[nfbmi-talk] Opinions on audible crosswalks?

Wed Sep 4 17:19:46 UTC 2013

Hi, surprise,  I don't have your e mail address.  If this gets to you, why
don't wecommunicate by e mail?  Hope yu get this, Karen and Raelyn.

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Christine Boone
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2013 1:05 PM
To: Marcus Simmons; NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
Cc: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Opinions on audible crosswalks?

Marcus, travel is most certainly a greater challenge for a person who is
deaf-blind. It is possible to use discovery learning to benefit the
deaf-blind traveler considerably. Crossings are of course the greatest
challenge after a person has mastered a very consistent cane arc! Many think
that audible signals are the answer for a deaf-blind traveler but I am not
convinced. I think they can be helpful, especially if we could have signals
that interacted with a receiver that each blind person carried. That way you
could use your receiver to activate the signal if you needed it, and your
receiver could vibrate for access for people who are deaf-blind.  At the
same time, those who did not want to use the signal could make that choice
by simply not activating their receiver.  I have discussed this with some
traffic engineers but they have indicated that it is not possible yet...I
say it should be, given the level of technology that we have achieved in our
society.  

Boone Christine Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 24, 2013, at 6:13 AM, "Marcus Simmons" <president at map-n.org> wrote:

> This thread has been very educational. My challenge is that I am
deaf/blind, is there any recourses for me?
> 
> ----- 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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> 
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