[Blindtlk] Travel, Drivers, and canes

Tue Jun 8 03:15:25 UTC 2010

Nothing is safe for a sighted person because they will not use there eye 
sight.
They will walk right into you or even out in front of a train.
I was on a bus today, we almost hit a car, the driver said the guy was 
looking right at the bus, and pulled out in front of us, how do you not see 
a big city bus anyway?
When I was in Denver, and anyone in Denver can agree with this.
The light rail runns aginst the traffic, they will turn in front of it, or 
just walk right into the side of it.
Even though the driver will come on and say "stand clear train moveing stand 
clear"
They will walk into or in front of it, and they will talk down to us, I've 
never been hit by a train
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 8:53 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Travel, Drivers, and canes


> Although you are right, I view the extra risk as just part of doing 
> business as a blind person. And I am not convinced that the risk is all 
> that much greater than would be faced by a sighted pedestrian.
>
> And I think we must be very careful not to engage in "driver envy" wherein 
> we automatically think that all sighted persons can or will avail 
> themselves of a car.
>
> Mike
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Chris Westbrook" <westbchris at gmail.com>
> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 9:48 AM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Travel, Drivers, and canes
>
>
>>I think some of you are missing the point that most sighted people
>> will not take the risks we sometimes do to cross streets etc., so to
>> say that it affects everyone is a bit misleading because most sighted
>> people will just drive a car.  Perhaps other avenues need to be
>> investigated like hiring a driver if you feel it is too unsafe.
>>
>> On 6/7/10, Dewey Bradley <dewey.bradley at att.net> wrote:
>>> Because no one cares about what's around them, and we can't hear when
>>> someone runns the light, witch they do all the time.
>>> We just whent around with someone on this list a week ago, you can hear 
>>> the
>>> cars, and can tell when it is clear to cross then.
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Mari Hunziker" <marihunziker at gmail.com>
>>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 8:36 AM
>>> 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
>>>>> >>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> >>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>>>>> >>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>> >>>> for
>>>>> >>>> blindtlk:
>>>>> >>>>
>>>>> >>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/marihunzi
>>>>> >>>> ker%40gmail.com
>>>>> >>>>
>>>>> >>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>> >>> bellsouth.net
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>
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>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> _______________________________________________
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>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> > _______________________________________________
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>>>>> > y%40insightbb.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>>
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>>>>>
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>>
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>
>
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