[Quietcars] NFB article you should read.

Thu Jul 22 02:30:55 UTC 2010

I agree, I am from a town that has about 60 people in it, so there will 
never be a bus system there, I lived outside of town, about a mile from the 
paved highway, I would love to move back home, but I can't drive, plus I 
can't see the snakes anymore.
I don't know about this kind of technolagy, but we'll see.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mary Ellen" <gabias at telus.net>
To: "'Discussion of new quiet cars and pedestrian safety'" 
<quietcars at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 6:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Quietcars] NFB article you should read.


>I can't say that I've always yearned to drive a car. Perhaps that's more a
> guy thing.
> In the beginning, I wasn't sure whether creating a car blind people could
> drive would be possible. Even if possible, I wasn't sure it would be worth
> the effort required.
> I've changed my mind since then. I believe the spin off technology from 
> this
> project will lead to some very useful developments for blind people and 
> for
> car safety as a whole. Some of those developments may lead to a genuinely
> practical mobility aid to supplement the cane or guide dog. Only time will
> tell.
> Besides, some communities are so small that public transportation will 
> never
> be a viable option. As long as the car is king, and I genuinely wish it
> weren't, getting around will be a challenge for people who don't drive. If
> the technology can be produced at a price affordable for individuals, and 
> if
> laws can be changed to permit blind people to drive on public roads using
> it, driving independently will help remove lack of transportation as one 
> of
> the barriers we face.
> A friend of mine was born with totally nonfunctional arms. An engineer
> retrofitted a car with technology that allowed her to drive using her feet
> to steer. She was willing to pay several thousand dollars to get the
> technology installed because it gave her much more flexibility in getting
> where she wanted to go. I'd like more flexibility myself. We currently pay
> portions of the cost of cars and insurance for two of our children. 
> They're
> very willing to drive for us, but they are not, and should not be, our
> personal chauffeur service. They have their own work, school, and social
> schedules. Even with two cars in the family, I frequently walk, take the
> bus, taxis, or call a friend for a ride. No complaints, I get where I need
> to go and am grateful for the many options I do have, but I would love to
> have the same ability to go somewhere efficiently on the spur of the 
> moment
> as my friends and neighbors have.
> If the ultimate cost of such technology could be brought within range, I
> believe it would help a significant number of blind people.
> Then there's the question of whether the car ought to be king. On that 
> one,
> I agree with those who say public transit is a better idea for the society
> as a whole. But, when it comes to the car lovers, I'd rather beat them, 
> but
> I think our best practical option is to join them.
> Thanks for posting that interesting article and for the good points you 
> all
> raised. agree this is somewhat off topic, so I apologize for continuing 
> the
> conversation thread.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
> On
> Behalf Of Brett Boyer
> Sent: July 15, 2010 10:24 PM
> To: Discussion of new quiet cars and pedestrian safety
> Subject: Re: [Quietcars] NFB article you should read.
>
>
> Hi. This is a great message Mike. I don't say much on here because I tend 
> to
>
> get myself in to trouble. But... You hit on a lot of the issues. And I 
> agree
>
> with you and Chuck.
> thanks
> bb
> Brett Boyer
> Production / Program Director
> KZBR 97.1 FM
> Alamosa Colorado
> www.kzbr971.com
> Morning show. Comedy Block. Rockin Hits 24 / 7
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "michael townsend" <mrtownsend at optonline.net>
> To: "'Discussion of new quiet cars and pedestrian safety'"
> <quietcars at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, July 09, 2010 1:50 PM
> Subject: Re: [Quietcars] NFB article you should read.
>
>
>> Chuck, I don't mean to belittle any of the legislative efforts that
>> have been put forth by our house and senate, nor to demean those who
>> have worked tirelessly on crafting the hybrid legislation that is now
>> before the representative for whom we voted, however, straying away
>> from a mission on projects that will ultimately benefit a few peole
>> and probably never become
>> reality for all but a minute few seems pretty wasteful in time and money,
>> as
>> you've indicated.
>>
>> When the employment rate is about 30 percent of blind people, and the
>> transit systems, home and business designs, accessibility in the
>> workplace, on the streets and in theaters and on television haven't
>> been improved significantly, this does seem a bit far fetched.
