[nfbmi-talk] Opinions on audible crosswalks?

Marcus Simmons president at map-n.org
Wed Sep 4 17:45:38 UTC 2013


Hi,

My email address is:
president at map-n.org
Talk to me anytime.

Cordially,
Marcus
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Karen" <karenevanslynn at gmail.com>
To: "'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2013 1:19 PM
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Opinions on audible crosswalks?


>
> 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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