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

Wed Apr 19 04:11:39 UTC 2023

Denise,

I used an iPhone 13 Mini.  I held it in both hands tightly and the
phone was close to my chest so it would be a struggle if someone
wanted to snatch it. The late great Mike Cramer advised me long ago as
a blind person to be conscious about being flashy in public with
money, wallets, and if he were still alive, expensive electronic
items. Before reaching the intersection, I had the iPhone in my pocket
and I had opened the OKO app before locking the phone. All I needed to
do was to discreetly pull the phone out of my pocket, unlock the
device with face ID, and point it at the traffic signal. I did this in
one smooth motion that lasted less than a minute each time. Granted
though I do not live in a high crime neighborhood.  I am also a
powerlifter with now a big and long beard, which leads many to leave
me alone. Given I felt I had maximum control of the device, I had
minimal worries about crime.  If I did and I felt this app was
essential, I could just obtain an iPhone 8, which are available for
under $100, and use it for this purpose.  The iPhone 8 runs iOS 16
which is also on the latest iPhones.  If someone were to snatch the
iPhone 8, the end user would experience minimal loss.

Kelly

On 4/18/23, Robert Hansen via IL-Talk <il-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Actually now that you think about it that would trouble me. I'm real
> paranoid about even pulling up my cheap phone. I mean it's a great app and
> that's good it was invented. But you know at the same time a lot of these
> phones are getting up there in price. I saw one of those fancy pants
> Samsung folding phones for about $1,700. And you know those iPhones are up
> in the 1200 1300 $1,400 range nowadays. It's a nice technology but I'm a
> little shy about pulling out the phone.
>
> Robert Hansen
> hansen.robert70 at gmail.com
>
>
> On Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 7:12 PM Deborah Kent Stein via IL-Talk <
> il-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> What troubles me about this technology is the idea of standing on a busy
>> street corner and holding out my phone for all to see. It would be too
>> easy
>> for a stranger to snatch it and run. Am I just being paranoid?
>>
>> Debbie S.
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: IL-Talk [mailto:il-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kelly
>> Pierce via IL-Talk
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2023 6:08 PM
>> To: NFB of Illinois Mailing List <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Kelly Pierce <kellytalk at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [IL-Talk] FW: Article from Chicago Sun Times Metro State
>> Section 2023 04 06
>>
>> 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.
>> >>
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>> >> NFB-NEWSLINE??? Team.
>> >>
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