[nfbwatlk] Talking Signs in Seattle

Fri Sep 1 10:59:35 CDT 2006

Probably. But my concerns are more with the concept of talking signs 
than with the specific implementation.. There used to be at least three 
different standards for communication between sign and receiver. Are 
talking signs any good until there's a standard protocol? And who 
ultimately pays for these things and how do the blind obtain them? Will 
they have to register with an agency as in Canada? And what of blind 
persons who do not have such a talking sign receiver. Will people fell 
less obligated to assist the blind in way-finding?

I suspect that those involved in the project will have closed ears to 
such concerns. But if there end up being advisory committees etc. 
dealing with the project, we should be on them.

Mike

On Thu, 31 Aug 2006, Bob Sellers wrote:

>
> Wouldn't it behoove us to be involved. Even though we may not like or
> approve of themthat, at least we could have some input. Rather then wait
> until it is done and then complain about decisions that were made.
>
> Bob
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
> To: "NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List" <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 9:06 AM
> Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Talking Signs in Seattle
>
>
>> I have concerns also though not sure how much can be done about this now
>> that Federal dollars (AKA pork) are flowing. I'm not sure it's been
>> worked out yet how receivers will be issued and by whom. That's a real
>> drawback to almost all talking sign systems.
>>
>> Incidentally, I thought I read somewhere that it's Sound Transit rather
>> than Metro that's involved in this.
>>
>> Mike Freeman
>>
>> On Wed, 30 Aug 2006, Frye, Dan wrote:
>>
>>> I have some concerns about this prospect; I've been asked, though, to
> share this with you. The story follows:
>>>
>>>
>>> Apparently, Seattle will get a contract to install many of these talking
> signs.  Baker, the Congressman regularly quoted here, is a good friend of
> ours though we have not be big backers of this project.  I personally think
> the need to carry a receiver is troublesome, and wonder who buys these
> things for the folks that would use them.  Having said that, the article is
> probably right that this technology could really move ahead now.  It got
> some support in the last transportation bill, and this Seattle project is a
> larger test run than I think it has received before.  I really have not
> heard from anyone who actually has used. it and would like to.
>>> Jim McCarthy
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Brunhilde Merk-Adam [mailto:bkmabma at worldnet.att.net]
>>> Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 8:51 AM
>>> To: bkmabma at worldnet.att.net
>>> Subject: BLIND VISION Tech Alert
>>>
>>>
>>> BLIND VISION Tech Alert
>>> 2TheAdvocate.com, Louisiana
>>> Wednesday, August 30, 2006
>>>
>>> Talking Signs slated to install high-tech units in Seattle
>>>
>>> By GARY PERILLOUX, Advocate business writer
>>>
>>> BR firm assists efforts for blind
>>>
>>> A Baton Rouge technology business bent on eradicating barriers for the
> blind
>>> has reached a breakthrough with federal approval of a $2 million
> contract.
>>>
>>> In the four-year deal, Talking Signs will install high-tech signs on
> buses,
>>> traffic signals and landmarks throughout Seattle, allowing visually
> impaired
>>> pedestrians to pick up audio messages using an infrared receiver.
>>>
>>> "For what we have going out the door, this is a very important
> development
>>> because of the sponsorship by Congress," Talking Signs President C. Ward
>>> Bond said.
>>>
>>> Key backing came from U.S. Rep. Richard Baker, R-Baton Rouge, chief
> sponsor
>>> of the pilot project in the 2005 federal transportation act.
>>>
>>> "It's important for two differing reasons," Baker said. "One is the
>>> development of the technology and the associated jobs that come with the
>>> demand for the product. Second - and the more important issue - is
> making
>>> accessible public transportation to those who are physically impaired
> and
>>> otherwise would be challenged to navigate through public transportation
>>> without this type of assistance."
>>>
>>> Talking Signs partnered with Sound Transit of Seattle to win the $2
> million
>>> grant in a competitive process. The Seattle project beat applications
> from
>>> Austin, Texas; Lansing, Mich.; Chicago; and Tampa, Fla.
>>>
>>> Seattle already had installed Talking Signs in transit stations in the
> city,
>>> giving it a head start over the competitors, Bond said. The new project
> will
>>> provide seamless navigation for the blind for the first time on a
> regional
>>> basis.
>>>
>>> If the Federal Transit Authority brands the project as successful and
>>> meaningful in three years, doors could be opened for much broader
> funding in
>>> the next transportation bill, Baker said. That could mean substantial
> growth
>>> for Talking Signs, which has operated on a shoestring budget for 13
> years.
>>>
>>> The venture rose from San Francisco's Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research
>>> Institute. Bond teamed with researchers Bill Loughborough and Bill
> Crandall
>>> to transfer technology from the institute to Talking Signs.
> Microcomputer
>>> Systems of Baton Rouge designed the remote infrared audible signs from
>>> concept to product, with Mitsubishi Precision as a lead manufacturer.
>>>
>>> Talking Signs has more than 3,000 receivers deployed from Norway to
> Japan.
>>> Whether the Baton Rouge firm evolves from a small business - Bond and
> vice
>>> president Jeff Moyer comprise its full-time staff - into a breakout
> venture
>>> depends on whether federal pilot funds lead to a mandate of Americans
> with
>>> Disabilities Act proportions.
>>>
>>> It depends also on whether additional commercial applications bear
> fruit.
>>>
>>> Talking Signs simultaneously is developing PointLink, an infrared
> technology
>>> that would allow users to point to signs and interpret them in foreign
>>> languages and to point to icons and have them provide an immediate link
> to
>>> Web sites about the landmark.
>>>
>>> "That will be the drop-dead application in Silicon Valley. That's what
> they
>>> would call it there," Bond said. "I think we're at a point where if the
>>> right talent and money would come along, I think a substantial company
> could
>>> be built here."
>>>
>>> Talking Signs is scrutinizing spin-off possibilities for the PointLink
>>> venture. Meanwhile, the company is linking with advocacy groups for the
>>> blind and promoting a national movement for audio technology that's far
> more
>>> powerful than Braille signs.
>>>
>>> "I think eventually it will be the same as curb cuts (for wheelchairs),"
>>> Bond said. "It's just too good, it's just too valuable."
>>>
>>> Baker agrees.
>>>
>>> "This is a very significant technology," he said. "Once this pilot is
>>> deployed and it has acceptability with the traveling public, I fully
> expect
>>> it to be deployed across the country. And the Baton Rouge community
> would be
>>> the beneficiary of what I think is a rather grand opportunity."
>>>
>>> Story originally published in The Advocate
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/business/3767052.html
>>>
>>>
>>> Daniel B. Frye
>>> Manager of Affiliate Action Advocacy and Training
>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>> Department of Affiliate Action
>>> 1800 Johnson Street
>>> Baltimore, Maryland 21230
>>> Telephone: (410) 659-9314 Ext. 2208
>>> Cell: (410) 241-7006
>>> Fax: (410) 659-6893
>>> E-Mail: dfrye at nfb.org
>>> Web Address: www.nfb.org
>>> "Voice of the Nation's Blind"
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nfbwatlk mailing list
>>> nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbwatlk
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfbwatlk mailing list
>> nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbwatlk
>>
>>
>> --
>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>> Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.7/433 - Release Date: 8/30/2006
>>
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfbwatlk mailing list
> nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbwatlk
>