[Iabs-talk] FW: Horizons Happenings for May 2016

Sun May 8 12:30:51 UTC 2016

From: Horizons Happenings [mailto:mail=horizons-blind.org at mail185.atl61.mcsv.net] On Behalf Of Horizons Happenings
Sent: Friday, May 06, 2016 2:57 PM
To: datemeyer at sbcglobal.net
Subject: Horizons Happenings for May 2016

Horizons for the Blind - Dedicated to improving the quality of life for people who are blind or visually impaired. 

 <http://us12.campaign-archive2.com/?u=35e3619eb549139f292fd49f4&id=cd3c54ec09&e=431c809bff> View this email in your browser 

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Horizons Happenings

In this newsletter: 
Greetings from Horizons
Uber Settlement
Wearable Indoor Mobility Device
Unified English Braille
Available from the GADGET GALLERY
Horizons’ Calendar
About Horizons for the Blind
Connect with Horizons 

Greetings from Horizons – 
You could call May the pre-summer month so it makes sense that it’s National Bike Month and
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. That sounds like a not so subtle reminder to be active.

Anyone who uses Uber will be interested in a recent announcement about a settlement to end discrimination against users with service dogs. Though not related, that we know of, this follows last month’s story by Byron Lee about his experiences using Uber.

And while Toyota may be a few years away from selling a driverless car, the company is working on a device to make it easier for people who are blind or have low vision to navigate indoors.

Enjoy these and other items in this month’s newsletter and drop us a line and let us know how we’re doing.

Camille Caffarelli
Executive Director
Horizons for the Blind 

Uber Settlement to End Discrimination Against Blind Riders Who Use Guide Dogs

April 30, 2016 – Berkeley, California – In an unprecedented settlement announced today, Uber has agreed to take affirmative steps to prevent discrimination against blind riders who use guide dogs in its transportation network across the United States.

The settlement resolves a lawsuit—National Federation of the Blind of California, et al. v. Uber Technologies, Inc.—brought by the National Federation of the Blind, its California affiliate, and individuals who use guide dogs, to ensure that guide dog users have full and equal access to vehicles in the Uber network. This is the first nationwide class-action settlement of its kind against an app-based transportation network company.

While the growth of Uber’s on-demand transportation services has the potential to be a boon to blind people, drivers using the Uber platform have denied rides to blind people who use guide dogs. Any such discrimination violates federal and state laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities. Under the settlement, Uber will work to end this discrimination and blind individuals will be able to use Uber without the threat of discrimination.

Uber has agreed to take affirmative steps to tell drivers about their obligations to transport riders who are disabled and use service animals. Uber will require that existing and new drivers expressly confirm that they understand their legal obligations to transport riders with guide dogs or other service animals. Uber will also implement stricter enforcement policies—Uber will remove a driver from the platform upon a single complaint if Uber finds that the driver knowingly denied a person with a disability a ride because the person was traveling with a service animal. In addition, if Uber receives complaints that a driver denied a person a ride because of a service animal on more than one occasion, the driver will permanently be removed from the Uber platform regardless of the driver’s intent.

Uber will also enhance its response system for complaints related to discrimination against guide-dog users, and will track detailed data on all allegations of such discrimination. Additionally, the National Federation of the Blind and its California affiliate will deploy testers over a multi-year period to evaluate Uber’s compliance with the settlement.

Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “Access to reliable and effective transportation is critical to the ability of blind people to live the lives we want. Uber and similar services can be a great asset to the blind when they are fully and equally available to us. The National Federation of the Blind is therefore pleased with Uber's commitment to effectively enforce a nondiscrimination policy with respect to blind people who use guide dogs. We look forward to working with Uber to ensure that all blind passengers can take advantage of the innovative transportation service it offers.”

Plaintiff Michael Hingson commented: “This settlement is a great step forward for all blind people. Uber can be such a convenient transportation option. I’m looking forward to being able to use the Uber services when Uber makes the changes needed to fix its discrimination problem and bring true access to guide dog users.”

Attorney Larry Paradis of Disability Rights Advocates said: “This settlement sets important precedent and shows that companies cannot ignore the rights of people with disabilities just because they use a new technology or a novel business model. We are pleased we could come to an agreement with Uber and look forward to working with the company to ensure a more accessible system.”

Attorney Michael Bien of Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP observed: “Technology-enabled services such as Uber have tremendous potential to empower people with disabilities to live more independent lives. By ensuring reliable equal access for blind riders with service animals to Uber’s services, this agreement harnesses that potential.”

Plaintiffs and defendant submitted the proposed settlement to the court on April 29, 2016, and seek approval from the court to settle as a nationwide class action. Copies of the settlement and other documents can be found at  <http://horizons-blind.us12.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=35e3619eb549139f292fd49f4&id=8c8a79fe54&e=431c809bff> http://dralegal.org/case/national-federation-of-the-blind-of-california-et-al-v-uber-technologies-inc-et-al/.

Plaintiffs are represented by Larry Paradis and Julia Marks of Disability Rights Advocates, Timothy Elder of TRE Legal, and Michael Bien and Michael Nunez of Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP. 

Wearable Indoor Mobility Device

SAN JOSE, CALIF.:  Toyota is working on a wearable device that will make it easier for people who are blind or have low vision to navigate around building and indoor spaces, filling the gap between a guide dog and a cane. It’s called Project Blaid, it reflects the company’s commitment to enrich lives by advancing the freedom of mobility for all.

