[nabs-l] negative traffic

[Aziza C]

Ok, I've got an idea here... Anyone interested in doing it with me?
I want to find my local ACB chapter, and join in the fun. Say nothing
about my NFB affiliation for a while, and simply utilize the NFB
philosophy as I see fit. Say nothing, correct nothing about the NFB
except in the lightest ways, like... "I don't think the NFB truly
wants us to be unsafe crossing streets, maybe they just want us to be
independent?" Keep it very nuetral... If I can make friends and be
welcomed, I will let everyone know I'm proud to be an NFB member, and
just wanted to prove we're all not horrible, and if their willing to
give me and my friends a chance we could work together...
It sounds a little complicated, but I could see it working if people
do it right.
Aziza

On 5/19/09, T. Joseph Carter <carter.tjoseph at gmail.com> wrote:
> Sarah,
>
> Read the messages yourself.  Several on the list describe me as
> insightful, positive, and interested in positive debate.
>
> All I ever did on that list was correct the more blatant
> misrepresentations of the Federation, politely.
>
> Things such as "The NFB hates DVS!"  The Federation opposed
> implementation of regulations mandating DVS without consideration of
> what the needs are and the standards should be.  We generally support
> described audio because it is useful, and we would encourage
> voluntary adoption.  But we also don't want mandatory rules that say
> this thing must be required with haphazard standards and little
> consideration of how to make the content useful.
>
> "The NFB wants us all to be unsafe crossing streets!"  The Federation
> opposed universal implementation of "Accessible" Pedestrian Signals
> that involve a loud bird sound emitted at one corner that drowns out
> the sounds of traffic.  We go further by saying that such "old style"
> signals are simply dangerous to the blind traveler because they make
> it nearly impossible to hear the traffic patterns upon which a blind
> person makes a safe street crossing.
>
> We have no inherent disagreement with the more modern APS which emits
> sound at each corner when it is being used, at a lower volume matched
> to that of traffic, and provides audible and tactile signaling.  We
> recognize that there are intersections at which they are valuable.
> We continue to oppose universal installation on fiscal grounds, but
> have not offered significant objection to installation of these
> signals when intersections are being serviced.  That would eventually
> make them universal, but at a greatly reduced cost.
>
> That kind of thing.  The blanket, global, and incendiary statement
> got a clear response and interest in discussing the merits of the
> issue with the stated goal of improving our argument's quality, even
> when positions do not change.  This is what was met with such hatred.
>
> And it was not only me who was treated this way.  You say they treat
> you well.  Go over there and let it be known you are affiliated with
> the Federation, and you intend to continue to be.  See what happens
> for yourself.
>
> Joseph
>
>
> On Tue, May 19, 2009 at 03:50:08PM -0400, Sarah J. Blake wrote:
>> Joseph,
>>
>> Hate mail directed toward you is a different animal from what you
>> originally characteracterized the ACB as being: generally negative. For
>> all I know, your interactions may have prompted negativity toward you. I
>> don't wish to analyze that. My interactions with both organizations
>> include both positive and negative elements, sometimes quite a bit more
>> than others. It is also unfair to judge an organization by behavior on
>> its email lists. Email list membership represents a very small proportion
>> of the organiztion's members.
>>
>> Sarah J. Blake
>> Personal email: sjblake at growingstrong.org
>> http://www.growingstrong.org
>>
>>
>> I'm protected by SpamBrave
>> http://www.spambrave.com/
>
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