From mhartle at nfb.org Tue Sep 1 15:21:32 2009 From: mhartle at nfb.org (Thorpe, Mary Jo) Date: Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:21:32 -0500 Subject: [Sd-talk] Big Announcement!! about Braille Readers are Leaders Contest Message-ID: HI Federationists and Friends, We are pleased to announce that this fall there will be some new additions to the NFB's wonderful Braille Readers are Leaders program. For starters, we are going to be expanding the program to include some new categories. New categories will include competitions for : **Teens--beginner, intermediate, and advanced readers **Adults--beginner, intermediate, and advanced readers And so much more! Don't worry though. We're still keeping the original Braille Readers are Leaders that we all know and love. But, we will be adding some new components to that as well. The program is slated to kick off in November with these new additions, so start brushing up on your contractions and warming up those fingers! Please stay tuned for more details as they develop. If you have ideas or suggestions for Braille Readers are Leaders, or any other Braille programs, please let me know. You can contact me at the National Center, or email me at Mhartle at nfb.org or Mthorpe at nfb.org. Thanks. Sincerely, Mary Jo T. Hartle Mary Jo Thorpe-Hartle, MEd, NOMC Director of Education Jernigan Institute NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND 1800 Johnson St. Baltimore, MD 21230 Phone: (410)659-9314 ext. 2407 Email: MTHORPE at nfb.org Fax: (410) 659-5129 Visit www.nfb.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From JFreeh at nfb.org Thu Sep 10 23:07:21 2009 From: JFreeh at nfb.org (Freeh, Jessica) Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:07:21 -0500 Subject: [Sd-talk] National Federation of the Blind Endorses Google Books Settlement Before Congress Message-ID: 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 National Federation of the Blind Endorses Google Books Settlement Before Congress Urges Justice Department to Support Settlement Washington, DC (September 10, 2009): The National Federation of the Blind, the nation's oldest and largest organization of blind people and the leading advocate for access by the blind to digital information, testified before the House Judiciary Committee today that the proposed settlement between Google and authors and publishers regarding the Google Books project should be approved. The Google Books settlement will make millions of titles available to the blind and other Americans with print disabilities, providing more access to the printed word than the blind have had in all of human history. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, told the House Judiciary Committee: "The Google settlement is, for the blind and many others, the next step in the democratization of knowledge. That process began with the introduction of the printing press and then, for the blind, with the invention of Braille. Now technology is available that transcends the traditional limitations of both print and Braille, promising to make millions of titles available to the blind in Braille or any other format of our choice. The narrow business interests of Google's competitors must not be allowed to block Americans who cannot read print from all of the opportunities that greater access to written knowledge will make available to them. It is time for the doors of the world's great libraries to be opened and welcome to everyone." The National Federation of the Blind also urged the United States Department of Justice, which is reviewing the terms of the settlement, to support the agreement. "The Google Books settlement is a major step forward in advancing the civil rights of blind Americans and others who cannot read print because it substantially increases our opportunities for education and employment," President Maurer said. "The Justice Department, which is tasked with protecting the civil rights of all Americans, should respect the agreement of the parties to the settlement and allow its access provisions to be fully implemented. In doing so, the government will send a strong message that it values the participation of the blind in society and believes that we should have access to all of the information to which our sighted friends and colleagues have access." ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From JFreeh at nfb.org Mon Sep 14 16:29:57 2009 From: JFreeh at nfb.org (Freeh, Jessica) Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:29:57 -0500 Subject: [Sd-talk] National Federation of the Blind and Motorola to Cooperate on Making Cell Phones Accessible to the Blind Message-ID: 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 Jennifer Erickson Motorola, Inc. (847) 435-5320 Jennifer.erickson at motorola.com National Federation of the Blind and Motorola to Cooperate on Making Cell Phones Accessible to the Blind Baltimore, Maryland and Libertyville, Illinois (September 14, 2009): The National Federation of the Blind, the nation's oldest and largest organization of blind people and the leading advocate for