[nabs-l] [stylist] Instead of Cars, Jobs

Wed Aug 25 01:10:06 UTC 2010

To me, the push for the Blind Driver Challenge isn't about actually driving. 
While this may be possible in 10, 20, 30? years or more, there are still 
plenty of obstacles to overcome before it becomes a reality. Where the real 
strength of this program seems to be is to advance technology which may 
benefit the blind. GPS was developed for the military but now is ubiquitous 
in civilian society. Speech synthesizers, OCR, IVR systems, and much more 
all came out of far-flung ideas but now are used much beyond their original 
intended market segments.

While we won't be driving in the cities tomorrow, there's a plethora of 
potential new technologies which could benefit us. Everything from new ways 
of presenting visual information either tactually or verbally, safety 
systems for preventing colisions, or improved navigational aids is possible. 
These could very well have the potential to open up new employment arenas in 
places far beyond the highway.

As a side note, I do hope we are pursuing grant money like what Joe has 
posted here. In fact, I believe we have people in Baltimore who do exactly 
this, so you may consider forwarding this information on to them if they 
don't have it already.

One of the cool things about being an organization this large is that we're 
able to take a multi-faceted approach to solving problems and creating 
opportunities. And while I may not agree with every idea that is put forth, 
I know that I both have the opportunity to find an idea I do agree with or 
propose my own.

J.J.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter Donahue" <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Writer's Division Mailing List" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Cc: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 8:12 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] [stylist] Instead of Cars, Jobs

> Good evening everyone,
>
>    Cars drivable by a blind person can mean more employment opportunities.
> In another ten years or so it could be common to see blind cab drivers,
> blind bus drivers, blind engineers, and blind pilots to name a few. If you
> take the time to study and understand the goals of the Blind Driver
> Challenge you will observe that the aims and goals of the NFB are all
> interconnected. For those who don't know there is now a Web site dedicated
> solly to the Blind Driver Challenge. The URL is:
> http://www.blinddriverchallenge.org
>
>        The site contains lots of information about this dynamic project;
> one I imagined and shared with others as far back as 1968.  Creating new
> employment possibilities is just one facet of this endeavor. Remember that
> the next time the bus or your paratransit vehicle is late or fails to show
> and you're forced to travel on their schedule, not your own. All the best.
>
> Peter Donahue
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jewel S." <herekittykat2 at gmail.com>
> To: <jsorozco at gmail.com>; "Writer's Division Mailing List"
> <stylist at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 6:45 PM
> Subject: Re: [stylist] Instead of Cars, Jobs
>
>
> Who says the NFB can't persue both? The NFB has been working hard for
> *both* jobs for blind people and the accessible car project. Why can't
> we have both? I just don't understand this hostility toward the
> project to create a car that is accessible to the blind. It is
> interesting, and may someday produce easier transportation for the
> blind, which will in turn allow for more jobs for the blind. Two birds
> with one stone! For example, I worked as a nanny. One of the reasons I
> would not be able to work as a nanny now (as verbalized by the few
> families who took the time to interview me after seeing my white cane)
> was that I did not have reliable transportation. If there was an
> emergency, I could not simply hop in the car with their child/ren and
> rush to the emergency room. Nor could I drive to the child's school on
> the drop of a dime to pick them up if they got sick or were in
> trouble. If there were a car that I could drive, this would not be a
> valid point. So, having a blind-friendly car would create jobs!
>
> My two cents,
> Jewel
>
> On 8/24/10, Joe Orozco <jsorozco at gmail.com> wrote:
>> See, instead of using current resources on distant future projects like
>> the
>> blind driver challenge, the NFB could be using funds to pursue
>> opportunities
>> like the one below, projects that actively find ways to put people into
>> jobs
>> in the here and now.  I hope someone in Baltimore tracks these kinds of
>> opportunities:
>>
>>  Department of Labor: Add Us In Initiative
>>
>> CFDA: 17.720
>>
>> Deadline: September 1, 2010
>>
>> Amount: Estimated funds available: $2,300,000. Estimated grant range:
>> $500,000-$625,000. Estimated number of awards: Up to 4.
>>
>> Eligibility: Eligible consortiums consisting of four organization types,
>> including an association of targeted business owners or other similar
>> entity, a
>> disability-serving organization, a local workforce investment board, and 
>> a
>> youth-serving organization (See full announcement for additional
>> information.)
>>
>>
>> Description: This program provides support to eligible consortia efforts
>> to
>> design, implement, and evaluate innovative systems models that support
>> integrated
>> employment opportunities for people with disabilities within targeted
>> businesses. Priority will be given to proposed activities that integrate
>> the
>> following
>> objectives: increase the ability of targeted businesses to employ adults
>> and
>> youth with disabilities; develop and evaluate replicable models,
>> strategies
>> and policies that would ensure that youth and adults from targeted
>> populations with disabilities have access to a broader range of 
>> employment
>> and mentoring
>> opportunities; and, form and strengthen connections between targeted
>> businesses, diversity-serving organizations, youth-serving organizations,
>> and disability-serving
>> organizations, building a national and local network of experts skilled 
>> in
>> serving individuals with disabilities.
>>
>> Contact:
>> Cassandra Mitchell,
>> 202-693-4570
>>
>>
>>
>> Joe
>>
>> "Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their 
>> sleeves,
>> some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."--Sam Ewing
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> http://www.nfb-writers-division.org 
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>
>
> -- 
> ~Jewel
> Check out my blog about accessibility for the blind!
> Treasure Chest for the Blind: http://blindtreasurechest.blogspot.com
>
> _______________________________________________
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