>>
>> While interesting, it's not a really mind blowing event that would
>> allow
>> me
>> to stand up and cheer.  Having said that, however, I love cars, and have
>> been around them since I was a kid.,  Driving a Ford Escape four cylinder
>> automatic really doesn't send me, if you know what I mean.
>>
>> I am sure that students worked hard on this, and the accomplishment
>> deserves
>> applause and recognition.  But, I don't think that people who drive while
>> blind, or DWB, are going to be a great percent of our nation's driving
>> populous.
>>
>> I'll say no more on the project, as I've exhausted my thoughts.
>>
>> Thanks for writing in, chuck, and whether we agreed or not, this is a
>> great
>> discussion; unfortunately, not for this list, although the sponsor of the
>> effort is your organization.
>>
>> ?this is why I thought that it was okay to post here.
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> [mailto:quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>> On
>> Behalf Of ckrugman at sbcglobal.net
>> Sent: Friday, July 09, 2010 2:32 PM
>> To: Discussion of new quiet cars and pedestrian safety
>> Subject: Re: [Quietcars] NFB article you should read.
>>
>> I have to agree with you completely. Having been blind since birth I
>> think that much more emphasis could be spent on improving public
>> transit and working toward such things as personal rapid transit which
>> is being experimented with in Europe and other places. I can only
>> wonder how much money is spent on this activity that could be spent
>> more effectively with greater results. Chuck
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "michael townsend" <mrtownsend at optonline.net>
>> To: <quietcars at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Friday, July 09, 2010 7:32 AM
>> Subject: [Quietcars] NFB article you should read.
>>
>>
>>>I am a car nut and have loved cars since I was a young child.  I
>>>listen to  car radio and television shows, read all I can on the net
>>>and ride in and  work on as many cars as possible, but here are my
>>>thoughts about the below  article which I have posted.  This is a
>>>great idea, however, it will  benefit  few in the long run.
>>>
>>> Mike T in NJ
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Rather than concentrating efforts on ludicrous things like driving a
>>> car, which is a one person accomplish or an accomplish which will see
>>> fw doing it, concentrate on training that will allow blind persons to
>>> function in regular atmospheres, like corporations, or to allow one
>>> to be self-employed to then lower the 70 percent jobless rate of the
>>> blind or sight impaired.
>>>
>>> My thoughts, solely.
>>> Below is an article that a TSE handler posted to another list. What
>>> do you think.
>>>
>>> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>>> CONTACT:
>>> Chris Danielsen
>>> Director of Public Relations
>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>> (410) 659-9314
>>> , extension 2330
>>> (410) 262-1281
>>> (Cell)
>>> cdanielsen at nfb.org <mailto:cdanielsen%40nfb.org>
>>> <mailto:cdanielsen%40nfb.org> National Federation of the Blind to
>>> Debut Car That Can Be Driven Independently by the Blind at Rolex 24
>>> NFB, Virginia Tech, and Grand-Am Form Historic Partnership to Advance
>>> Innovative Technology Daytona Beach, Florida (July 2, 2010): The
>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>> (NFB)
>>> and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, College of
>>> Engineering (Virginia
>>> Tech) announced today that they have partnered to demonstrate the
>>> first street vehicle equipped with technology allowing a blind person
>>> to drive independently. The vehicle
>>> is scheduled to be demonstrated to the public as part of the pre-race
>>> activities at the 2011 Rolex 24 At Daytona. The Ford Escape, equipped
>>> with nonvisual interface technology, will be driven by a blind
>>> individual who will navigate part of the famed Daytona International
>>> Speedway course on January 29, 2011.
>>> Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, 
>>> said:
>>> "The National
>>> Federation of the Blind is dedicated to the development of innovative
>>> technology to improve the lives of blind Americans, and Virginia Tech
>>> has accepted our challenge to apply nonvisual interfaces to the task
>>> of driving, which has always been wrongly considered impossible for
>>> blind people. But we are not trying to build a technology alone. We
>>> are trying to build a technology that can be combined with an
>>> intellect to do things that neither could do alone. We are pleased to
>>> have the opportunity to demonstrate the fruits of our efforts before
>>> the automobile enthusiasts and racing fans at the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
>>> This demonstration will break down the wall of stereotypes and
>>> misconceptions that prevent our full integration into society by
>>> showing the public that the blind have the same capacities as everyone
>>> else.
>>> Our
>>> only challenge is access to the information we need."
