[IL-Talk] FW: Article from Chicago Sun Times Metro State Section 2023 04 06

Wed Apr 19 00:07:21 UTC 2023

Then I believe that app ought to be made widely known. And they need to
really seriously promote that app. And as many apps like that ought to be
really developed and pushed. You know and if they're free that would be a
real game changer. And you know the more we have and the more access that
we have to apps like this one could really significantly help a lot of
people.

Robert Hansen
hansen.robert70 at gmail.com

On Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 6:09 PM Kelly Pierce via IL-Talk <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> A traffic signal identifier named OKO has just been released for the
> iPhone.  The free app makes unique sounds when the traffic signal is
> showing the don’t walk signal or the walk signal. I have used it a few
> times and the app has worked flawlessly. The app can be a game changer
> and travel enhancer for those who want additional support and
> confidence crossing streets with traffic lights. All someone needs to
> do is to point the back iPhone camera to the traffic signal across the
> street and instantly sound is produced, indicating the status of the
> signal.  Has anyone else used OKO?  Feel free to share your
> experience. This app could easily replace in my trials the need for
> feedback from guide dogs or audio traffic signals installed by
> municipalities.  OKO is currently under active development so feedback
> about signals that do not work with the app will be investigated and
> solutions created for the app to function at these intersections. The
> app has been used in Europe for a couple of years and now has just
> been made available in the United States and Canada.
>
> Kelly
>
>
>
> On 4/9/23, Debbie Pittman via IL-Talk <il-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> > I just hope the signals they put in will not be like the one at Jackson
> and
> > state which seems to only confuse the challenge of crossing.
> >
> > Debbie P
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> >> On Apr 6, 2023, at 6:49 PM, Denise Avant via IL-Talk <
> il-talk at nfbnet.org>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hello All,
> >>
> >> The court made a ruling yesterday regarding the Accessible Pedestrian
> >> Signals. Please see the below article. Also, I will be on CBS 2 News
> >> tonight
> >> at 10 since there is one near me.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> From: NFB-NEWSLINE Online <publications at nfbnewsline.net>
> >> Sent: Thursday, April 6, 2023 6:16 PM
> >> To: Denise Avant <davant1958 at gmail.com>
> >> Subject: Article from Chicago Sun Times Metro State Section 2023 04 06
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Chicago crosswalk signals violate disabilities act, federal judge rules
> By
> >> Catherine Odom A federal judge has ruled Chicago violated the Americans
> >> with
> >> Disabilities Act by failing to install signals at most crosswalks that
> >> help
> >> people who are visually impaired navigate streets and reach their
> >> destinations safely. U.S. District Judge Elaine Bucklo ruled Friday that
> >> the
> >> city's lack of accessible pedestrian signals (APS) at crosswalks was
> >> discriminatory against people who are visually impaired because it
> >> deprives
> >> them of "meaningful access" to public benefits guaranteed by the
> >> disabilities act. Bucklo's judgement was issued in response to a lawsuit
> >> brought in 2019 by the American Council of the Blind of Metropolitan
> >> Chicago
> >> and several visually impaired individuals. Ann Brash, a plaintiff in the
> >> class-action suit, said she was nearly struck by a bus while walking
> home
> >> from work in 2017 because the crosswalk lacked accessible signals,
> >> according
> >> to the complaint. Jelena Kolic, an attorney for Disability Rights
> >> Advocates
> >> who represented the plaintiffs, said they were "thrilled that the judge
> >> recognized that public entities need to account for blind and low-vision
> >> pedestrians when signalizing intersections. The city's law department
> did
> >> not respond to a request for comment Thursday. The suit accused the city
> >> of
> >> upgrading crosswalks without including accessible signals, which can
> >> feature
> >> audio recordings or tones that communicate information about the
> >> crossing's
> >> "walk" and "don't walk" intervals. The year the suit was brought, Mayor
> >> Lori
> >> Lightfoot had promised to install up to 100 APS-equipped crosswalk
> signals
> >> to make Chicago "the most inclusive city in the nation. But as of 2021,
> >> fewer than 1% of crosswalks in the city had the accessible signals
> >> installed, according to justice department, which joined the plaintiffs
> in
> >> the suit. "Federal law offers people with visual disabilities the
> promise
> >> of
> >> full participation in community life, and safely navigating city streets
> >> is
> >> a critical part of that," Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of
> the
> >> justice department's Civil Rights Division said in a statement following
> >> the
> >> decision. Colleen Wunderlich, who is blind, testified about her
> >> experiences
> >> in this lawsuit and said she was "very pleased" but "not surprised" by
> the
> >> decision. Wunderlich said crossing the street without the accessible
> >> signals
> >> is "dangerous and unsettling," and forces her to rely on listening for
> >> passing traffic or asking strangers for help. She said she hopes to see
> >> APS
> >> devices at all crosswalks in the future. Janet Szlyk, president of the
> >> Chicago Lighthouse, a social services organization for the visually
> >> impaired, said she was "disappointed" it took a lawsuit to push the city
> >> to
> >> prioritize accessibility. "It should be an absolute priority for the
> city.
> >> Accessibility is critically important," Szlyk said. The plaintiffs and
> the
> >> city have yet to reach agreement on a remedial plan. Kolic said she
> looks
> >> forward to negotiating the terms with the city. "Chicago is a very
> >> walkable
> >> city, and it should be walkable for everyone," Kolic said. "I'm hoping
> >> that
> >> the consequence of this decision will be that the blind residents of
> this
> >> city will be able to enjoy that walkability, just as the rest of us have
> >> been able to do.
> >>
> >> This article is provided to you as a courtesy of NFB-NEWSLINE??? Online
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> >> your sole use. The content of this E-mail is protected under copyright
> >> law,
> >> and is not to be distributed in any manner to others; infringement of
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> >>
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