[nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets

Mon Apr 15 00:27:20 UTC 2013

Good evening Ashley and everyone,

    But not if we create the kind of incomes to allow us to perches these 
vehicles and a whole lot more. Figure it out!

Peter Donahue

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2013 5:29 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets

Aleeha,
Thank you. I don't think we are even close either to having such a car to
drive in public.
So, really we are arguing among ourselves about something in the distant
future. And, step back and think. Cars cost more money than taking public
transit and this car will be more than the average car.

We have so so many barriers in employment now. You will have to save a lot
for such a car and you can only save money if you got a job.
Getting a job is not easy and made worse in the economy. If you get
interviewed, even under schedule A in the government, you got other
competors against you with more job experience, more computer experience
perhaps. It’s a catch 22; you need more experience for entry level jobs but
you need a job to cultivate experience.
Yes we can work, but as I'm finding there are a number of barriers with
software accessibility to deal with on the job. Jobs you would not think are
visual are visual. For instance, many communications jobs require not only
the writing of pitch letters and press releases, but the compilation of
photos with adobe end design or using graphical layout software such as
microsoft publisher or photoshop to publish pr material. Not to mention
social media wich is semi accessible. Can you say the word captcha? For
real, these are barriers.
I'm really tired of people saying they'll just get employed or that people
who cannot find work are making excuses. Having a degree does not gaurantee
you a job. Having excellent references from professors and aquaintances does
not gaurantee you a job.

I've been hoping to find at least a part time job to give me experience
before I go to grad school; actually not sure I'll do grad school but if I
do, I'd sure like to work before grad school. And yes, I had internships in
the government and one nonprofit. still not enough experience.

I'd suggest having a job before getting a google car if one even exists for
the public.
Also, try not to make sweeping generalizations about why people aren't
employed. It could be you one day.

Ashley

-----Original Message----- 
From: Aleeha Dudley
Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2013 3:50 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets

Hello all,
     I hesitate to stick my nose into this one, but it seems that this
thread has provoked my own strong opinions, both about the Google car
and about the attitude of some list members.
     First, I will say this. In my opinion, I would drive the Google
car if there was a way to provide a failsafe of sorts that would
activate should a malfunction in the system occur. I do not believe
that we are even close to having these cars in public, let alone to
knocking down the proverbial barrier that exists between the blind and
sighted communities which would allow them to even consider permitting
us to drive on the roads.
     The second part of my message concerns the language some people
are choosing to use on this list, as well as the hostile attitudes
that exist amoung some. If you choose to curse, please take it off
list. I for one am offended by some of the language on this list and
feel that many others are as well. We are supposed to be a community
of blind students assisting one another in our educational pursuits
and issues. With the attitude I have observed, it concerns me that
some students might be afraid to come forward, fearing being shut down
or criticized. As Kaiti has stated before, this list archive is
PUBLIC! That means anyone can find it and read it on the Internet. Not
so concerning until you think about the fact that most employers
looking for a valued employee will do a web search and background
check. This means that they can and will find these posts with these
offensive words and will probably think of you as a less valuable
candidate for the job, or perhaps dismiss your application altogether
if they see such language in your messages. For your own job security,
I suggest this language and negative attitude tone down. Please
consider other list members who may not condone such language or who
may be younger than most of us.
Thank you,
Aleeha

On 4/14/13, Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Hi all,
> I haven't read all this thread much. But from what I read, it seems like
> you
>
> all believe the car would provide more transit options and you'd buy one
> if
>
> given a choice.
>
> I know the problems in the bus system; I've seen them and ridden
> paratransit
>
> and felt its impact of unreliability and lateness.
> That said, I think other methods of travel are more efficient and safe.
> Things like cabs, car pools, getting rides with friends when you want to
> hang out, and hiring a driver would be better.
>
> I do not support blind people driving because we cannot see to override
> the
>
> car.
> I have to agree with the individual that said that having a car is self
> serving. We are putting other lives at risk.
> We face many obstacles on the rode like other cars wipping in front of us
> when its not their turn; cars inching along not going the speed limit and
> you got to move around them, waiting for pedestrians to walk, rode rage,
> and
>
> drunk drivers.
> Without vision, we cannot! intervene the computerized car to override it
> when obstacles arise.
> I cannot tell you how many times my parents slammed on the brakes due to
> some driver wipping out in front of them, drivers who unexpectedly turn
> without turning on their turn signal like their supposed to, pedestrians
> who
>
> are still walking across the street when the orange don't walk signal is
> on
>
> thus making cars wait, having to swerve around bicyclists, and distracted
> drivers on cell phones.
> All these obstacles create hazards which a human driver with eyes needs to
> see and make a quick judgement and use reflexes to act upon unexpected
> hazards.
>
> So, yeah, when you all can afford a new google car, go right ahead and you
> never know who might be hurt if you even get a license. I just don't want
> to
>
> be on the road with you.
>
> I think the nfb car sounded safer and it was built for blind people, but
> we
>
> abandoned that project, probably cause of money.
> Ashley
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kaiti Shelton
> Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2013 12:08 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets
>
> I don't see it as self-serving either... in my experience with buses I
> have to agree with Sophie here.  Plus, some parts of town that I need
> to go either aren't served by buses, or take a really long time to get
> to which sometimes involves going in the opposite way of the
> destination for a while and then circling back because of Dayton's bus
> system.  (It's organized by buses going north-south and east-west, but
> sometimes when you're at a stop the time of the bus won't tell you if
> the bus is going north or south, or east or west so you have to roll
> with it.  I'd much rather just get into a car and drive than boomerang
> around the city just to get to one place, and then do it again
> returning to school.  And because of this, and the fact that it the
> bus system isn't exactly equivalent to a car, I don't consider it
> self-serving either.  I have no problem in supporting it and other
> programs of public transit for people who can't drive a car, which
> more often are people who are low income, have a suspended license, or
> who are inner-city, or elderly than blind, but if I and other blind
> people can afford a car and want one I don't see anything self-serving
> in that, it's just doing what is most efficient.  I actually think not
> taking advantage of this opportunity on the basis that the less than
> efficient public transit systems work fine and that other people can
> use the money or whatever that would go into buying this car would be
> like saying you'd pass up going to college even though you could
> because other people can be served by your tuition money, and the high
> school diploma would serve you just fine.  It's more efficient, so why
> not do it?
>
> Sophie, I too see it more as an investment in independence.  :)
>
> On 4/14/13, Robert William Kingett <kingettr at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Im buying this damn car the first chance I get. I’d rather be self
>> serving and frivolous and drive to some place within 20 minutes instead
>> of sitting on the bus for three hours, or more, depending on if the
>> driver didn't call my stop and I’d be riding extra long. Here in
>> chicagothat isn't a problem but I used to live in Tallahassee FL where
>> there was no automated system to tell you where you were. So yes, I’d
>> much rather be self serving and save up. Besides, as I have said before
>> in a previous message, this technology is driving along the streets of
>> Nevada. I'm so excited that I'm even grinning and daydreaming about
>> driving along side of a bus, and happy that I'm frivolous enough to pay
>> for a self serving device that will allowfor me to get to the office
>> quicker, or to an interview on time, thus allowing me to have greater
>> chances to pay my taxes so you other non self serving blind people can
>> take the bus. I think it's a neat little circle of irony, don't you
>> think? LOL!
>>
>>
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>
>
> --
> Kaiti
>
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