[nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets

Mon Apr 15 00:28:48 UTC 2013

Hello Ashley and everyone,

    Blind drivable vehicles can also be included in that category. 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 5:34 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets

Justin,
I'll not agree with you all here. I see the barriers in lack of
transportation.
I doubt anyone disputes that. I just wish your energy would go into
advocating for better transit that is accessible. Advocate for more bus
shelters so you don't have to stand outside a stop waiting a long time.
Advocate for maintaining  sidewalks so all pedestrians have a safe place to
walk without the tripping hazzards. Finally, advocate  for accessible
websites to plan your trip and for automated call announcements if you don't
already have them.

We could come further in the transit battle if more would advocate on a
local level. This would be eco friendly and available to all. But a fancy
google car will only be available to a few who can buy it.
Ashley

-----Original Message----- 
From: justin williams
Sent: Saturday, April 13, 2013 4:09 PM
To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets

Because one of our major barriers is transportation rright?  It's one of my
big deals.

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Patrick Molloy
Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2013 3:27 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets

I'm sorry Ashley, but I completely and wholeheartedly disagree with you.
When NTSB executives are saying that autonomous cars are the way to go,
don't you think they deserve some credence? I honestly lost faith in the NFB
car. Sure it was "made for blind people," but you barely ever saw the thing!
If you're going to make a car for the blind, don't hide it away from the
public and then give no explanation when it essentially disappears. I'm not
saying that the Google car would be perfect. I'm not fooling myself with
that idea. But, I think that the technology is really impressive and, with
some modifications, it will be great for blind people. But hey! If you want
to always wait around for a driver, or a bus, or paratransit, more power to
you. It just seems like this all runs counter to the philosophy that many
people within the NFB preach daily. As for your arguments as to why blind
people shouldn't drive, I think if you read the articles about the potential
of autonomous cars, you'll find most if not all of your fears more or less
assuaged. Just because something SEEMS difficult is no reason for us blind
people to avoid it like the plague. That would be ridiculous! If I decide
not to get this car, it would only be after I'd tried it out and found it
not to my liking. Since the NFB car is more or less dead, I feel that we as
blind people have a responsibility to get behind the Google car in one way
or another.
Isn't that what the NFB always says? That they're there for blind people
when we need something? Well, we need to get around and we're tired of
waiting like kids for our parents to pick us up from soccer practice! If
we're going to be independent, successful individuals, then we should have
the right to get around just like our sighted colleagues. Separate is not
equal in this case. You may never drive this thing, and you may think it
ridiculous, but I highly encourage people like yourself and Carly to at
least consider the point of view of those of us who want to drive like our
brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers. You may think us self-serving,
but doesn't that make sighted people self-serving? I mean, they can take a
bus too! The issue here is choice. We shouldn't HAVE to take a bus if we
don't want to wait 2 hours. Now, if it's a nice day and you've got time to
kill, hey! Spend 5 hours going to the doctor! But we should have the same
freedom that all sighted people have. With that freedom will come the
realization that blind people can do the same things as sighted people.
Patrick

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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