[nfb-talk] [Bulk] Re: Traffic Signals
John Heim
john at johnheim.net
Fri Dec 10 14:11:16 UTC 2010
Well, actually, we've been talking about audible walk signals when we really
should be talking about accessible pedestrian signals, or APSs. An APS
vibrates so a berson with both sight and hearing disabilities can tell when
the light changes. They have those around campus here at the University of
Wisconsin and they are really nice.
I don't think you will actually find the term "audible walk signal" anywhere
on the Access Board web site. Their recommendation was for accessible
pedestrian signals, which, I would assume would include accomodations for
people in wheelchairs who can't walk. Of course, I know a few people who are
visually impaired, hearing impaired, and in wheelchairs. I understand there
are some syndromes that cause all three problems. But I don't know if these
people get around campus by themselves.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Wm. Ritchhart" <william.ritchhart at sbcglobal.net>
To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, December 10, 2010 6:48 AM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [Bulk] Re: Traffic Signals
> John,
>
> I have experienced the exact problem of which I spoke. I also admit that
> my
> total deafness in one ear could have been a contributor. It don't matter.
> They make me less safe and so I would prefer then to not be installed.
>
> Thanks, William
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of John G. Heim
> Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 8:41 PM
> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
> Subject: [Bulk] Re: [nfb-talk] Traffic Signals
>
> Well, I've been all over the country and I've never experienced an audible
> signal that masks traffic noise. So I think that problem is greatly
> exaggerated. But even so, the Access Board has specific guidelines on the
> sound and volume audible signals should make. If an audible signal is set
> up
>
> wrong, you get that one fixed. You don't do away with them all.
>
> If an audible signal mmasks traffic noise, so would a bird or a person
> whistling nearby. If anything, that makes audible signals even more
> important because if traffic noise is so easily masked, then we certainly
> should not be relying entirely on traffic noise to cross the street.
>
> Come on, people. How many sighted people do you think would voluntarily
> cross the street with their eyes closed? Going entirely by traffic noise
> is
> hard and prone to failure. Any additional information we can get to keep
> us
> safe is valuable. Look, I know a message saying that there is something we
> blind people struggle with is a difficult thing to hear. But it doesn't do
> any good for us to bury our heads in the sand. You want to be truly
> independent, stand up there and say, "I may occasionally need an
> accomodation but I'm still as good as anybody." Asking for an accomodation
> is not a disgrace. When the founding fathers said all men are created
> equal,
>
> they didn't mean physically.
>
> We *deserve* audible walk signals. For their safety, sighted people have
> visible signals. We have the right to the same information they have when
> crossing the street.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Wm. Ritchhart" <william.ritchhart at sbcglobal.net>
> To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 5:06 PM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Traffic Signals
>
>
>> John,
>>
>> I agree with what you say about verifying it is safe in spite of the
>> light
>> being green. However I also believe that the masking of the normal
>> traffic
>> sounds that occurs with the audible signals creates a greater risk to the
>> blind traveler.
>>
>> Thanks, William
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of John Heim
>> Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 4:08 PM
>> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
>> Subject: [Bulk] Re: [nfb-talk] [NFB-talk] Here WeGoAgain: Home
>> Makeover-blindcouple in OH
>>
>> David, I can't say nobody ever stepped into an intersection just because
>> the
>>
>> audible signal started clanging. But that's no reason to argue against
>> audible signals. It makes no more sense than saying they should get rid
>> of
>> walk lights because some people might step into the intersection when
>> they
>> see the light turn green.
>>
>> I suppose in the long history of the world, lots of people have just
>> walked
>> off into the street when the walk signal turned green and got run over.
>> But
>> that's no reason to get rid of walk lights. Likewise, if people are
>> foolish
>> enough to not bother listening for traffic when the audible signal starts
>> beeping, well, that's terrible but it is not a reason to do away with
>> audible signals.
>>
>> Also, you do not get the same information from the traffic surge as you
>> do
>> from a audible signal. The traffic surge is not nearly as dependable or
>> as
>> clear. Some streets are deliberately configured so that there is no
>> surge.
>> They time the lights so that the cars arrive just as the light changes.
>> Secondly, its easy to confuse the sound of a car making a left turn for
>> the
>> sound of a car starting out at a green light. Third, the audible signals
>> provide information on the location of the opposite curb.
