[nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets

[Kaiti Shelton]

Rania,

Us therapists and our traveling... well, future therapist in my case,
but still.  :)
It would be so awesome to tell an employer when they ask how I'd be
able to get from one hospital or school to the next, "Yes, I'm blind,
but there are these amazing self-driving cars Google made and I have
one.  I'd be happy to go wherever the clients are."  I would love that
type of flexibility!

On 4/15/13, Rania Ismail LMT <raniaismail04 at gmail.com> wrote:
> I would love to be able to drive my self places so I wouldn't have to
> depend
> on a cab to get from one place to another.
> I do have a friend pick me up or my sister when they can but I think having
> a car would make me more independent. Maybe I would be able to work at two
> places and see more client's instead of only working at one place.
> I would also like the freedom to go ware I want when I want with out having
> to set a pick up time with the cab.
> Rania,
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kaiti Shelton
> Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2013 11:52 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets
>
> For me in terms of employment, a car would be a tremendous asset.  It
> wouldn't limit me to staying in one spot to have clients come to me.
> With a car someone in my field of work can be contracted out to do
> home visits or to assist in hospice settings in addition to their job
> at a hospital, school, or other fascility where they can stay and just
> make rounds.  A car presents opportunities to me, and for me and
> others who's careers would benefit from having the ability to drive
> themselves it would be an investment.  In this case, it would
> absolutely pay for itself, even gas because time would be far less
> wasted, and I would get more fulfillment out of it because there would
> be more time spent helping people and doing what I love to do than
> sitting at a bus stop/walking to the next stop/sitting on the bus
> twiddling my thumbs... and we won't even talk about the hassle of when
> the driver screws up and you don't get off where you wanted to.
>
> Employment aside, I'd also like my own car so I don't have to deal
> with cabs.  Once I called a cab on a Sunday night and the dispatcher
> gave me an ETA of 30 to 45 minutes.  The driver showed up 2 hours
> later.  The car smelled of vomit, which I'm assuming was because a
> drunk person was riding before me and the smell still had not been
> fully cleaned out of the fabrics in the car, and I'm pretty sure from
> the feel of the car that he was speeding on the highway.  Not to
> mention that I asked him to take a route through downtown which was
> quicker and a little less expensive, but he took me down the
> expressway regardless... he did not get a good tip from me for that
> one.  And when we were in the car the cab driver kept answering his
> cell phone because I guess he didn't have one of those radios so he
> used the cell... but that coupled with how fast we were going made me
> feel really uncomfortable.  To me the buses I've ridden along with
> that cab experience have turned me away from public transit because
> they're usually shady.  I can use it and would if necessary, but if
> given the choice I would rather save the time and frustration and
> drive myself.  I respect the choice of those who say they would rather
> stick with public transit, but for myself and others a car seems the
> more practical way to go.
>
> On 4/14/13, blackbyrdfly at gmail.com <blackbyrdfly at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Focus less on the barriers, and far, far more on all the alternatives and
>> solutions. Unless you're receiving some serious discounts on public
> transit
>> and never use a cab, owning an autonomous car will pay for itself over
> time,
>> even with the need for insurance and fuel. Consider the cost of missed
>> opportunities, not just the cost of transit alone. Also, time is money.
> Less
>> time walking and waiting means more time to generate revenue. And we
> should
>> never underestimate the earning potential of self employment, even while
>> we're looking for traditional jobs. I've earned significant income doing
>> electronics retail on eBay with two blind business partners, and one of
> them
>> now has a software startup of his own that got him off of SSI. It can be
>> done if you want to work for it. It just takes creative problem solving.
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Apr 14, 2013, at 6:27 PM, "Peter Donahue" <pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com>
> wrote:
>>
>>> 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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>
> --
> Kaiti
>
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-- 
Kaiti