[nfbwatlk] From the Archives: FW: A Job Well Done!

[Mike Freeman]

-----Original Message-----
From: sysop at NFBnet.org [mailto:sysop at NFBnet.org] On Behalf Of catly.meow
Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 9:13 AM
To: Multiple recipients of NFBnet nfb of washington talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: A Job Well Done!




The reward for a thing well done is to have done it.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson
Hi,
My participation in Tuesday's event was different for me.

The last time I was in a demonstration, on the national level, was either
the FAA picket in DC, or the Minneapolis Society for the blind
demonstration.  At those times, I was still able to walk the whole thing,
problematic feet only beginning to be less cooperative.  Though it was
physically hard on me, I could do it.

On Monday, I became so anxious about whether or not I'd be able to function
at a level I could accept that I could hardly handle GI-tract pangs.  After
all I've been through for quite a number of years, as nonacceptance of being
multidisabled-blind, I feared that I might be cajoled, ridiculed, told "why
can't you be like..." and other remarks to where I might just hide out
somewhere and feel like I should never have gone.

I want to say that I was up and out there at the very beginning of our
demonstration, morning person that I am not!  When Denise Mackenstadt pulled
me out, I didn't feel like, oops, I blew it; I just decided to do something
else.

I attended some of the hearing which went much more positively than I had
expected since the Access Board members did not appear to be at all hostile
toward us, but complimented our NFB speakers on more than one occasion for
conciseness and enlightenment.  This does not mean they will respond as we
might like, but we do know that they listened.

Not wanting to be a failure at the demonstration process, and being buoyed
by my husband who had noticed an immovable bench in the center of our
elipsis, (something almost miraculous for ones like me)I was able to
participate as a chanter!  I had found my place and was not openly ridiculed
in taking it and doing what I could in the way I could.

I want Federationists to know how much I appreciate being able to blend in,
in my own way, rather than sticking out like a sore thumb, (or Jim's sore
hand) unsuccessfully trying over and over again to do it like so-and-so did.

I also want to mention how important it is, historically, that we were an
intergenerational group, from at least one baby to some older than me!  We
had veteran Federationists and newbies alike, functioning harmoniously, and
with joy.  I'm so glad I went and just did it anyway, past my fears.
Lauren Merryfield
By the way, now you can access ALL of your favorite music LEGALLY from the
Internet right from your computer for less than the average cost of ONE CD
per month.  Stroll on over to:
http://www.myjanglefish.com/nowlisten
Lauren
Join CATLINES, for cat-lovers and "biz-kittens" at:
http://www.catliness.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Freeman" <mikef at pacifier.com>
To: "Multiple recipients of NFBnet nfb of washington talk Mailing List"
<nfbwatlk at NFBnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002 9:51 PM
Subject: A Job Well Done!


