[Blindtlk] New Member

[David Evans]

Dear Candi,

You do not need one of those kinds of signals.  The only thing they do is 
let you know that the light has changed, but they do not tell you which 
direction is safe to cross in and their sound can cover up the sounds of 
cars slowing down to do a Right on Red.  They often lead people into a false 
sense of security and people just step off the curb when they hear the sound 
and forget to use their skills and check to make sure  the cars have stopped 
first.
You want to listen to the intersection first, so you have a clear picture , 
in your head, of the intersection and in what order the traffic moves as the 
lights change.
Which ever way the through traffic is moving is the direction that is safe 
to cross.
  In other words, if you are trying to cross at a light, you should also be 
crossing in the same direction as the movement of the traffic surge.
you still need to listen for cars that have not stopped in any case.
If you really need some help crossing and you still feel that a special 
signal is what you must have, ask for a signal with a vibro tactile button. 
This is a signal that has a short pole next to the curb cut or cross walk 
with in a step or so of the curb.  You press the button and hold it and when 
the light changes in your favor, the button vibrates and pops out to tell 
you the light is good for you to cross.
This is usable by everyone, even Deaf-Blind and the button makes enough 
sound, without being held in, that you can hear it vibrate.  It does not 
cover up the important sounds of traffic and does not bother all of the near 
by residents every time the light changes.
If you are crossing a intersection with streets running north and south and 
east and west, here is an example.
Lets say you are wanting to cross from the south to the north and you are on 
the west side of the street looking north.
It would place you on the right side of the corner, which is good in that it 
makes you the most visible to cars approaching the corner from the west.
You should hear the cars from the west stopping and idling at the cross walk 
and maybe pulling up to the corner to do a right on red.  Now you should 
begin your crossing, to the north, when you hear the traffic on your left 
has stopped, and the traffic going north and south on your right surging 
forward.  Stick your cane out and indicate your intention to cross and step 
off the curb only if you are sure the cars on the west side have stopped for 
you.  Now just cross the street.

Depending on the intersection, you may have to allow for traffic turning 
from the north bound lanes to go west.
If you are crossing to the east, you will cross when you hear the east west 
traffic surge forward, but be carful and mindful of east bound cars doing a 
right on red .
I use these same techniques to cross the intersection of two 6 lane roads 
that each have meridians in the middles, duel left turn lanes and right on 
red lanes at all four corners and 65 to 80,000 cars a day.

There is no substitute for good O and M training and no audible signal will 
ever, by it's self, make you safe.  Your knowledge and ears are always your 
best protection.

David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary Wunder" <GWunder at earthlink.net>
To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2010 11:10 AM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] New Member


Hi Candi. Can you hear the break in traffic that corresponds to the light
change?

Warmly,

Gary



-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Candi Smith
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2010 10:08 AM
To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] New Member

HI,

thanks to all that let me know on where to buy kitchen aids. I ordered a
few things from A to Z.

I now have another question.

My apartment building is in the middle of a busy street. The bus drops me
off right across from my front entrance. There is a controlled light at
this crosswalk and the problem is I don't know when the light changes. I
can travel about 100 yards in each direction to get to intersections that
are light controlled but its a hassle.

It would make life a lot easier if they installed one of them sound
announcers that go chirp-chirp. How do I get one of them installed?

If nobody is there at the light then I am taking my chances crossing the
street every time.

If I was a better cane user than I wouldn't mind walking but...



Candi



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