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "David Evans" <drevans at bellsouth.net>
>> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 1:45 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [NFB-talk] Here WeGoAgain: Home
>> Makeover-blindcouple
>>
>> in OH
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Dear John,
>>>
>>> Audible signals do not , of themselves , make street crossing any safer.
>>> The actions of drivers and above all the Blind crosser do. We can never
>>> have complete control of what the drivers will do, but we can control
>>> what, we do.
>>> Part of that action is listening to make sure , as much as we can, that
>>> all cars are stopped or moving in a parallel direction.
>>> We can get the same information , the audible signal gives, that is that
>>> the light has changed, just from the sound of the parallel traffic
>>> surging
>>
>>> forward and the sound of the cars stopped at the crosswalk.
>>> Audible signals do not, of themselves, force the cars to stop, dead in
>>> their tracks, and wait for us to cross. No steel barrier jumps out of
>>> the
>>
>>> pavement to prevent them from running through the intersection and
>>> running us down. The sound of the audible signal only lets us know that
>>> the light has changed, something we already know from the sound of the
>>> traffic. Just because we know that the light has changed does not
>>> automatically make it safe or safer to cross than if there were no light
>>> present at all.
>>> I have pulled 3 people back from getting run down at the old audible
>>> signal in front of the Lighthouse of the Palm Beaches over the years.
>>> The cars can and do run the lights, noise and All.
>>> They even tried making the signal louder, you can hear it almost half a
>>> mile away, and it still did no good.
>>> It actually covered up the sounds of the cars and made it more
>>> dangerous.
>>> I refused and still refuse to use such crossings. I do not press the
>>> buttons anymore as the sounds of the traffic give me all of the clues I
>>> need to tell when it is safe to cross or not.
>>> I routinely cross Glades Road and State Road 7 in West Boca Raton,
>>> Florida.
>>> This is the intersection of two 6 lane roads, with duel left hand turn
>>> lanes at all 4 corners, meridians in between the opposing traffic
>>> directions and right on red lanes at all 4 corners. There are 80,000
>>> cars
>>
>>> going through the intersection daily and NO AUDIBLE SIGNALS, Thank
>>> God!!!
>>> I have been crossing there for the past 32 years. I cross it in both
>>> the
>>> Nor to South and the East to West directions.
>>> The cars making the Right on Red are the biggest hazard I face and that
>>> is
>>
>>> where I especially need unobstructed hearing so I can hear that
>>> descending
>>
>>> wine of tires and gear trains of the cars as they slow, but do not stop
>>> for the red light. My hearing is what makes the difference in crossing
>>> the streets safely.
>>> Many people, who do use the audible, just get use to the sound and step
>>> off the curb without checking to make sure it is safe. They get into a
>>> false sense of security and drop their guard. The red lights nor the
>>> audible signals , make the cars stop. Heck, our county is making a mint
>>> off money on the fines from the stop light cameras here in my county and
>>> we only have a few of them right now. The county plans to install more
>>> as
>>
>>> it is proving to be a great revenue stream.
>>>
>>> I know that you may find it hard to believe John, But their are many of
>>> us
>>
>>> who don't need audible signals, Don't want them and even avoid them
>>> because they mask the sound of traffic, which is the only good
>>> information
>>
>>> we, as blind people, can depend upon.
>>> I will agree that there are some unusual intersections where an audible
>>> signal may or may not be useful, but they are the exception and not the
>>> rule. They are not the answer to the problem to safe street crossing,
>>> good mobility training and hearing are by far the best tools we have in
>>> getting across alive.
>>> I don't care what you think or how many sightings of the ANSI you can
>>> dig
>>> up. I have served on the ANSI before and know that they don't always
>>> get
>>> it right or know what is best for everyone.
>>> You always believe that your logic and opinion is the best and just get
>>> into circular arguments with members on this list, talking down to us
>>> and
>>> trying to shame us into your way of thinking or because we don't agree
>>> with your point of view. You try to hide , smugly, behind your logic
>>> and
>>> condescend to those who disagree with you.
>>> I, for one, don't agree with you and likely never will.
>>> I shall use my choice and delete all messages from you in the future as
>>> soon as I see your name.
>>> I feel sorry for you that you are so afraid to cross without an audible
>>> signal and you feel you must brow beat all others into your own way of
>>> thinking.