making mainstream devices accessible to the blind, and Motorola Inc., a leading manufacturer of cell phones and other mobile communications devices, announced today that they have entered into a cooperation agreement to promote technologies that improve the accessibility of cell phones to blind consumers. Certain future Motorola cell phones will provide verbal readouts of information such as the time and date, battery level, signal strength, user's phone number, caller ID information for incoming calls, missed and received calls, and voice mail alerts. Blind users will also be able to take advantage of verbal readouts and voice-command features for ring tone status, inputting and accessing contacts, and various other settings. Motorola expects these cell phones to be available in 2010. The parties have also agreed to work together to make additional phones and features accessible to blind users. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "In an age where productivity and success increasingly depend on access to mobile technology such as cellular telephones, it is critical that blind Americans have equal access to today's cell phones through user interfaces that do not require vision. The National Federation of the Blind appreciates Motorola's commitment to making the features of its cell phone products accessible to blind users without the need for third-party software, and we look forward to working together with Motorola to make future improvements to the accessibility of telecommunication technology." ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From RWest at nfb.org Fri Sep 18 15:16:22 2009 From: RWest at nfb.org (West, Renee) Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:16:22 -0500 Subject: [Sd-talk] =?iso-8859-1?q?NFB-NEWSLINE=AE_Is_Pleased_to_Announce_t?= =?iso-8859-1?q?he__Addition_of_Science_News_magazine?= Message-ID: NFB-NEWSLINE® has recently added Science News magazine to its roster of over 300 publications. Published since 1922, this award-winning biweekly news magazine is written for science professionals and others interested in science, medicine, technology and physics. Content provides new development updates and discusses their scientific and real-life applications. Articles cover the environment, nutrition, agronomy, chemistry, research, development policy, mathematics, computers, behavioral sciences, astronomy, biology, materials science, biomedicine, life sciences, physics and technology. In print, the magazine reaches nearly 130,000 subscribers and more than one million readers. *** With a wide variety of publications available for free at any time day or night, to anyone who cannot read the printed word, NFB-NEWSLINE® is the ready and reliable source for information on hometown and global events and breaking news stories. Subscribers can access NFB-NEWSLINE® ‘s roster of publications as well as TV listings via any touch-tone phone, over a secure, text-only Web site, or by speedy download to a digital talking-book player. For more information about, or to sign up for, NFB-NEWSLINE®, please visit www.nfbnewsline.org. To read Science News and over 300 other publications online or on your digital talking-book player, please visit www.nfbnewslineonline.org today! Renee West Manager, Marketing and Outreach Sponsored Technology Programs NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND 200 East Wells Street Baltimore MD 21230 Phone: (410) 659-9314 ext. 2411 Fax: (410) 659-5129 Websites: www.nfb.org; www.nfbnewsline.org; www.nfbnewslineonline.org There is a Braille literacy crisis in America. You can be part of the solution. Buy the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar now! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From info at michaelhingson.com Tue Sep 22 03:08:48 2009 From: info at michaelhingson.com (Michael Hingson) Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:08:48 -0500 Subject: [Sd-talk] On-line Demonstrations of KNFB Reader Mobile Software and Nokia N86 Message-ID: The National Federation of the Blind and The Michael Hingson Group will hold online demonstrations and discussions of the KnfbReader Mobile this Friday afternoon, September 25, 2009, and Saturday, September 26, 2009. The purpose of these meetings is to showcase the KnfbReader Mobile using the new Nokia N86 platform. "We are excited about the possibilities afforded by the Nokia N86 and its ability to support the KnfbReader Mobile in the future", states Michael Hingson president of The Michael Hingson Group. During these online sessions we will discuss the features of the KnfbReader Mobile as well as pricing and availability with the Nokia N86. The N86 has many new and interesting features not available on earlier platforms supported by the KnfbReader Mobile. These sessions will be of interest both to existing users as well as those who are interested in purchasing a Reader in the future. After opening presentations Michael Hingson will take questions on all aspects of the reader. Those who received this announcement are invited to encourage their friends and colleagues to join the session