[nfb-talk] FW: Interesting article on a new trial for signs in Australia

Ray Foret jr rforetjr at att.net
Mon Jul 22 14:04:29 UTC 2013


Well, my guess is that you are more likely to get the opinions of infividual federationists rather than a so-called "official" opinion.  And in mine, this would never be done in the United states.  Much to costly.  
Sent from my mac, the only computer with full accessibility for the blind built-in!
Sincerely,
The Constantly Barefooted Ray
Still a very proud and happy Mac and Iphone user!

On Jul 22, 2013, at 8:50 AM, "Reyazuddin, Yasmin" <Yasmin.Reyazuddin at montgomerycountymd.gov> wrote:

> Hi Everyone, 
> 
> The following article was sent to me by a friend. Maybe the local county
> government is considering placing Braille signage for street signs. 
> 
> I would like to know the federation thoughts on this topic. 
> 
> Yasmin Reyazuddin 
> Aging & Disability Services 
> Montgomery County Government 
> Department of Health & Human Services 
> 401 Hungerford Drive (3rd floor) 
> Rockville MD 20850 
> 240-777-0311 (MC311) 
> 240-777-1556 (personal) 
> 240-777-1495 (fax) 
> office hours 8:30 am 5:00 pm 
> Languages English, Hindi, Urdu, Braille 
> 
> This message may contain protected health information or other
> information that is confidential or privileged. If you are not the
> intended recipient, please contact the sender by return mail and destroy
> any copies of this material. 
> 
> Thank you.
> 
> 
> 
> http://www.guidedogs.com.au/news-and-events/news/20-06-2013/sydneysiders
> -with-impaired-vision-to-trial-new-braille-street-signs  
> 
> Top of Form
> 
> Sydneysiders with impaired vision to trial new Braille street signs
> 
> 20 June, 2013
> 
> 
> 
> Walking around Sydney can be easy if you can see to read the street
> signs, but imagine how you'd go if you were blind or vision impaired?
> 
> With the incidence of vision loss increasing, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT has
> welcomed a City of Sydney initiative to trial Braille and tactile street
> signs that provide people who are blind or vision impaired with
> information on where they are.
> 
> 
> 
> Today, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT clients who use guide dogs or long canes to
> help them get around will participate in the trial at Circular Quay. It
> will involve them testing and providing feedback on the legibility of
> prototype street signs that provide location information in Braille and
> tactile raised lettering.
> 
> Guide Dogs NSW/ACT clients and Community Education staff have played a
> key role in the City of Sydney's consultation process on the development
> of the new Braille and tactile street signs, which will replace existing
> signage that has worn-out from use since they were installed in the
> 1990s.
> 
> "The trial will ensure that the best possible Braille and tactile street
> sign products and designs are used so that people who are blind or
> vision impaired can easily and independently access the City of Sydney,"
> says Jennifer Moon, Community Education Coordinator for Guide Dogs
> NSW/ACT.
> 
> "The Braille and tactile street signs are an important enhancement to
> the specialized work our Orientation and Mobility Instructors do. They
> provide training to people with impaired vision that enables them to
> move around their environments safely and on their own."
> 
> After the trial, it is proposed that a new network of Braille and
> tactile street signs will be placed next to pedestrian crossing buttons
> on traffic light poles through the CBD. They aim to give pedestrians
> with vision loss the confidence that they will be able to 'orientate'
> themselves throughout their journey and at their destination.
> 
> 
> 
> Guide dog handler Nicole Holmes (pictured above), who has been part of
> the consultation process, knows only too well how important it is to
> have the right Braille and tactile street signs in place.
> 
> "The ability to identify my location or where I am in such a busy city
> like Sydney most importantly eases my stress while I'm trying to
> negotiate the environment," says Nicole, whose vision is impaired due to
> Retinopathy of Prematurity.
> 
> "Braille and tactile signage is also useful in reassuring me that I am
> heading in the right direction to my destination so it complements the
> assistance that I get from my long cane or guide dog. I'm really pleased
> that the City of Sydney is trialing the Braille street signs because as
> vision impairment can differ between people, we need to make sure the
> end product will be useful for as many people with vision impairment as
> possible."
> 
> Research predicts that the number of people in NSW and the ACT aged over
> 40 with impaired vision is set to rise to 100,000 by 2020 .
> 
> Each year, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT provides free services to almost 4,000
> people of all ages and with any degree of vision loss that might impact
> their ability to get around independently.
> 
> For more information about Guide Dogs NSW/Act's free services visit 
> www.guidedogs.com.au or call 1800 804 805.
> ENDS
> 
> MEDIA: Please contact: Sally Edgar, 0413 753 241 or 
> media at guidedogs.com.au
> 
> ABOUT GUIDE DOGS NSW/ACT
> Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is the leading provider of guide dogs and orientation
> and mobility services to enable people with impaired vision to get
> around their communities independently. Services include providing
> training and aids including long canes, guide dogs and electronic travel
> devices such as talking GPS technology. . Visit www.guidedogs.com.au,
> call 1800 804 805, or follow us on Facebook
> <http://www.facebook.com/guidedogsnswact?ref=hl>  or Twitter
> <https://twitter.com/GuideDogsNSWACT> .
> 
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