>>>
>>> GOOD DAY to you sir!!!
>>>
>>> David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "John Heim" <john at johnheim.net>
>>> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 10:19 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [NFB-talk] Here We GoAgain: Home
>>> Makeover-blindcouple in OH
>>>
>>>
>>>> Well, I can't imagine why anyone would deliberatly do something so
>>>> dangerous. But its not really relevant anyway. I mean, I wouldn't want
>>>> you to get hit by a car but your rather odd personal preference aside,
>>>> the fact remains that audible walk signals make it safer for blind
>>>> people
>>
>>>> to cross streets.
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Cindy Handel" <cindy425 at verizon.net>
>>>> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Monday, December 06, 2010 5:06 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [NFB-talk] Here We Go Again: Home
>>>> Makeover-blindcouple in OH
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Yes, I ignore audible walk signals. I rely on the traffic.
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "John Heim" <john at johnheim.net>
>>>>> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Monday, December 06, 2010 5:28 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [NFB-talk] Here We Go Again: Home
>>>>> Makeover-blindcouple in OH
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Cindy, think about what you're saying. You ignore audible walk
>>>>> signals?
>>>>> Do
>>>>> you realize how dangerous that is? What would you think of someone who
>>>>> said
>>>>> they ignore visible walk signals? You know that's illegal, right? Do
>>>>> you
>>>>> know why its illegal? Because its dangerous!
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Cindy Handel" <cindy425 at verizon.net>
>>>>> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Monday, December 06, 2010 3:38 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [NFB-talk] Here We Go Again: Home
>>>>> Makeover-blindcouple in OH
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>I don't think Connie, (or her experiences with audible traffic
>>>>>>signals)
>>>>>>is
>>>>>> unusual. I haven't encountered them frequently. But, I dislike
>>>>>> them,
>>>>>> when
>>>>>> I have. I try my best to ignore them. But, if they're loud, it's
>>>>>> hard
>>
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> do.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Cindy
>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>> From: "John Heim" <john at johnheim.net>
>>>>>> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Sent: Monday, December 06, 2010 3:45 PM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [NFB-talk] Here We Go Again: Home
>>>>>> Makeover-blindcouple in OH
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Well, you are unusual.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> You don't have to take my word for it, of course. The Access Board
>>>>>> web
>>>>>> site
>>>>>> has quite a bit of information on the research on audible walk
>>>>>> signals.
>>>>>> Audible walk signals make blind people safer. That is not debatable.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>> From: "Constance Canode" <satin-bear at sbcglobal.net>
>>>>>> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Sent: Monday, December 06, 2010 2:09 PM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [NFB-talk] Here We Go Again: Home
>>>>>> Makeover-blindcouple in OH
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> As a good cane traveler and experienced in travel all over the
>>>>>>> country, I
>>>>>>> find the audible signals distracting when you are trying to listen
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> traffic, especially if the are louder than the norm.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Connie Canode
>>>>>>> At 01:58 PM 12/6/2010, you wrote:
>>>>>>>>Yeah, a driver can still make a mistake and the audible signal won't
>>>>>>>>protect you. But audible walk signals aren't to keep drivers from
>>>>>>>>making
>>>>>>>>mistakes. They're to keep blind people from making mistakes. And
>>>>>>>>they're
>>>>>>>>really good for that.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe Orozco" <jsorozco at gmail.com>
>>>>>>>>To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>Sent: Monday, December 06, 2010 12:51 PM
>>>>>>>>Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [NFB-talk] Here We Go Again: Home
>>>>>>>>Makeover-blindcouple in OH
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>If there's a light, it's not difficult. A car is just as likely to
>>>>>>>>>hit
>>>>>>>>>you
>>>>>>>>>in a lighted intersection with or without an audible signal. If
>>>>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>crossing is done without stop signs or some other type of traffic
>>>>>>>>>control,
>>>>>>>>>then I agree something is required, but I think audible signals
>>>>>>>>>should
>>>>>>>>>be
>>>>>>>>>enhancers if used, not requirements.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>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
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>>From: John Heim [mailto:john at johnheim.net]
>>>>>>>>>Sent: Monday, December 06, 2010 1:32 PM
>>>>>>>>>To: jsorozco at gmail.com; NFB Talk Mailing List
>>>>>>>>>Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [NFB-talk] Here We Go Again: Home
>>>>>>>>>Makeover -blindcouple in OH
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>She didn't say it was too much of a challenge to cross the street.
