[Nfbc-info] bus stop announcements

Mon Apr 18 15:08:15 UTC 2016

 Certainly the need for  collective action is needed if enough people find that they have the same problem.
  There are parts of the transportation system where I live that do not have automated stop announcements. There are other times where stop announcements are turned off or not enabled for a particular trip, and  sometimes the inevitable skipped stop or long light does make for some  difficult trips.  At the same time, I have noticed that even on buses where  automated announcements are made, there is no promise that construction is accounted for.
          .
  I think that  there are two things that can both help situations like these.  The first is what Alison and Lisa mentioned, it is most certainly a good thing to work on  opening up a dialog with these transit agencies to see that our concerns are brought to their attention, heard and ultimately acted upon.
 The second thing  is arming ourselves with alternative techniques that help us function within the current environment.  So I am not saying that the concerns that have been voiced are unimportant, far from it.  I guess I  am just suggesting that work arounds , while not  perfect can still  be good solutions in the   interim and some combination of them may work in most situations  while a permanent solution is worked on for the larger problem.  .   .        .  .   
> On Apr 18, 2016, at 7:18 AM, Allison Depner via Nfbc-info <nfbc-info at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Lisa,
> 
> I agree with you.  I have no problem with using all the tools  available to  take more control of my life.  However, I don't think we are asking for anything unreasonable 
> When we ask drivers to provide us with the same information readily available to other passangers.  
> 
> I also understand that we need to be alert, keep track of time and pay attention to the feel of the bus.  I don't know how it is elsewhere but here in San diego, the length of time it takes some buses to get down the street can vary drasticly. The whole thing is frustrating and can sometimes make me feel a bit helpless. I would like to see our affiliate support our efforts to improve our transportation and travel experiences so we can live the lives we want with a little less anxt.
> 
> Alley
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nfbc-info [mailto:nfbc-info-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbc-info-bounces at nfbnet.org>] On Behalf Of Lisa Irving via Nfbc-info
> Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2016 9:21 PM
> To: 'NFB of California List'
> Cc: Lisa Irving
> Subject: Re: [Nfbc-info] bus stop announcements
> 
> I'm struggling with some of this. It's not unreasonable to expect to have equal access when riding the bus.  I really would like to see this affiliate join hands with Disability Rights Advocates to ensure  that cities currently using or planning to use automated announcements program in all stops; not just the ADA call-out points. Let's think about this. How might sighted folks respond if we went around and removed every fifth street sign. That's basically what we're expected to digest. 
> 
> I can pay attention to my watch. I also know there's some variables; traffic flow; construction; not stopping at a stop because no one is there and the list goes on. I'm back to my point. Let's work to ensure our right to ride the bus, without unnecessary dependency on transit operators or benevolent passengers. Just something to ponder. 
> 
> Lisa 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nfbc-info [mailto:nfbc-info-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Frida Aizenman via Nfbc-info
> Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2016 8:05 PM
> To: NFB of California List <nfbc-info at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Frida Aizenman <nfbfrida at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Nfbc-info] bus stop announcements
> 
> Also checking the time on your watch if you know approximately how long it takes. Then, you can remind the driver.
> Frida
> On 4/17/2016 7:28 PM, Darian Smith via Nfbc-info wrote:
>> Lisa,
>> 
>>   This is a great topic you bring up, and I thank you for  doing so.
>> 
>> 
>>  In my experience  I have encountered all of what you have mentioned. Sometimes I have to sit near the front of  the bus and ask the driver   every so often what stop is coming up, sometimes I ask a fellow passenger  that  I might be seated next to, sometimes I use a landmark  such as a turn the bus makes or a hill the bus goes down, and   other times I might use an app such as  blind square that tells me  streets I’m crossing.
>> 
>>  I obviously can’t speak to the  resolution and the progress that may have been made on it, but I can suggest tools that I might use to work within the current system such as the ones just mentioned.
>>  Maybe others might have a few different thoughts and ideas? I hope that helps.
>> 
>>  Darian
>>     .
>> 
>>  On Apr 17, 2016, at 6:14 PM, Lisa Irving via Nfbc-info <nfbc-info at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hello,
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Perhaps some of you have had an experience, or multiple experiences, 
>>> where you have requested that the bus driver call out a particular 
>>> stop and either the announcement wasn't discernable or the transit 
>>> operator forgot. If you live in a major city them maybe some or all 
>>> of the bus stop announcements are automated. In San Diego we have a 
>>> combination of some automated announcements; ADA stops, and some 
>>> stops called out by bus drivers when requested. Maybe you count 
>>> stops. This works if the bus stops at all of the stops. Maybe you ask 
>>> a passenger. This works if that person shares a common language with 
>>> you. Maybe, most of the time, it's no big deal if you're let off at 
>>> the stop before or after your stop. However, all of these variables can be problematic at one time or another.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> When 27 years of group advocacy; letter writing; participating in 
>>> public meetings and meeting with administration hasn't resolved the 
>>> issue then what's left? I wrote a resolution which was passed by the 
>>> California affiliate, however, it appears as though it has not been 
>>> acted upon. I really don't know what else to do. I'd appreciate your 
>>> thoughts. I'd also appreciate it if we as an affiliate could address 
>>> this issue that likely occurs up and down the state. Your thoughts???
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> From,
>>> 
>>> Lisa Irving
>>> 
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>> 
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