[nfb-talk] Vibrating traffic signals.

[David Evans]

Dear Helene,

I would agree with you.
I , as an engineer and a Blind traveler, would rather see a vibrating button 
signal station than an audible one.
I could then still use my hearing, all of my hearing, without having to 
compete with unneeded sounds.
This might also be safer because the button station can be placed near the 
curb cut and act as a landmark for the Blind person to use the curb cut to 
line up for crossing the street.
It still doesn't interfere with your hearing or effect your other crossing 
techniques.
I know that Europe is ahead in some ways in this regard.
I have studied the problem allot and have given input into the situation on 
the national level.
We have to be careful that we don't do anything, just because it seems to be 
a help, before we test it and think about it.
Anything that can cause you to get lazy or let down your guard is bad and 
can get you killed.
Audible signals can do this if you start trusting it instead of your own 
training and other senses.

I can accept vibration buttons because they would be universally useable and 
they would not mask sounds that I need to hear.

David Evans, NFBF
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "helene ryles" <helene.ryles at talk21.com>
To: <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008 3:40 PM
Subject: [nfb-talk] Vibrating traffic signals.


> I'm interested in NFB view on Audio traffic lights.  I don't like Audio 
> lights either because I am profoundly deaf and can't hear them.  However, 
> here in England we have twirling buttons which can be easily located just 
> under the button that you have to press.  I find them very useful.  As I 
> can't cross busy roads. Only quiet roads with the help of a devise called 
> a tactaid  which vibrates when there is noise such as traffic or people 
> speaking near by.
>
>  I think that NFB should consider pushing for vibrating rather then Audio 
> signals as deafblind people can use vibrating signals too.
>
>  Helene Ryles.
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Sent from Yahoo! &#45; a smarter inbox.


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