so that as many as possible can learn about this amazing device which is changing the lives of many blind people throughout the world. If you have questions or want to learn more about decay NFB reader mobile please contact: Michael Hingson Email: info at michaelhingson.com (415) 827-4084 Date: Friday September 25, 2009. Time: 2:00 P.M. Pacific, 3:00 P.M. Mountain, 4:00 P.M. Central, 5:00 P.M. Eastern, and elsewhere in the world 21:00 GMT Friday September 25. Date: Saturday September 26, 2009. Time: 10:00 A.M. Pacific, 11:00 A.M. Mountain, 12:00 P.M. Central, 1:00 P.M. Eastern, and elsewhere in the world 18:00 GMT Saturday September 26. Where: KnfbReader Mobile conference room: which you can locate by clicking on the following link: Enter the Conference Room Here Or, alternatively, http://74.208.96.53/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsb18eeae3cfd2. After reaching the conference room entry page follow the instructions to enter the conference room itself. No password is required. We will record the event and put it on Michael Hingson's web site http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com so if you are unable to participate live at the above times then you may download the presentation or podcast from the website listed above. This online interactive program requires no password, is free of Charge, and open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a Computer, speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with the presenters and others in the virtual audience. If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download and then run. A link to the software is available On the entry screen to the online conference room. The Michael Hingson Group "Speaking with Vision" Michael Hingson, President (415) 827-4084 info at michaelhingson.com www.michaelhingson.com for info on the new KNFB Reader Mobile, visit: http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com http://michaelhingson.com/images/knfbReader-michael_hingson.jpg -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: a40513.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 8779 bytes Desc: not available URL: From artds55 at comcast.net Tue Sep 22 03:19:52 2009 From: artds55 at comcast.net (by way of David Andrews ) Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:19:52 -0500 Subject: [Sd-talk] Fwd: Job Announcement Vending Program Director Oregon Message-ID: Post Code: D717 Announcement Number: LEBL0903 Classification Number: Z7002 Open: 09/9/2009 Close: 09/30/2009 Location: Portland Availability: Full Time PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE/MANAGER B (PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE/MANAGER B (Business Enterprise Program Director)) $3,672 - $5,406 MONTHLY To be considered for this vacancy you must apply to announcement number LEBL0903. INTRODUCTION The mission of the Oregon Commission for the Blind is to promote the full integration of blind Oregonians into society through employment and independent living. The Business Enterprise Program (BEP) offers legally blind Oregonians opportunities to manage food service and vending facilities in government buildings throughout Oregon. BEP’s purpose is to create employment for blind persons who are referred to the program by the rehabilitation staff of the agency. There are currently 25 facilities ranging from small dry-stands to large cafeterias. The agency is seeking a Director of the BEP. The chosen candidate will be responsible for the overall management, fiscal oversight and administration of the program. This position is management service and is not represented by a union. This recruitment announcement will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill the current vacancy. SCOPE OF THE POSITION The Business Enterprise Program Director oversees all programmatic, administrative, financial and federal reporting matters related to the program. Specific duties include: * Provide support services for up to 25 business enterprise units operated by blind managers. * Develop staff competence to complete program functions. Conduct performance appraisals, disciplinary actions and signing off on leave requests. * Provide fiscal oversight of program and ensure all financial matters are handled appropriately. * Ensure appropriate training to qualified clients entering the vending programs, including interviewing and evaluation of potential managers. * Work with the Business Enterprise Consumer Committee (BECC) to ensure their active participation in major Administrative decisions and policy and program decisions affecting the overall administration of the program. * Propose such rules and regulations as may be required for the operation of the BE Program. * License and assign managers to units as they become available. * Make surveys of buildings or properties to determine their suitability as locations for vending facilities to be operated by blind persons. * Complete necessary contractual arrangements for establishment and operations of vending facilities with appropriate property management companies. * Arrange for the