 

First cost. I don't know how many intersections we have in the country, but I do not see cities and states putting up with the cost. Secondly, you overestimate drivers. Some of them wouldn't hear the bird, buzzer, or anything else over their music, or for that matter, their cell phones. Finally, audible signals won't protect you from drivers who ignore them, just like they do the lights, crosswalks, and those pesky pedestrians.

Now, to your problem specifically. Are there people to cross the road you need to cross near your sib-division? If so, how do they do it? Remember, it doesn't matter if they can see or not. If they do, go out with them. They will see how far the car is away from them. You can probably hear it.

If you need travel training, talk to your state rehabilitation folks and try to get it. Are there competent blind people you know who can help you? Some of us improved our travel skills in spite of rehab, rather than because of it.

Good luck. 

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mari Hunziker
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 8:37 AM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Travel, Drivers, and canes

Wouldn't it be better if there were Audible Traffic Signals at most intersections? It seems that the chirpy sound would both keep the drivers and the pedestrians alert. I believe that if a driver were at an intersection with an Audible Traffic Pedestrian Signal it (the driver) would hear the chirpy sound of the signal and help him/her to be more aware of his/her surroundings. Surroundings being other cars, traffic signal, flow of traffic, and pedestrians. Why is it that the NFB does not endorse this sort of protection for its people? I think it would be more effective to have these signals installed at all major intersections.

Thanks,
Mari Hunziker
On Mon, Jun 7, 2010 at 8:15 AM, Hyde, David W. (ESC) < david.hyde at wcbvi.k12.wi.us> wrote:

> You are correct. A cane, a dog, nor anything else protects pedestrians 
> from inattentive drivers. Nor, by the way, does vision, or a suit of 
> armor. The only thing that does is being an attentive pedestrian. 
> Those who put faith in the willingness of drivers to obey laws are 
> right, most of the time. My personal rule is that the driver always 
> has right of way, even when they don't. In this case, they are bigger than me.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
> On Behalf Of Steve P. Deeley
> Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 7:59 AM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Inferiority complex 
> withdisabilityvsnondisabledsociety
>
> Well, a cane does not protect you from bad, distracted drivers.  The 
> blind want equality, they have it with the drivers on the road today 
> as far as being run over.  I have found that most drivers today do not 
> pay attention to a white cane.  I've been bumped more than once.  You 
> really need to pay attention when you are crossing any intersection these days.
>
> Steve
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dewey Bradley" <dewey.bradley at att.net>
> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2010 11:41 PM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Inferiority complex 
> withdisabilityvsnondisabledsociety
>
>
> > Some intersections really are hard to cross, I am a very good 
> > traveler, and some times I have trouble with some of them, some 
> > times there are just hard to do, they may or may not be true in her case.
> > And drivers are getting very bad anymore, they are always texting 
> > and crap like that, and when you have kids, you have to really watch it.
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "David Evans" <drevans at bellsouth.net>
> > To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> > Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2010 7:45 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Inferiority complex 
> > withdisabilityvsnondisabledsociety
> >
> >
> >>
> >> Dear Mary,
> >>
> >> I must say that you need some basic O and M instruction in street 
> >> crossing.
> >> As for get a light installed, you need to keep after the traffic 
> >> department and also your city or County Commissioner as this is a 
> >> safety issue.
> >> Do you use a Long White Cane?  If so where did you go for training.
> >> You should contact your State's Division of Blind Services and they 
> >> will pay for it and other rehab training you need.
> >> Don't let the world pass you by.  Time is wasting.
> >> Your State's DBS can send you to a training center or even send 
> >> someone to your home to help train you to get across that street 
> >> and allot more.
> >> Good luck sweetie!
> >>
> >> David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
> >>
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: "Mari Hunziker" <marihunziker at gmail.com>
> >> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> >> Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2010 12:43 AM
> >> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Inferiority complex with 
> >> disabilityvsnondisabledsociety
> >>
> >>
> >>> Gary, I haven't had the STRENGTH to respond to Peter's message. I 
> >>> too, have suffered greatly. I used to receive transportation 
> >>> services here in my city but a few years ago they built a Park & 
> >>> Ride several miles away. And because of it I am no longer in the 
> >>> ADA service area. I have become a burden to friends, family, and 
> >>> my husband. My kids and I are trapped in our home, until some 
> >>> generous sameritan drives us to the store, the park, etc. I'm not 
> >>> even able to cross the street across from my subdivision. I have 
> >>> contacted, TXDOT, Travis County, and the city to have them install 
> >>> safe pedestrian crossings. They have not taken any action yet. I 
> >>> also was on a committee to purchase new park playground equipment 
> >>> for the park near my home. The board of my HOA said it would be in by April.
> >>> It is now June and they still haven't put any playground equipment 
> >>> in at the park. It makes me sad, because I do not drive, obviously 
> >>> since I am legally blind. I want to make a difference in the world 
> >>> but sometimes feel like Peter, inferior to my circumstances and 
> >>> environment. It is very frustrating. I want so hard to be 
> >>> independent but where I live it is impossible to get anywhere 
> >>> independently.
> >>> I however, am proud of the fact that I can walk to my son's 
> >>> school, to the DQ and Taco Bell and Walgreens near the school as 
> >>> well as a few other places like the Post Office that are on the 
> >>> same side of the street that my home is on. How do I get the local 
> >>> governments and other organizations willing to make accommodations 
> >>> so that I may become an independent patron of the establishments 
> >>> across the street from my subdivision? Oh and by the way, 
> >>> cabs/taxi's are extremely expensive to call on just to get across the street. Please help!
> >>> Please give me some advise.
> >>> Thank you,
> >>> Mari
> >>>
> >>> On Fri, Jun 4, 2010 at 8:21 AM, Gary Wunder 
> >>> <gwunder at earthlink.net>
> >>> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Peter, I disagree with your characterization of the notes written 
> >>>> to you as arrogant or conservative.  No one has told you to just 
> >>>> go do it yourself.
> >>>>  People have put their hearts into words for you and in thanks 
> >>>> for that you have told us what a small list we make up and how 
> >>>> small minded we are.
> >>>>
> >>>> Julie wrote to you a wonderfully constructive message.  The same 
> >>>> is true of Steve and Dave and others.  You have to decide whether 
> >>>> you are content being angry and figure out how to channel your 
> >>>> anger into something positive.
> >>>> If
> >>>> you need help convincing Alabama rehab to send you to a Center, 
> >>>> we can try to help.  We can't promise results, but we can promise 
> >>>> our best efforts.
> >>>>
> >>>> If your area has no chapter, then we need you more than ever 
> >>>> because there is hope the NFB isn't offering which you can bring 
> >>>> if you will.  If you have suffered more than most of us, then 
> >>>> perhaps you will have more compassion than we for people who 
> >>>> really need you.  Your inspiration may inspire them, your 
> >>>> perseverance may give them strength, and your willingness to give 
> >>>> some of yourself to them will make all of us better.  Are you 
> >>>> interested in talking about problems and solutions or in just 
> >>>> putting us down for extending ourselves to you?
> >>>>
> >>>> Gary
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>> blindtlk mailing list
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> >>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/marihun
> >>>> zi
> >>>> ker%40gmail.com
> >>>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
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> >>
> >>
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