The device will help fill the gaps left by canes, dogs and basic GPS devices by providing users with more information about their surroundings. Worn around their shoulders, it will help users better navigate indoor spaces, such as office buildings and shopping malls, by helping them identify everyday features, including restrooms, escalators, stairs and doors.

The device will be equipped with cameras that detect the user’s surroundings and communicate information to him or her through speakers and vibration motors. Users, in turn, will be able to interact with the device through voice recognition and buttons. Toyota plans to eventually integrate mapping, object identification and facial recognition technologies.

“Project BLAID is one example of how Toyota is leading the way to the future of mobility, when getting around will be about more than just cars,” said Simon Nagata, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Toyota Motor North America.
“We want to extend the freedom of mobility for all, no matter their circumstance, location or ability.”

“Toyota is more than just the great cars and trucks we build; we believe we have a role to play in addressing mobility challenges, including helping people with limited mobility do more,” said Doug Moore, Manager, Partner Robotics, Toyota. “We believe this project has the potential to enrich the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired.”

As part of Project BLAID, Toyota is launching an employee engagement campaign that invites team members company-wide to submit videos of common indoor landmarks. These videos will subsequently be used by Project BLAID developers to “teach” the device to better recognize these landmarks.

For a preview, visit  <http://horizons-blind.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35e3619eb549139f292fd49f4&id=52af9d289f&e=431c809bff> TheToyotaEffect.com to access a short video, equipped with audio descriptions, which showcases a young man, who is blind, testing an early-stage version of the device.

 <http://horizons-blind.us12.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=35e3619eb549139f292fd49f4&id=0dd2da931f&e=431c809bff> https://youtu.be/f6c0JD5ti8M

Unified English Braille
Here’s a tip about UEB from Horizons’ certified braille transcriptionist, Greta Koch. 
UEB gave us new, unambiguous symbols for many common money, math, and general print signs. This allows them to be read correctly, even when they are found in unexpected places. For example, the UEB dollar sign (dots 4, 234) certainly makes transcribing "Ke$ha" easier. Also, + (dots 5, 235), − (dots 5, 36), and = (dots 5, 2356) are no longer spelled out as plus, minus, and equals in literary settings. Finally, it's good to note that the degree sign (°) is now dots 45, 245 and the percent sign (%) is dots 46, 356. 

Available from the GADGET GALLERY
Microwave cooking is a little easier with this versatile Multipot from Nordic Ware.  

MULTIPOT: N67600; $12.70
      This is a do everything pot. You can steam rice and vegetables, boil pasta or oatmeal and so many other useful cooking ideas. The lid has steam vents and when inverted it serves as a strainer. Made in the USA of BPA- and melamine-free plastic. A must have for every kitchen.

Horizons’ Calendar
June 18 – Horizons for the Blind Annual Picnic.

This is also our annual meeting with elections for Weekenders’ officers. 

Before the picnic, there will be a seminar from Vanda Pharmaceuticals about the non-24 sleep disorder. The seminar is free.

There are games scheduled and you could perhaps win more than the cost of your meal.

Cost of the picnic is $7; children 5 to 12 are $3; 4 and under are free. If you put $3 more with that you can be a member of Weekenders for one year. This will also entitle you to other activity discounts throughout the year.

If yearly Weekender dues of $10 are paid by Friday, June 3, your picnic is free.

So join the weekenders and attend the picnic. You will not be disappointed.

The goal for the day is to enjoy!!!

About Horizons for the Blind
Horizons mission is to improve the quality of life and to empower people who are blind or visually impaired, by increasing accessibility to consumer information, education, recreation and employment.

Horizons was started as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in 1977 by Founder and

Executive Director Camille Caffarelli, who has been blind since birth. >From two volunteers working out of Caffarelli’s basement in Chicago, Horizons has grown to a staff of 50+ employees, over half of whom are blind, visually impaired or have other disabilities.

Horizons believes that it is a fundamental right to be able to read billing and financial statements, as well as other documents, in an accessible format. People who are blind or visually impaired should have the same right to get this information, without assistance, as sighted consumers. This not only speaks to the issue of accessibility but also of privacy and independence.

Connect with Horizons 
For more information about Horizons and its programs:
Website:  <http://horizons-blind.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35e3619eb549139f292fd49f4&id=604f9cc774&e=431c809bff> www.horizons-blind.org
Directions for me website:  <http://horizons-blind.us12.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=35e3619eb549139f292fd49f4&id=5fdd4228a2&e=431c809bff> www.directionsforme.org
Follow us on Twitter at
twitter.com/horizons4blind
Friend us on Facebook at
facebook.com/horizonsfortheblind
Donate: To make a secure, online donation to Horizons, follow this link –  <http://horizons-blind.us12.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=35e3619eb549139f292fd49f4&id=3ade66dd1a&e=431c809bff> Donate.

Were you forwarded this email? Sign up to receive the Horizons Newsletter  <http://horizons-blind.us12.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=35e3619eb549139f292fd49f4&id=265a33c8d3&e=431c809bff> here.

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Contact Horizons at: 
125 Erick Street, A103
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
815-444-8800
 <mailto:mail at horizons-blind.org> mail at horizons-blind.org

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