[Blindtlk] Travel, Drivers, and canes

Wed Jun 9 02:46:33 UTC 2010

Dear Mary,

Audible signals offer very little help and can be even more dangerous to 
Blind street crossers than no signal at all.
They only tell you the the light has changed, something you can easily tell 
just by listening to the sound of the traffic.
They sometimes make so much noise that they cover up the very soft sounds of 
a vehicle slowing down to make a turn, such as a Right on Red.
They also give a false sense of security to untrained and less aware people 
that come to depend upon them and this can get you hurt or killed.
You must be the judge as to weather it is safe for you to begin crossing or 
not and for that you need to hear who is stopped and who is moving.  Some 
audible signals can prevent you from hearing the very dangers they were put 
there to protect you from.
If I come across such a signal, I usually do not press the button to turn it 
on and just listen to the sounds of the traffic to give me the clues as to 
when I should cross or not.
I have pulled 3 people back from getting run down in front of the Lighthouse 
for the Blind of the Palm Beaches, in the past.
They had one, in the middle of a block on Federal Highway in West Palm Beach 
Florida.
It was not even at an intersection, but the middle of the block.
The cars would run the light all of the time because , for most of the time, 
it was not used except when someone wanted to cross, from the Lighthouse to 
the other side where there was a shopping center and a bus stop.
If you put all of your faith in the audible signal instead of your own ears, 
you will get your brains knocked out by some driver.

I work in Public Transportation Service now, having been a engineer for many 
years, until I retired in 1986.
I have been blind since the age of 16 and drove for over 20 years being 
legally blind.
I never dealt with my blindness until I could no longer drive and retired , 
on SSDI in 1986 after I stopped driving.
It was only then that I met the NFB and began learning about blindness and 
how to really cope with it instead of covering it up, which I did very well.
I learned most of my travel skills directly from my NFB Brothers and 
sisters.  I did not go for rehab training until 2004.
I went mostly because I was losing more vision and wanted to make sure that 
I was not practicing bad habits that might get me killed.
I finally went to the Florida training center in Daytona Beach Florida for a 
two week evaluation of my skills, including mobility.
I insisted that they test me under sleep shades.  The center, did not want 
to do this, but I told them that it was the only way that I could be sure 
that my skills were real and that I could really do street crossings safely, 
even if I lost all of my sight.
They took me out on the first day, around several routes they used to train 
other students.
They tested me over the next 3 days, which got harder each day.
The fourth day, they took me down town in Daytona Beach, during bike week, 
and had me cross 12 different intersection and find 2 addresses, all under 
sleep shades.  I passed and got my mobility release signed off.
My NFB knowledge served me well.  Hanging around with other NFB members 
rubbed off on me and I have never had a situation, crossing a street, that I 
could not handle or have the confidence to do.
There are three things you need to have to be successful. You need to have a 
good positive attitude about Life and Life in general so that when Life 
gives you lemons, you know how to make lemonade, turn those negatives into 
positives.
Second, you need access to good rehab training, adaptive equipment and 
information.
The third thing you need is to know someone else who knows more about 
blindness than you do.  If you have these things you will likely be okay. 
This is why the NFB is the best organization for blind people, in my 
opinion.  It is full of people who are great role models and don't just talk 
the talk, but walk the walk too.
We have a very positive philosophy that teaches us that it is respectable to 
be Blind.  It is not something we need to be ashamed of or hide.

David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
Nuclear/Aerospace Materials Engineer
Builder of the Lunar Rovers and the F-117 Stealth Fighter
Past President, Palm Beach County Chapter and State Board Member.
The Palm Tran Service Board
The Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board
South Florida Regional Transit Authority/Tri-Rail
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mari Hunziker" <marihunziker at gmail.com>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 9:36 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
>> >>>>
>> >>> _______________________________________________
>> >>> 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/drevans%40
>> >>> bellsouth.net
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> >> -----------
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> No virus found in this incoming message.
>> >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> >> Version: 8.5.437 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2921 - Release Date:
>> >> 06/06/10 06:25:00
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> 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/dewey.bradl
>> >> ey%40att.net
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > 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/stevep.deele
>> > y%40insightbb.com
>>
>>
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>
>>
>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> Version: 9.0.829 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2919 - Release Date: 06/05/10
>> 02:25:00
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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/marihunziker%40gmail.com
>>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/drevans%40bellsouth.net

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.437 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2923 - Release Date: 06/07/10 
06:35:00