[nabs-l] Video Description

[T. Joseph Carter]

No, actually.  Consider the chirping lights.  The old models are 
actually dangerous to blind people.  Through the NFB's opposition to 
the things, new ones that get installed are much safer.

Many in the NFB still argue the things are basically never necessary.  
Having them fosters a false sense of security in undertrained blind 
pedestrians.  Without training, they may believe they can cross such 
a street safely, and realize their fatal mistake only when they hear 
the screech of brakes and tires.

On the other side of the coin, the NFB argues that putting the things 
everywhere may cause sighted people to THINK we need them to cross 
streets.  We want the blind to think about the things we can do, not 
the things they falsely believe that we cannot.

Neither are good, so the NFB is opposed to the old ones, and 
indifferent to the new ones at best.  Generally, if they're 
installing the new types that are not as loud or have to be actually 
activated, and if they're installing them while they service an 
intersection (which dramatically reduces costs to "just" several
thousand per intersection), we don't object too much.

Our opponents like to simplify that position to, "The NFB refuses to 
allow blind people to have these things that would make us safer!"  I 
suppose it is easier to attack an opponent than their argument, 
though.  This is why I hate politics--but that's a whole 'nother 
email, and I won't write it here.  *grin*

Joseph

On Thu, Feb 05, 2009 at 04:51:37AM -0500, sarah.jevnikar at utoronto.ca wrote:
> Why would they be hostile? Isn't any accommodation a good one?
>
> Quoting "T. Joseph Carter" <carter.tjoseph at gmail.com>:
>
>> Antonio,
>>
>> I don't see it.  What has the NFB done to further video description?
>> Dr. Maurer has gone on record more than once that he doesn't see the
>> need for it, and the NFB has taken a stand against making video
>> description mandatory.
>>
>> At best, it seems the NFB is indifferent to video descriptions.  It
>> seems to be somewhat hostile toward them as an accommodation that we
>> don't need.
>>
>> Have I missed something?
>>
>> Joseph
>>
>> On Wed, Feb 04, 2009 at 10:36:46PM -0500, Antonio M. Guimaraes wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I think that video description is a non-issue. Blind people   
>>> appretiate entertainment as much as the next guy, and video   
>>> description greatly  enhances the viewing experience.
>>>
>>> The National Federation of the Blind is resolved to do work to   
>>> ensure that every picture in every theater is audio described. I   
>>> think that is a wonderful thing, and wish to see real effort being   
>>> made on this direction.
>>>
>>> Short and sweet for once.
>>>
>>> Antonio Guimaraes
>>> Shop online and support the NFB of RI at no additional cost to you.
>>> http://www.givebackamerica.com/charity.php?b=169
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nabs-l mailing list
>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nabs-l:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/sarah.jevnikar%40utoronto.ca
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nabs-l:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/carter.tjoseph%40gmail.com