>>> Dr. Dennis Hong, Director of the Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory at
>>> Virginia Tech,
>>> said: "Three years ago we accepted the NFB Blind Driver Challenge to
>>> develop a vehicle that can be driven by a blind person. The challenge
>>> was not the development of an autonomous vehicle that could drive a
>>> blind person around, but rather the creation of nonvisual interfaces
>>> that would allow a blind person to actually make driving decisions.
>>> The first-generation prototype was demonstrated with a modified dune
>>> buggy at the NFB Youth Slam in the summer of 2009. We are pleased to
>>> work with NFB and Grand-Am to demonstrate the second-generation
>>> prototype at the Rolex 24 festivities."
>>> "GRAND-AM is honored to lend its support to this intriguing-and
>>> inspirational-project,"
>>> said GRAND-AM Spokesman Herb Branham. "The Rolex 24 At Daytona is a
>>> showcase for the latest automobile technology, making this race an
>>> appropriate backdrop for the first public demonstration of a car that
>>> can be driven by the blind."
>>> The NFB Jernigan Institute-the only research and training facility on
>>> blindness operated by the blind-has challenged universities,
>>> technology developers, and other interested innovators to establish
>>> NFB Blind Driver Challenge (BDC) teams, in collaboration with the NFB,
>>> to build interface technologies that will empower blind people to drive 
>>> a
>> car independently.
>>> The purpose of the NFB Blind Driver Challenge is to stimulate the
>>> development of nonvisual interface technology. Undergraduate students
>>> at Virginia Tech's College of Engineering, under the direction of
>>> Professor Dennis Hong, have been actively working with the NFB on the
>> challenge.
>>> During the summer of
>>> 2009 the
>>> Virginia Tech BDC team worked with blind students in the NFB Youth
>>> Slam on the first-generation prototype of a blind-drivable vehicle,
>>> and many of the NFB students had the opportunity to drive using the
>>> first generation of the nonvisual interface. Dr. Hong and his
>>> students are currently working with the NFB on the second-generation
>>> prototype vehicle, which will integrate new and improved versions of
>>> the first-generation nonvisual interface technologies into a Ford
>>> Escape. For more information about the NFB, please visit www.nfb.org
>>> . For our digital news release about the Blind Driver Challenge and
>>> the planned debut of the BDC car at the Rolex 24, including audio and
>>> video clips for television and radio, please visit
>>> www.DigitalNewsRelease.com/?q=NFB_CarKit
>>> .
>>> ###
>>> About the National Federation of the Blind With more than 50,000
>>> members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most
>>> influential membership organization of blind people in the United
>>> States. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy,
>>> education, research, technology, and programs encouraging
>>> independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the
>>> blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January
>>> 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan
>>> Institute, the first research and training center in the United
>>> States for the blind led by the blind. C2010 All Rights Reserved -
>>> Copyright 2010 NFB Site Powered by xCatalyst
>>>
>>> "I am accustomed to hearing malicious falsehoods about myself...but I
>>> think I have a right to resent, to object to, libelous statements
>>> about my dog." -Franklin D. Roosevelt
>>> Mike Townsend and Seeing Eye dog Brent Dunellen, New Jersey 08812
>>> emails: mrtownsend at optonline.net <mailto:mrtownsend%40optonline.net>
>>> <mailto:mrtownsend%40optonline.net> ; michael.townsend54 at gmail.com
>>> <mailto:michael.townsend54%40gmail.com>
>>> <mailto:michael.townsend54%40gmail.com>
>>> Home Phone: 732 200-5643
>>> Cellular: 732 718-9480
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Quietcars mailing list
>>> Quietcars at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/quietcars_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> Quietcars:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/quietcars_nfbnet.org/ckrugman%4
>>> 0
>>> sbcglobal.net
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Quietcars mailing list
>> Quietcars at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/quietcars_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Quietcars:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/quietcars_nfbnet.org/mrtownsend%
>> 40opto
>> nline.net
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Quietcars mailing list
>> Quietcars at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/quietcars_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Quietcars:
>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/quietcars_nfbnet.org/bboyer202%40gmail
> .com
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Quietcars mailing list
> Quietcars at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/quietcars_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Quietcars:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/quietcars_nfbnet.org/gabias%40telus.ne
> t
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Quietcars mailing list
> Quietcars at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/quietcars_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> Quietcars:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/quietcars_nfbnet.org/dewey.bradley%40att.net