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From: David.Andrews@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Andrews)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Audible traffic lights
Message-ID: <15492@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 6 Nov 90 14:07:06 GMT
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Index Number: 11588

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 DA>> Maggie,  You would still have to listen to traffic, for cars  
 DA>> turning right on red etc.  Secondly, when an audible traffic  
 DA>> light makes its noise, it is telling you it is safe to cross,  
 DA>> but which way.  Should you cross this street or that street?   
 DA>> So, either way, you need to listen to traffic flow. David  
      
      
 MW> The audible traffic lights which I have experienced have also  
 MW> been exclusive traffic lights, meaning, all traffic stops and  
 MW> the pedestrian has the exclusive right of way. 
 MW>         If an intersection did not have an exclusive light,  
 MW>  wouldn't the activation buttons for the traffic light indicate  
 MW>  to a sighted as well as a blind person which street was safe  
 MW>  to cross?  
 
 MW>         I detect in your mobility messages a strong bias toward  
 MW>  cane use.  I find it quite disheartening to observe such an  
 MW>  opinion coming from a person who claims to have instructed  
 MW>  blind individuals in the art of mobility.  Have you ever  
 MW>  entertained the thought of getting a guide dog?  
 

Your point about the buttons telling you which street the buzzer is
for is well taken, howver I personally would want to be able to
hear the traffic in case someone turned right on red or ran the
light.

I have thought about getting a dog but have decided that it isn't
for me.  First, I travel well and have not seen any dog travelers
who get around any better then I do with a cane.  Because I am
confortable with my travel arrangements I have no reason to put up
with the hassles of using a dog, and I get companionship from my
cat so am not interested in a dog for those reasons.  Finally,
while many will disagree with me, I have observed some sighted
people paying attention to a persons dog and not the person.  There
was a message to that effect here a couple weeks ago.  Yes, Yes,
Yes, I know this isn't universal, and it can work the other way,
somethimes, however, I am not interested in getting involved in
that stuff.  I would rather leave the dog for someone who wants it
more than I.

David Andrews

... Your Sound Alternative

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