[nagdu] Universal Design

Tamara Smith-Kinney tamara.8024 at comcast.net
Tue Mar 30 21:11:43 UTC 2010


 Marion,

I didn't know that!  Too busy grumbling to myself and wishing for it to try
to find out if anybody is doing anything actually useful. /grin/

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Marion Gwizdala
Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2010 2:53 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] Universal Design

Albert,
    The prospect of universal design, especially in the area of electronics,

is one of the major initiatives of the NFB and the Imagination Fund!

Marion Gwizdala



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2010 9:42 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Section 501(d)


>I hear a need for an open discussion on universal design here. It would
> stand to benefit all people of all abilities if we designed things which
> would reach the broadest spectrum of peoples of all abilities. If we as a
> collective group took this into consideration the ability to impact change
> may happen more quickly as more people would benefit rather then a
> segregated few. This was the problem experienced with those curb cuts 
> which
> sent pedestrians out into the intersection rather then setting their path 
> to
> cross the street  in and with the proper flow of traffic rather then right
> into the middle of it. I had not been aware that the sounds emitted were 
> not
> universally designed to appear or sound seamless from one town to the 
> next,
> but then again the pedestrian laws are designed that way to why should I 
> be
> surprised.
>
> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
> CEO/Founder
> My Blind Spot, Inc.
> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
> New York, New York  10004
> www.myblindspot.org
> PH: 917-553-0347
> Fax: 212-858-5759
> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
> doing it."
>
>
> Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Dan Weiner
> Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2010 9:20 AM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Section 501(d)
>
> Hi, Albert and all.
>
> Well, I'll give what I consider to be an objective analysis of audible
> signals from my point of view.
> I think the biggest problem is that the operation of these signals isn't
> standardized and so each one is different.
> How do you know which is the north south signal or the east west signal
> unless you're familiar with an intersection?
>
> I think they are useful in giving us information, the same information 
> that
> a sighted pedestrian has, whether there is a light r crossing sign that 
> say
> s "walk" or don't walk.
> Since as blind people information is key to our success as safe travelers,

> I
> think it's a good idea.
> What you do with it is up to you.
> When I lived in Maryland, a complicated intersection about 500 yards from 
> my
> apartment had an audible signal.
> Yes, I did find it helpful, that is, once I figured out that the coo coo
> chirp referred to the east west street I wanted to cross  and therefore, I
> should listen for the chirp chirp, which meant I had a walk signal for the
> other street, or something like that--smile.
> Yes, guys, knowing when I had the light was helpful.  Doesn't mean my mind
> automatically turned off and I didn't listen for traffic.
> It is my person opinion that these signals should be available in a form
> that pedestrians can activate on every lighted intersection in the 
> country.
>
> Also, and the supposedly perfect travelers out there are going to smirk at
> this one, I am deaf in one ear and, travel skills or not, telling the
> direction of traffic is a challenge.  The audible signal was a tangible
> piece of info I could use and made it much more stress-free.
>
> I think the biggest problem, as I said, is standardizing operation: will 
> it
> be a chirp, a voice saying " walk sign is on", a clicking noise? I've seen
> all of these.  And, what about the activation and lack thereof? Where will
> the button be, where will the cross-walk pole be?
> Perhaps as a vibrant consumer organization, we the NFB could be giving
> valuable consumer input on these questions rather than taking a firm line
> and imputing lack of travel skills to those who might find this tool 
> useful.
> Finally, I've been to other countries where audible signals are much more
> prevalent than here and the blind do find them helpful...yes, I know 
> that's
> a collective term, "the blind" and we're all individuals.
>
> Now, I think someone mentioned that, when these systems are set up, 
> there's
> a big hoopla made about the blind now being able to cross streets.
> Well, guys, you know that stereotypes abound and why should one more get 
> our
> dander up.
> I've been at APS where I couldn't figure out which noise was for which 
> sound
> and ingenious passers-by asked why I wasn't crossing. When I explained, 
> they
> said "well, doesn't the signal tell you"--smile
>
> Moderator, my apologies, but I thought I'd just add my honestly felt two
> cents worth to this discussion.
>
> Cordially,
>
> Dan
>
>
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