design, installation of equipment, supplies, and initial stock for new or remodeled units. * Prepare reports as may be required on status of BE Program. * Ensure availability of in-service and upward mobility training opportunities for facility managers. * Document contacts with BEP managers, public representatives and private vendors utilizing the BEP’s caseload management system. * Other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's or higher degree in Social Work/Human Services/Business Administration or related field AND knowledge of the Randolph-Sheppard Act and Regulations; Oregon Revised Statutes regarding the BEP; and the BEP Rules and Regulations (Handbook). Knowledge of small business operation with an emphasis on vending and food service and management. Also, have knowledge of blindness and be able to select, train and assist legally blind individuals in successful management of their units. OR Bachelor's degree in a field not closely related AND one year of human services related experience working with business development initiatives for legally blind or other underrepresented individuals. AND knowledge of the Randolph-Sheppard Act and Regulations; Oregon Revised Statutes regarding the BEP; and the BEP Rules and Regulations (Handbook). Knowledge of small business operation with an emphasis on vending and food service and management. Also, have knowledge of blindness and be able to select, train and assist legally blind individuals in successful management of their units. SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING TO APPLY: 1) A completed Management Service Application Form (located at the end of this announcement) AND 2) A current resume. Your resume must clearly indicate that you meet the qualifications listed above. AND 3) An Oregon Application form PD100 that can be obtained from the following website: http://www.oregon.gov/DAS/STJOBS/stjobsapplication.shtml#Standard_Application__PD100_ AND 4) Answers to the following questions. Please limit your answers to half a page each. * Describe your experience managing a federal or state program supporting business enterprise or blind individuals. * Describe your experience working with an advisory body, such as the Business Enterprise Consumer Committee or other such entities. What is your philosophy or approach if your agency’s decisions are challenged by an advisory body? * Give two examples of instances you have resolved or been unable to resolve conflict in the workplace. You may deliver, mail, email or FAX your completed application to: E-mail your application to: recruitment.ocb at state.or.us Indicate announcement number LEBL0903 in the subject line. Or mail your application to: Oregon Commission for the Blind 535 SE 12th Ave. Portland, OR 97214 Or FAX your application to 971-673-1570 If you need assistance to participate in the application process, you are encouraged to call 503-945-5698 (voice) or 503-945-6214 (TTY) between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) Monday through Friday. Keep a copy of your application materials for your job interviews. The Oregon Commission for the Blind does not provide copies. Although faxing your application is an option, the Oregon Commission for the Blind is not responsible for materials that are illegible or missing as a result of FAX transmission errors or loss in the mail or e-mail. Due to the high volume of incoming applications, we are unable to verify receipt of applications. The salary on all announcements may change without notice. Notice of your application results will be sent to you by mail. Although agencies are not required to delay their selection process, you may request a review of your application results. This review request must be received in writing within 10 days from the date of the notice. Although, additional application information cannot be submitted for active applications, you may submit a new application when you feel you have new/updated qualification information. If you are offered employment, the offer will be contingent upon the outcome of a criminal background and driving records check. Any history of criminal activity will be reviewed and could result in the withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment. WORKING CONDITIONS Requires occasional lifting for short periods. Frequent statewide travel is required. Some out-of-state travel may be required. You must have a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record. If not, you must be able to provide an alternate method of transportation. PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING US! The Oregon Commission for the Blind offers an array of benefits including medical, dental, and life insurance, as well as paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. For additional information, please refer to the following website for details: http://oregon.gov/DAS/OP/Benefits.shtml. The Oregon Commission for the Blind is committed to affirmative action, equal employment opportunity and workplace diversity. Oregon Commission for the Blind MANAGEMENT SERVICE APPLICATION FORM