>
>
> Tuesday, October 8, 2002 was a red-letter day for the National
> Federation of the Blind.  In excess of one hundred stalwart
> Federationists from around the country gathered at the downtown Hilton
> Hotel where the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance
> Board (known as the "Access Board") was holding a hearing on the
> proposed guidelines for accessible public rights-of-way  to make it
> known that the largest organization of the blind in the country strongly
> opposes audible pedestrian signals at every intersection and detectable
> warnings everywhere as mandated by these guidelines.  Federationists
> came from as far away as Florida and Hawaii.  While Federationists and
> others cogently argued against these devices in the Access Board
> hearing, Federationists outside the hotel demonstrated, talked to
> Portland citizens and handed out flyers outlining the case against these
> devices.  Some Federationists spent the morning crossing and re-crossing
> streets to show the public that the blind don't need audible pedestrian
> signals to travel safely and with ease.
>
> The festivities began the evening before with a dinner and strategy
> session for Federationists, ably conducted by Carla McQuillan, President
> of the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon and James McCarthy,
> Assistant Director of Governmental Affairs for the National Federation
> of the Blind.  Everyone left the session with a sense of excitement,
> anticipation and dedication to the cause.
>
> Those who were to testify at the Access Board hearing left the Days Inn
> at 7:30 a.m. sharp the next morning.  The rest of us left the Days Inn
> around eight o'clock and walked en masse the few blocks to the Hilton.
> We didn't need audible pedestrian signals nor did we need detectable
> warnings to walk the streets with safety and grace.
>
> On the demonstration line, Federationists marched around an imaginary
> ellipse in the sidewalk, leaving room for passers-by to pass without
> hindrance.  This impressed many.  Our decorum was exemplary.
> Federationists chanted lustily, some crossing Sixth Avenue so that
> chanting with antiphonal responses could be set up.  Such chants as:
> "Got our canes; got our minds.  We don't need those beeping signs!",
> "Chirp, chirp, beep, beep!  We know how to cross the street!" and
> "light's green; cars go!  We know how to read the traffic flow!" echoed
> around the area.  Many of us wore signs conveying the message that
> blanket installation of audible pedestrian signals was not only a bad
> idea but could be dangerous to the blind.
>
> There was considerable press coverage.  Reporters for the Oregonian and
> the Portland Tribune talked to many participants and photographers for
> both papers took pictures.  Reporters for Channel 2 and Channel 6
> television news also covered the event and conducted interviews.  All
> who were interviewed spoke articulately and clearly made the case
> against audible pedestrian signals and detectable warnings being
> mandated everywhere.  Passers-by with whom we spoke were initially
> puzzled by our stand, figuring that such signals and warnings would be
> beneficial.  When we explained the matter, however, they universally
> told us that what we said made sense and promised to help defeat
> universal installation of them.
>
> In the hearing, meanwhile, Federationists were competently making the
> case that blanket installation of audible traffic signals and detectable
> warnings was not needed and could prove dangerous to the blind.  James
> McCarthy testified, of course.  So did Arlene Hill and Ruby Ryles, both
> Federationists and mobility instructors; they provided a "professional"
> perspective on the inappropriateness of accessible pedestrian signals
> and detectable warnings everywhere.  I was not present but I understand
> that Joanne Laurent of the Department of Services for the Blind also
> testified.  Such Federationists as Dan Frye and Steve Hastalis also gave
> testimony.  In particular, Mr. Hastalis apprised the Access Board of how
> confusing the multiplicity of "locator tones" for each accessible
> pedestrian signals would be.
>
> Federationists were not the only persons testifying against the proposed
> guidelines.  Attorneys and others dealing with urban planning and
> traffic engineering felt that the guidelines were too inflexible and
> would prove extremely expensive and difficult to implement.
>
> There were those who opposed the Federation, advocating instead that the
> guidelines be implemented as proposed.  A contingent from the Washington
> Council of the Blind showed up at the hearing on Tuesday morning.  The
> Council contingent made no attempt to convince the downtown public
> outside and left before the afternoon session of the hearing.  Most
> people outside did not know they were even present.  It was the National
> Federation of the Blind which forcefully made its case known to the
> public.
>
> When the day was over, Federationists departed for their homes tired and
> happy, vowing to write to the Access Board to make certain that the
> views of the organized blind, both collectively and as individuals, were
> heard and heeded.
>
> Confirmation of the effectiveness of Federation efforts came in a most
> unexpected manner.  I am reliably informed that a member of WCB spoke to
> the manager of the Hilton hotel, attempting to persuade him to prohibit
> the Federation from demonstrating outside.  The manager refused.  The
> WCB member continued to press his case, becoming increasingly agitated
> and, I understand, somewhat vituperative.  The hotel manager finally had
> enough and told the member to "get lost!"  The WCB member left without
> accomplishing anything except to alienate the manager, whereupon the
> manager shook hands with some of us Federationists, saying that we are
> absolutely right and to stick to our guns.  We will.
>
> Mike Freeman
>
>
> --
> This mailing list is sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind,
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--
This mailing list is sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind, NFB.
To view or search an archive of messages for this list, go to:
http://www.nfbnet.org
For more information about the NFB, please call (410) 659-9314, point your
internet browser to http://www.nfb.org or Telnet to nfbnet.org.