Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!mit-eddie!mintaka!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89!David.Andrews
From: David.Andrews@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Andrews)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Audible traffic lights
Message-ID: <15287@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 31 Oct 90 03:04:01 GMT
Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP
Reply-To: David.Andrews@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org
Distribution: misc
Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA
Lines: 35
Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP

Index Number: 11405

 

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 DS>> Certainly not!!  Why do you feel we even need to have those  
 DS>> audible traffic lights.  They have been shown to pose a risk to  
 DS>> the blind traveller because they can cause a distraction to the  
 DS>> normal orientation and mobility skills used by a blind person  
 DS>> to cross those streets.  73 
      
      
 MW> Apparently you don't cross light controlled intersections which  
 MW> allow for right turns on red.  Every morning I cross an  
 MW> extremely busy intersection which allows right turns on red and  
 MW> if I didn't have enough residual vision to spot the walk sign,  
 MW> there's no way I would even attempt that crossing alone.   
 MW> You'll have to show me the statistics that prove audible cues  
 MW> from traffic lights detract from the normal O and M skills of a  
 MW> blind person.  
 
The way totally blind people cross intersections with right on red laws is by
listening for right turning traffic.  I am totally blind, corss such
intersections daily, and have taught others to use them at our state Orientation
Center.  However, it would be impossible to do so with an audible traffic light
putting up  a racket.  Further, the presence of such a device may lull a less
skilled traveler into a false sense of security.
David Andrews

... Your Sound Alternative

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89!David.Andrews
Internet: David.Andrews@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org