APPLICANT NAME: MAILING ADDRESS: EMPLOYEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (REQUIRED): OR HOME PHONE: WORK PHONE: E-MAIL: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ POSITION: PEMB/Business Enterprise Program Director I understand that any oral or written statement that is false, fraudulent, or misleading in this material, or made in the course of any related employment process, whether made by me or by others at my request, will result in rejection of this material, denial of employment, or dismissal from state service if discovered after employment, and in many circumstances, prosecution for a crime. I certify that all statements contained herein are true and complete whether made by me or others at my request. I understand that I must prove that I am authorized to work in the United States if I am hired. I authorize the employing agency to verify the employment and education information provided in this material. I authorize my driving record to be checked if the position for which I am applying requires driving. I understand and agree to a pre-employment drug screening and a criminal history background check. APPLICANT SIGNATURE: DATE: RECRUITMENT TRACKING INFORMATION PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: Job Applied For: Classification Number: ___________________ Announcement Number: HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT THIS POSITION? Newspaper (List Publication) State Jobs Page State Agency website Other website (List website) Employee Referral Friend Other: VOLUNTARY INFORMATION The information you provide below is voluntary. Affirmative Action The State of Oregon has an Affirmative Action Policy. If you choose to provide this information, it will help us evaluate the effectiveness of our affirmative action programs. This will also be used for research and statistical purposes. Ethnic Background (check only one) (A) Asian or Pacific Islander: Persons having origins in any of the peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands. This area includes, for example, China, Japan, Korea, the Philippine Islands and Samoa. (B) African American (not of Hispanic origin): Persons having origins in any of the black ethnic groups. (H) Hispanic: Persons having origins in any of the Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American or other Spanish cultures, regardless of ethnicity. (I) Native American or Alaskan Native: Persons having origins in any of the original peoples of North America, and who maintain cultural identification through tribal affiliation or community recognition. (W) Caucasian (not of Hispanic origin): Persons having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, North Africa or the Middle East. Gender: MALE FEMALE Disabled: YES NO (Checking the “yes” box has no effect on an employer's obligation to provide reasonable accommodation under state and federal disability laws.) ATTENTION: Attach this page to your application materials, even if you do not provide the voluntary information. __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4445 (20090921) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From JFreeh at nfb.org Thu Sep 24 04:41:53 2009 From: JFreeh at nfb.org (Freeh, Jessica) Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:41:53 -0500 Subject: [Sd-talk] Washington Post article on silent cars Message-ID: The following article on the danger posed by silent cars appeared today on the front page of the Washington Post. Washington Post The Deadly Silence of the Electric Car Automakers Propose Vroom-Vroom Substitutes to Alert Pedestrians Byline: Peter Whoriskey Publication Date: 09/23/2009 Link to Article After years of trying to make cars sound as if they were riding on air, engineers are considering how they might bring back some noise. They're trying to make some of them -- those silent hybrids -- more audible. But how? A team of engineers developing the Leaf, the forthcoming electric car from Nissan and a front-runner in the race for a mass-market electric car, have recently been presenting their ideas for artificial noises to government officials and focus groups. Maybe Chime Number 22? Melody Number 39? Perhaps a futuristic whirring like the aircraft in 'Blade Runner'? As hybrids proliferate and major automakers such as Nissan and General Motors prepare to launch battery electric vehicles next year, some automakers are seeking to address concerns in the United States and Japan that the nearly noiseless vehicles may be so quiet that they pose a threat to pedestrians. At a meeting earlier this month and another over the summer, Nissan presented the chime, the melody and a futuristic whir to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which has recently gathered evidence that the vehicles may pose a safety risk. Regulatory committees in the United States and Japan are also studying complaints about the cars, and Congress is weighing a measure requiring vehicles to issue 'non-visual' warnings to pedestrians. 