[nfbmi-talk] Opinions on audible crosswalks?

[Christine Boone]

Larry, we are flattered. 

 Feel free to use any of our pensive ramblings that might prove helpful to you in making the navigable world more friendly to blind people without trampling on our freedom to enjoy the same liberty as do all Americans to negotiate the built environment!
  Boone Christine Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 24, 2013, at 9:30 AM, "Larry D. Keeler" <lkeeler at comcast.net> wrote:

> Great Doug and Christine! If fact its so good, I'd like to save this and refer to it on our Commission on Disability Issues! This group goes over peoples requests for accomodations in Ann Arbor. Although an advisory board we go over this stuff frequently and are able to urge that modifications get done! Well, the point is, that although I do see where they have some use, I don't find them as necessary as the training of folks to handle various intersections.
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Christine Boone" <christineboone2 at gmail.com>
> To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, August 23, 2013 11:26 PM
> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Opinions on audible crosswalks?
> 
> 
>> This message is from Doug Boone with some additions from me:
>> 
>> For starters we must ask ourselves: How do you define a complex intersection? Doug and I have both worked with folks who have received blindness skill training that they believe is excellent-- most people really love their travel teacher, because no matter how far he or she has taken them toward independent travel, they enjoy more freedom after training than they did before:
>> 
>> Some of these good folks have come to us requesting assistance with intersections that they define as extremely complex-- and we have discovered that in many cases the intersections are actually simple to moderate crossings.
>> 
>> That said however, both of us have encountered some truly odd intersections that would benefit from accessible pedestrian signals.  This is often the case when there is an excessive amount of ambient noise in the surrounding environment, or when the intersection has 3 or more streets converging- especially when 1 or more of the streets have only intermittent traffic. When traffic is heavy and consistent, even really complex, multi-street intersections can be successfully navegated without accessible pedestrian signals.
>> 
>> But no matter how we define a complex intersection, and no matter how well an individual has trained in blindness travel skills, the accessible pedestrian signal gives only one part of the equation: when the light changes from green to red, and whether the walk sign is lighted.  The signal does not give any indication of what traffic is doing, and whether or not drivers are obeying the law. Indeed audible pedestrian signals can create a sense of complacency that lowers the blind persons attention level so that they are less aware of traffic itself.
>> 
>> One positive thing that has happened in recent years is that the noise produced by the signals themselves has been considerably reduced. The older louder signals actually created a hazard because they were noisy enough to mask the sound of traffic almost entirely.
>> 
>> So those are our thoughts. It will be good for J.J. to meet with the MDOT people and to discuss these things...but the ultimate fix is a quality rehabilitation agency that offers consistent, superior training to its customers and can consult effectively with MDOT on when and where accessible signals should be installed.  An agency that is run and managed by individuals who are not acquainted with the practices and/or the profession of vocational rehabilitation will not have the ability to provide anything in the way of meaningful partnership or consultation on matters concerning individuals who are blind.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Boone Christine Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>> On Aug 23, 2013, at 11:33 AM, "J.J. Meddaugh" <jj at bestmidi.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> Through talking to some people on Twitter, I've got a meeting set up with some MDOT people about accessible pedestrian signals. Their policy is that they'll install one if blind pedestrians regularly use that intersection.
>>> I'm going to talk about the need for audible signals at complex intersections where traffic patterns aren't easily discernable but was curious as to your opinions on the matter. I know NFB has shifted opinion over time on the issue.
>>> Just to clarify, I'm not claiming to represent NFB of Michigan for this meeting,.
>>> Thanks much.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -- 
>>> Best regards,
>>> J.J.
>>> 
>>> 
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