[IL-Talk] FW: Article from Chicago Sun Times Metro State Section 2023 04 06

Tue Apr 18 23:19:55 UTC 2023

Kelly,
How have you felt about having your phone out to point it toward the signal?

-----Original Message-----
From: IL-Talk <il-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Kelly Pierce via IL-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2023 6:08 PM
To: NFB of Illinois Mailing List <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Kelly Pierce <kellytalk at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [IL-Talk] FW: Article from Chicago Sun Times Metro State Section 2023 04 06

A traffic signal identifier named OKO has just been released for the iPhone.  The free app makes unique sounds when the traffic signal is showing the don’t walk signal or the walk signal. I have used it a few times and the app has worked flawlessly. The app can be a game changer and travel enhancer for those who want additional support and confidence crossing streets with traffic lights. All someone needs to do is to point the back iPhone camera to the traffic signal across the street and instantly sound is produced, indicating the status of the signal.  Has anyone else used OKO?  Feel free to share your experience. This app could easily replace in my trials the need for feedback from guide dogs or audio traffic signals installed by municipalities.  OKO is currently under active development so feedback about signals that do not work with the app will be investigated and solutions created for the app to function at these intersections. The app has been used in Europe for a couple of years and now has just been made available in the United States and Canada.

Kelly

On 4/9/23, Debbie Pittman via IL-Talk <il-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I just hope the signals they put in will not be like the one at 
> Jackson and state which seems to only confuse the challenge of crossing.
>
> Debbie P
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Apr 6, 2023, at 6:49 PM, Denise Avant via IL-Talk 
>> <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Hello All,
>>
>> The court made a ruling yesterday regarding the Accessible Pedestrian 
>> Signals. Please see the below article. Also, I will be on CBS 2 News 
>> tonight at 10 since there is one near me.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> From: NFB-NEWSLINE Online <publications at nfbnewsline.net>
>> Sent: Thursday, April 6, 2023 6:16 PM
>> To: Denise Avant <davant1958 at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Article from Chicago Sun Times Metro State Section 2023 04 
>> 06
>>
>>
>>
>> Chicago crosswalk signals violate disabilities act, federal judge 
>> rules By Catherine Odom A federal judge has ruled Chicago violated 
>> the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to install signals at 
>> most crosswalks that help people who are visually impaired navigate 
>> streets and reach their destinations safely. U.S. District Judge 
>> Elaine Bucklo ruled Friday that the city's lack of accessible 
>> pedestrian signals (APS) at crosswalks was discriminatory against 
>> people who are visually impaired because it deprives them of 
>> "meaningful access" to public benefits guaranteed by the disabilities 
>> act. Bucklo's judgement was issued in response to a lawsuit brought 
>> in 2019 by the American Council of the Blind of Metropolitan Chicago 
>> and several visually impaired individuals. Ann Brash, a plaintiff in 
>> the class-action suit, said she was nearly struck by a bus while 
>> walking home from work in 2017 because the crosswalk lacked 
>> accessible signals, according to the complaint. Jelena Kolic, an 
>> attorney for Disability Rights Advocates who represented the 
>> plaintiffs, said they were "thrilled that the judge recognized that 
>> public entities need to account for blind and low-vision pedestrians 
>> when signalizing intersections. The city's law department did not 
>> respond to a request for comment Thursday. The suit accused the city 
>> of upgrading crosswalks without including accessible signals, which 
>> can feature audio recordings or tones that communicate information 
>> about the crossing's "walk" and "don't walk" intervals. The year the 
>> suit was brought, Mayor Lori Lightfoot had promised to install up to 
>> 100 APS-equipped crosswalk signals to make Chicago "the most 
>> inclusive city in the nation. But as of 2021, fewer than 1% of 
>> crosswalks in the city had the accessible signals installed, 
>> according to justice department, which joined the plaintiffs in the 
>> suit. "Federal law offers people with visual disabilities the promise 
>> of full participation in community life, and safely navigating city 
>> streets is a critical part of that," Assistant Attorney General 
>> Kristen Clarke of the justice department's Civil Rights Division said 
>> in a statement following the decision. Colleen Wunderlich, who is 
>> blind, testified about her experiences in this lawsuit and said she 
>> was "very pleased" but "not surprised" by the decision. Wunderlich 
>> said crossing the street without the accessible signals is "dangerous 
>> and unsettling," and forces her to rely on listening for passing 
>> traffic or asking strangers for help. She said she hopes to see APS 
>> devices at all crosswalks in the future. Janet Szlyk, president of 
>> the Chicago Lighthouse, a social services organization for the 
>> visually impaired, said she was "disappointed" it took a lawsuit to 
>> push the city to prioritize accessibility. "It should be an absolute 
>> priority for the city.
>> Accessibility is critically important," Szlyk said. The plaintiffs 
>> and the city have yet to reach agreement on a remedial plan. Kolic 
>> said she looks forward to negotiating the terms with the city. 
>> "Chicago is a very walkable city, and it should be walkable for 
>> everyone," Kolic said. "I'm hoping that the consequence of this 
>> decision will be that the blind residents of this city will be able 
>> to enjoy that walkability, just as the rest of us have been able to 
>> do.
>>
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