'We are studying potential artificial noises that can be added to the vehicle,' said Scott Becker, a Nissan senior vice president. But the nascent industry is divided over whether safety sounds should be added to the quiet cars and, if so, what those noises should be. 'Frankly, we've been working for 30 years to make cars quiet -- never thinking they could become too quiet,' said Robert Strassburger, vice president for vehicle safety at the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, an industry group that has been working to address the concerns. But now 'those vehicles may be difficult to detect.' Hybrid vehicles typically operate on hushed battery-powered electric motors when idling and traveling at low speeds. At higher speeds, the noisier internal-combustion engine kicks in. Toyota, which makes the popular hybrid Prius, a small car that runs very quietly at low speeds, does not add artificial sounds. Cars like Tesla's Roadster, Nissan's Leaf and General Motors' Volt, which will depend on battery electric power, may be even quieter. Officials at Tesla say they have no intention of implementing 'fake noises.' The company already makes the $109,000 electric Roadster, a luxury product popular with eco-conscious celebrity customers. 'We have delivered more than 700 cars, and our customers overwhelmingly say the relative quiet of the powertrain is one of the most appealing aspects of the car,' said Tesla spokeswoman Rachel Konrad. 'Thanks to widespread electric vehicle adoption, we will all enjoy far less noise pollution in the future.' Evidence that the hybrid sales spurt poses a safety threat has been scant, in part because the phenomenon is new and the hybrid cars represent only a small fraction of the more than 230 million vehicles on the road, transportation officials said. But an as-yet-unreleased NHTSA study of accidents in 12 states compares accident rates for some hybrid vehicles and their internal combustion engine counterparts. Covering more than 8,000 hybrid electric vehicles and nearly 600,000 gasoline-fueled cars, the analysis suggests that during certain low-speed maneuvers such as turning and backing up, hybrid vehicles are 50 percent more likely to be involved in an accident with a pedestrian, said Ronald Medford, acting deputy administrator of NHTSA. 'We certainly know that blind pedestrians rely heavily on the sound of vehicles as a means of determining when it is safe to cross the road,' Medford said. 'But all of us are susceptible.' The potential problem arises at speeds less than 15 mph, when the electric and hybrid vehicles are notably quiet, almost silent. At higher speeds, the rush of air and the slap of tires makes the electrics almost as noisy as their gasoline-powered counterparts. Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) has introduced a bill that would require the Department of Transportation to establish a safety standard under which cars would have to be equipped to issue 'non-visual alerts' so that pedestrians can determine the vehicle's location, motion and speed. It has garnered 139 sponsors, among them Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.), who says he has been startled by a quiet car. 'I was down in Florida in the parking lot of a shopping center, and I was wheeling my groceries with my wife, and I didn't hear a car come up behind me,' Stearns told reporters. 'If all the cars are silent in the future, it does pose a problem.' But if electric cars are to be equipped with sound, there is little agreement over what the sound should be, how loud it ought to be and whether manufacturers should be allowed to create their own distinctive audio tracks. Some automakers are already experimenting with or planning to develop noises. The Fisker Karma, a luxury electric vehicle, will have an integrated audio system that will both alert pedestrians and give the car a 'distinctive audio signature' that will be 'reflective of the car's advanced technology,' a spokesman said. Officials with the National Federation of the Blind, which has pressed the safety issue with automakers and regulators, have advocated that electric cars make sounds similar to those of gas-powered cars. 'Society is conditioned to that sound,' said John Pare, director of strategic initiatives for the group. There is some concern that if a variety of noises are permitted, then electric cars could merely add another layer to the urban cacophony, potentially conflicting with state and local laws governing decibel levels. 'If we all do it differently, we will confuse the heck out of the consumer,'' said Nancy Gioia, director of hybrid and sustainable technology at Ford. Nissan declined to release the audio tracks being considered but said it would make its final decision in consultation with regulators. It is also seeking approval from drivers, some of whom have been fussy about the various sounds tested. 'They are too flat and irritating in hearing for more than even five minutes,' one respondent in a Nissan test said. 'Monotonous sound makes me sleepy,' said another. Said Pare: 'We are certain that there is a safe level of sound that isn't burdensome to society.' -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: