[Mt-blind] MAB Position on Accessible Pedestrian Signals

[Jim Marks]

As promised, I looked up the MAB resolution on accessible pedestrian
signals.  The resolution, which was adopted in 2003 in Butte, stands as the
official policy on the audible signals.  The resolution does not oppose all
such signals, but it certainly sets the tone that they are rarely necessary
or desirable.  The resolution also calls for the less obnoxious and more
accessible vibro-tactile type.  The MAB could change its policy by adopting
a different resolution at convention.  Here is the resolution:

Resolution 2003-06 Accessible Pedestrian Signals 

WHEREAS accessible pedestrian signals are audible and/or vibro-tactile
signals that provide alternative indicators for the blind when the walk and
do not walk signals are activated; and 

WHEREAS accessible pedestrian signals are expensive to install and maintain
and are necessary only for some rare intersections where traditional
orientation and mobility techniques for the blind do not work effectively;
and 

WHEREAS blind pedestrians prefer vibro-tactile signals over audible ones
because vibro-tactile signals do not endanger blind pedestrians by adding
confusing and unnecessary noise to the soundscape, thus interfering with the
sounds of traffic that blind pedestrians use to cross intersections safely;
and WHEREAS blind and visually impaired Montanans are citizens who want to
spend public dollars wisely and to reinforce the notion that well-trained
and responsible blind and visually impaired citizens routinely cross most
intersections without accessible pedestrian signals: Now, therefore, 

Be it RESOLVED by the Montana Association for the Blind in convention
assembled on this fourth day of May, 2003, in the city of Butte, Montana,
that this organization proclaims that accessible pedestrian signals are
necessary for only a few intersections, not all intersections; and 

Be it further RESOLVED that we call upon the Montana Department of
Transportation and city governments to consult with the Montana Association
for the Blind before installing accessible pedestrian signals; and 

Be it further RESOLVED that the Montana Department of Transportation and
city governments install only accessible pedestrian signals of the
vibro-tactile type.  


Jim Marks
blind.grizzly at GMail.com