>>>>>>>>>She
>>>>>>>>>demonstrated how difficult it is. Sometimes, it is difficult.
>>>>>>>>>There are
>>>>>>>>>intersections where having an accessible pedestrian signal makes it
>>>>>>>>>way
>>>>>>>>>easier and way safer for a blind person to cross. Its impossible to
>>>>>>>>>say
>>>>>>>>>whether an accessible pedestrian signal was really necessary on
>>>>>>>>>that corner
>>>>>>>>>but I see no reason to doubt it. I say when in doubt, put the
>>>>>>>>>signal
>>>>>>>>>in.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe Orozco"
>>>>>>>>><jsorozco at gmail.com>
>>>>>>>>>To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>Sent: Monday, December 06, 2010 11:18 AM
>>>>>>>>>Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [NFB-talk] Here We Go Again: Home
>>>>>>>>>Makeover -blindcouple in OH
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>You know, if they were willing to give me all them there
>>>>>>>>>gifts, I'll be
>>>>>>>>>>glad
>>>>>>>>>>to accept them and simultaneously correct their misconceptions of
>>>>>>>>>>blindness.
>>>>>>>>>>A win/win! LOL I'm just curious to hear what it is they
>>>>>>>>>counsel people
>>>>>>>>>>about empowerment if the street intersection is too much of a
>>>>>>>>>challenge?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>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
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>>>From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>[mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Rovig, Lorraine
>>>>>>>>>>Sent: Monday, December 06, 2010 12:02 PM
>>>>>>>>>>To: NFB Talk Mailing List
>>>>>>>>>>Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] [NFB-talk] Here We Go Again: Home
>>>>>>>>>>Makeover - blindcouple in OH
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>Here We Go Again: Home Makeover Extreme Edition - blind couple in
>>>>>>>>>>OH
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>Well, I watched it. It was pretty bad and it could have been
>>>>>>>>>>worse.
>>>>>>>>>>It
>>>>>>>>>>could have been a lot better too.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>Their original bathroom -- a sink fell off the wall once when
>>>>>>>>>>Jasmine
>>>>>>>>>>washed her hands so they had no bathroom sink; the old toilet
>>>>>>>>>>would
>>>>>>>>>>swivel left and right about 20 degrees either way if your toe
>>>>>>>>>pushed it.
>>>>>>>>>>Other parts of the old home and front porch were dangerous.
>>>>>>>>>The part of
>>>>>>>>>>the old house facing the street appeared to be two-rooms wide,
>>>>>>>>>>small
>>>>>>>>>>rooms, and I do not remember if it was two-story. They were given
>>>>>>>>>>a
>>>>>>>>>>two-story, large, modern home with all new appliances in the
>>>>>>>>>>kitchen,
>>>>>>>>>>laundry room, every other room, and etcetera.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>This is an African-American family, the Andersons of Maple
>>>>>>>>>Heights, Ohio
>>>>>>>>>>(near Cleveland). I do not know if either one has a job; both
>>>>>>>>>appear to
>>>>>>>>>>be in their early 40s. The mother, Jasmine, states she is
>>>>>>>>>>visually
>>>>>>>>>>impaired. She uses a folding cane with a fat white tip that I
>>>>>>>>>think is a
>>>>>>>>>>marshmallow tip. Husband, Andre, pronounced the French way,
>>>>>>>>>is totally
>>>>>>>>>>blind and uses a guide dog named Valentine. The show gave the dog
>>>>>>>>>>a
>>>>>>>>>>heart-shaped bed.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>Jasmine gave a tiny monologue stating she lost enough sight to be
>>>>>>>>>>visually impaired and was depressed for awhile but then she became
>>>>>>>>>>"courageous" like she is now. They never charge for their
>>>>>>>>>>[untrained]
>>>>>>>>>>counseling and encouragement of other people with disabilities.
