[blindkid] Why good O&M training is so important

[Amanda Winkler]

I agree with you about this video.  I am totally blind it is crucial that I 
listen to traffic no matter if there is a audible signal or not.  There are 
only a few times when an audible signal should be paid attention to.  They 
are; those times when traffic is sporadic, in places where there is loud 
noise that mask the sounds of oncoming traffic, and to align yourself to the 
opposite corner when crossing unfamiliar intersections.  The audible signals 
should only confirm what the traffic is telling you.   Audible signals do 
not tell me when a car is turning right on red or running a red light.  I 
believe we should have them on most intersections but not rely on them.

Amanda
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Aaron Cannon" <cannona at fireantproductions.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2011 6:53 AM
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)" 
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [blindkid] Why good O&M training is so important

> This video posted on the Yahoo Accessibility blog seeks to demonstrate
> the need for accessible crossing signals.  However, in my opinion it
> manages to do just the opposite quite nicely.
>
> http://yaccessibilityblog.com/wp/blind-people-cross-street.html
>
> I find it troubling that he talks about needing the signal "to
> indicate that it's safe for me to cross the street."  Even worse is
> his comment "I don't have to listen for the traffic coming the other
> way, I can just listen to the tone."
>
> He also calls crossing without a signal "daunting" and "scary".
>
> I can understand that such crossings can be quite daunting and scary
> if you don't have good training or practice making such crossings, so
> I don't really fault him for that.  However, I fear that people,
> especially other blind people, watching this video will assume that
> that's how it is for everyone.
>
> Finally, I do think that accessible signals can have their place, but
> certainly not the type shown in this video, which seem like they could
> actually interfere with listening to the traffic.
>
> Anyway, I just thought I'd share.
>
> Aaron Cannon
>
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