[Blindtlk] crossing streets during excessivly loud circumstances

[Steve Jacobson]

BettyJo,

While I don't have any magic answers, I hope that a few thoughts expressed below will be helpful.

First, I think you are correct to not put a lot of emphasis on a tactile signal as the answer.  Without rehashing the argument over the role of accessible pedestrian signals, I don't think many would argue that it is good to stroll across the street knowing the light is green but without knowledge of what is happening with respect to traffic.  While that might increase one's chances for survival, it is far from a guarantee.  <smile>

Second, how often do these events happen?  Is it practical to take a route that would cause you to be further from the loud entertainment even if it added significantly to your walk?  If these events don't happen too often, walking a few extra blocks to minimize the noise might be an acceptable approach if it were me.

Third, I don't blame you for being a little uneasy about just accepting help from anyone.  However, if your city is small and you are only requesting to get help across the street, I would think you would be pretty safe.  I would tend to think that if someone were to see you as a possible victim of a crime, they would not particularly want to make contact with you as making contact would make them more recognizeable.  

Fourth, you mentioned policeman.  How large is the city you live in?  If it is small and if these entertainment events are policed because of heavier traffic, Connecting with your police department might be useful.  Only you would know if this is likely worth pursuing.  I have somewhat mixed feelings about that as they could react in ways you don't expect, such as concluding you should not be allowed to cross at all without a sighted person accompanying you, even though that would not be legally sound.  That would be unacceptable to me.  If you think that connecting with a policeman is possible, how about a simple but unique whistle pattern assuming they still carry whistles.  I think whistles are still pretty common when dealing with traffic.  You wouldn't want them to blow their whistle right in your ear, but a loud whistle pattern might be less startling than a hand on your shoulder out of nowhere.  They might even be able to remain where they are and still indicate you can go.  

I hope that something here is helpful.

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson
 
-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Diane Vlasoff via blindtlk
Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 2015 12:14 AM
To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Diane Vlasoff <guide.dog.teams at gmail.com>
Subject: [Blindtlk] crossing streets during excessivly loud circumstances

Hi all!
The small city I live in has an outdoor music venue which provides
live entertainment for 17 events per year.  The contract is being
reviewed by the city at this time.

While I appreciate the opportunity for local live entertainment, I
find that the amplified music is often broadcast at such a high volume
that it significantly or completely masks the sound of cross traffic
at 3 critical unregulated street crossings.

I intend to ask the city to implement appropriate safety measures at
these 3 crosswalks during the outdoor events.  While I believe that
the best solution is to install a signal with a vibro tactile output
at each of the three crosswalks in question in reality I do not see
the city locating funding for such an expensive solution.

So my question is…

How would you expect a crossing guard or police officer to make
contact with a visually impaired pedestrian in such an excessively
loud situation?

The only thing I can come up with is for them to tap me on the
shoulder or something.  But I have to say that would probably freak me
out since I have no functional vision.  Also since I travel with a
guide dog I am concerned with someone essentially grabbing me while my
dog is working.

Additionally, how does a visually impaired person verify that someone
claiming to be a police officer or crossing guard is actually what
they claim to be?

It sounds like I have trust issues and there is a distinct possibility
that I do.

Nevertheless I welcome suggestions.  What solutions have you seen
implemented in similar circumstances?  How effective have you found
them to be?

Thank you for your time and recommendations.


BettyJo

_______________________________________________
blindtlk mailing list
blindtlk at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for blindtlk:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/steve.jacobson%40visi.com