[Travelandtourism] Event I was involved in on March 23rd, 2012 with the SONS of AMVETS and SILO

[cheryl echevarria]

Good morning all:
I am sharing this with you, because traveling just isn't going on a cruise, airplane, or possibly to Disney.
This has to do with traveling safely in our own towns and states.
Last Friday, March 23rd, 2012, I was invited by the SONS of AMVETS and SILO (which is Suffolk County Independent Living Organization), I was there as a representative of Echevarria Travel, Central Islip Lions and the National Federation of the Blind.
I am going to give you a little background on this.
In many towns across the US, there are really bad intersections where all disabled people live and need to cross them safely.  I am not saying every single corner we need these on, I mean 3 and 4 lanes of traffic, as well as, the intersections, where you have to cross over to a little island, and the cross over that to get to the other side.
The particular intersection is like that, also the Sons of AMVETS pay $5000.00 to have this installed for people, they are working closely with Towns in the areas as well as SILO. Please read the full article.
FYI, the NFB isn't against the audible traffic lights, we have some in NY City.

By Patrick MitchellSONS OF AMVETSPOST 48 On March 23 AMVETS and Silo members gathered with local officials and advocates for the disabled to celebrate the installation of an Audible Crosswalk at the intersection of Route 109 and Great East Neck Road in West Babylon.  AMVETS and SILO were contacted by Judith and Harold Wieber, a married couple that are visually impaired. They were having difficulty safely crossing the above mentioned busy intersection to access a local shopping center.  This was the closest shopping center to their home and our team wanted to provide an opportunity for the Wieber’s to independently negotiate this complex intersection on a daily basis in order to meet their needs.  
Our group was able to work cooperatively with Town of Babylon Officials and NYS DOT Regional Traffic Engineer Frank Pearson in terms of making the case that the intersection of Route 109 and Great East Neck Road needed an audible crosswalk to create a safer environment for this visually impaired couple.  It was brought to our attention that audible crosswalks will also benefit seniors that need more time to cross this intersection as well as moms that are navigating intersections with baby carriages and children in tow.  Furthermore, this Audible Crosswalk is located next to West Babylon High School and we observed many students pressing the button on the Audible Crosswalk to successfully cross this intersection.
AMVETS and SILO have instituted a program to increase awareness concerning the need for more Audible Crosswalks for the visually impaired and physically challenged. Audible Crosswalks are installed at busy intersections to allow visually impaired people to proceed safely through crosswalks after they receive an audible prompt to do so, such as a beeping noise or words that signify it is now safe to cross the intersection.  The goal of this program is to allow visually impaired men and women to travel more safely thereby assuring greater independence, dignity and opportunity.
(hello, Cheryl here,  I just want to say that when you press the button which has a large arrow on it, says wait repeatedly until the light changes until it is safe to cross, it then tells you it is not safe to cross the street)
          AMVETS, Helen Keller Services for the Blind (HKSB) and Suffolk Independent Living Organization (SILO) have attempted to address the above mentioned concerns regarding disabled individuals.  HKSB has a training program for the visually impaired which includes going out into the field and providing Orientation and Mobility instruction to help their clients develop the skills necessary to safely negotiate complex intersections.   SILO assists individuals with disabilities in developing essential life skills while also providing them with the necessary information and referrals so they can make informed decisions toward reaching their goals of living independently in the community. These organizations have contacted AMVETS and asked them to advocate for their clients and request Audible Crosswalks at intersections where Orientation and Mobility Instructors have noticed potentially dangerous crossing conditions.
(Just another comment in reference to SILO, since I am also forwarding this to Carl Jacobsen, David Stayer and  Dr. Maurer), SILO does training for JAWS, WINDOW EYES and Zoomtext, but no braille, which would be a good place to go for training if they could offer this, it is free if your case is opened with the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped here in NY, but not free if you don't have an opened case with them.) Pictured (L-R) Patrick Mitchell Commander Sons of AMVETS Post 48;Cheryl Echevarria of Echevarria Travel, National Federation of the Blind of  Greater Long Island and Central Islip Lions with Guide Dog Maxx; Harold and Judy Wieber; Marilyn Tucci SILO Representative with her Service Dog Anna; Corrine DiSomma Town of Babylon Receiver of Taxes; Frank Krotschinsky Suffolk County Director of Handicapped Services and NYS Senator Owen JohnsonLeading the Way in Independent Travel!

Cheryl Echevarria
http://www.echevarriatravel.com
631-456-5394
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