>>>>>>>>>>They
>>>>>>>>>>give lots of speeches to educate the community how to make life
>>>>>>>>>>easier
>>>>>>>>>>for blind people and people with other disabilities.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>The couple told us they are in danger every time they cross a
>>>>>>>>>street and
>>>>>>>>>>the camera mike was held close to trucks and cars as vehicles
>>>>>>>>>zoomed by
>>>>>>>>>>on a city street. Jasmine said she was hit in the shoulder by a
>>>>>>>>>>moving
>>>>>>>>>>car one time. Ty Pennington, the shows' big-hearted hero,
>>>>>>>>>>furniture-designer and designer of his own line of linens and
>>>>>>>>>>other
>>>>>>>>>>goods for the home, excellent carpenter and TV show leader, went
>>>>>>>>>>on
>>>>>>>>>>about how dangerous it is for blind people every day when they are
>>>>>>>>>>outside the home. He got installed for the Andersons a fancy
>>>>>>>>>>talking
>>>>>>>>>>device at the single crossing nearest to their home at their bus
>>>>>>>>>>stop.
>>>>>>>>>>Jasmine told us "we're not the only blind people living here,
>>>>>>>>>you know"
>>>>>>>>>>and, she said, this will help people with other disabilities that
>>>>>>>>>>live
>>>>>>>>>>in their neighborhood too.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>The show gave her a CCTV rigged to a lady's dressing table so she
>>>>>>>>>>can
>>>>>>>>>>see to put on her make-up and not have to ask her son if she did
>>>>>>>>>>it
>>>>>>>>>>okay. She got choked up that she can see her nails now and can
>>>>>>>>>>paint
>>>>>>>>>>them as she could not see to do before, and for the first time she
>>>>>>>>>>exclaims, as we watch her look at it, she can see the
>>>>>>>>>beautiful ring her
>>>>>>>>>>husband gave her.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>In the old house, Jasmine shoved up the sleeves on her dress
>>>>>>>>>to show Ty
>>>>>>>>>>and us the many burns on her arms that she got from using her
>>>>>>>>>>conventional electric 4-burner stove and oven. The show gave her
>>>>>>>>>>"induction heating" which does not give out any heat except to a
>>>>>>>>>>metal
>>>>>>>>>>pot placed on the burner, and she got a wall oven so her oven is
>>>>>>>>>>at
>>>>>>>>>>a
>>>>>>>>>>better height for her to use. The house got a talking
>>>>>>>>>temperature gauge.
>>>>>>>>>>On the plus side, so the two wouldn't get lost, nothing odd was
>>>>>>>>>>built
>>>>>>>>>>into the kitchen or the walls and floors. Also on the plus
>>>>>>>>>side, except
>>>>>>>>>>for the induction oven, normal if fancy Sears's appliances were
>>>>>>>>>>placed
>>>>>>>>>>in the home for the kitchen and the baths.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>Both Andre and Jasmine got computers that I think had JAWS
>>>>>>>>>installed on
>>>>>>>>>>them. They got a home theatre room with one "Sound Dome" over
>>>>>>>>>both their
>>>>>>>>>>heads that directs the sound directly only to them, and lets them
>>>>>>>>>>hear
>>>>>>>>>>the SAP channel along with the show. They have two very helpful,
>>>>>>>>>>respectful sons (one may be age 12 and the other is a young
>>>>>>>>>>teenager).
>>>>>>>>>>Ty stated the older son got a vacation from verbalizing what is on
>>>>>>>>>>screen plus he got the SAP thing with words running below the
>>>>>>>>>>screen
>>>>>>>>>>when folks talked (which he needed but I missed the part that said
>>>>>>>>>>why
>>>>>>>>>>he did). The younger son is sure he wants to grow up to be an
>>>>>>>>>eye doctor
>>>>>>>>>>so he can cure blindness, beginning with his mother's visual
>>>>>>>>>impairment.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>Both Jasmine and Andre got brand new, fat-bodied, folding canes
>>>>>>>>>>that
>>>>>>>>>>have built-in sensors to inform them of obstacles by their head
>>>>>>>>>>and
>>>>>>>>>>at
>>>>>>>>>>their feet, and, said Ty, "these aren't even on the market yet."
>>>>>>>>>>Andre
>>>>>>>>>>expressed their gratitude.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>They got a huge main room that runs from a living room
>>>>>>>>>grouping through
>>>>>>>>>>an empty space of floor to a dining room grouping to a kitchen
>>>>>>>>>>with
>>>>>>>>>>no
>>>>>>>>>>barriers or changes in floor, so they do not have to worry
>>>>>>>>>anymore about
>>>>>>>>>>running into posts or walls, as they did run into in their cramped
>>>>>>>>>>original home. I noticed they are both bulky overweight
>>>>>>>>>people and the
>>>>>>>>>>original house doorways were older and appeared smallish, plus a
>>>>>>>>>>post
>>>>>>>>>>was inconveniently placed, especially for any overweight people
>>>>>>>>>>trying
>>>>>>>>>>to get past it to the bedrooms and bathroom.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>The mortgage company paid off and tore up their mortgage; the
>>>>>>>>>>local
>>>>>>>>>>branch of the state college gave them 2 college scholarships for
>>>>>>>>>>the
>>>>>>>>>>boys; Sears gave the four of them enough clothes and shoes to
>>>>>>>>>fill some
>>>>>>>>>>of their new closets; the local basketball team called The
>>>>>>>>>>Cavaliers,
>>>>>>>>>>gave the teen-aged son a closet-full of their clothes plus
>>>>>>>>>3-shelves of
>>>>>>>>>>their basketballs with its metal rack. The building company gave
>>>>>>>>>>them
>>>>>>>>>>$50,000 to a fund to handle their home maintenance.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>Braille got a "shout out" as the modern lingo has it. Ty
>>>>>>>>>added palm-size
>>>>>>>>>>wooden "dots" to their bed's headboard to spell out in grade
>>>>>>>>>one, "Love
>>>>>>>>>>is Blind." Large print got a "shout out" too, with their top
>>>>>>>>>bed quilt
>>>>>>>>>>decorated with "Love is Blind" sewn on as stuffed, raised-up
>>>>>>>>>>hand-writing.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>(For me, I keep wondering how they and other Ty Pennington-show
>>>>>>>>>>homeowners can afford their new taxes on their giant gifts of
>>>>>>>>>>money,
>>>>>>>>>>goods, and a huge new home.)
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>The Andersons were so very grateful for all they received from Ty
>>>>>>>>>>and
>>>>>>>>>>Sears Company and ABC. Tears all around.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>You can view the entire episode on the Anderson Family via
>>>>>>>>>>computer,
>>>>>>>>>>here:
>>>>>>>>>>http://abc.go.com/shows/extreme-makeover-home-edition
>>>>>>>>>>Anderson Family
>>>>>>>>>> | Full Episode
>>>>>>>>>>A visually impaired couple devoted to helping the community
>>>>>>>>>>receives
>>
>>>>>>>>>>a
>>>>>>>>>>home makeover, complete with technologies that help people with
>>>>>>>>>>disabilities;
>>>>>>>>>>EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION - "Anderson Family" - Andre and
>>>>>>>>>>Jasmine
>>>>>>>>>>Anderson have never allowed their visual impairment to slow them
>>>>>>>>>>down,
>>>>>>>>>>but rather have faced it head on, and established the Disability
>>>>>>>>>>Awareness Center in Maple Heights, Ohio, to help others who are
>>>>>>>>>>struggling with sight loss. The couple and their sons learned
>>>>>>>>>they would
>>>>>>>>>>be recipients of a home makeover while aboard the public bus that
>>>>>>>>>>they
>>>>>>>>>>ride every day. The "EM: HE" team surprised them on the bus
>>>>>>>>>and revealed
>>>>>>>>>>plans to give them a new "smart" home, equipped with technologies
>>>>>>>>>>that
>>>>>>>>>>support people with disabilities. This episode of "Extreme
>>>>>>>>>>Makeover:
>>>>>>>>>>Home Edition" airs SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the
>>>>>>>>>>ABC
>>>>>>>>>>Television Network. (ABC/MIKE CROUCH) ANDERSON FAMILY HOME -
>>>>>>>>>>AFTER -
>>>>>>>>>>BEDROOM
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>nfb-talk mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>nfb-talk mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>nfb-talk mailing list
>>>>>>>>>nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>nfb-talk mailing list
>>>>>>>>nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
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>>>>>>>
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>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
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>>>>>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>
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>>>>>
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>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>
>>>>
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>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nfb-talk mailing list
>>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfb-talk mailing list
>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfb-talk mailing list
>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfb-talk mailing list
> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfb-talk mailing list
> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>
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