[nfbwatlk] Fw: Sound Transit first in country to receive federal grant for "sign" system to aid sight-impaired commuters

Fri Sep 8 14:56:56 CDT 2006

Hello,
here is the text version of the article about sound transit project of talking signs.  For some reason they did not use the word blind.  they should be using the word blind because that what is it is.
from
Jacob Struiksma 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: David Levinger 
fTo: Jacob Struiksma ; DOUG HILDIE 
Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 8:10 PM
Subject: Fwd: Sound Transit first in country to receive federal grant for "sign" system to aid sight-impaired commuters

Please forward to interested parties.  Any initial reactions?

-David

  Subject: Sound Transit first in country to receive federal grant for "sign" system to aid sight-impaired commuters
  Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2006 17:48:00 -0700
  From: "Schmid, Andrew" <schmida at soundtransit.org>
  To: "David Levinger" <david at feetfirst.info>
  Cc: <info at feetfirst.info>

  Let me know if you would like more information on this grant.

  Andrew Schmid
  Sound Transit Communications
  689-3332

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  From: Somerstein, Lee 
  Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 1:24 PM
  Subject: 

  Contact:          Lee Somerstein, (206) 689-4946, or somersteinl at soundtransit.org                                                

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  September 7, 2006

  Sound Transit first in country to receive federal grant for "sign" system to aid sight-impaired commuters

  Sound Transit has received a $1.98M grant from the Federal Transit Administration to install the Talking Signs® infrared way-finding system throughout its regional network. It is the first such grant in the country.
              "This is an important and exciting project for Sound Transit and our customers who will benefit from the Talking Signs® technology," said Marty Minkoff, Sound Transit's Director of Transportation Services. "Sound Transit is committed to exploring - and utilizing - every possible means to make our system accessible to everyone in Central Puget Sound."
  Talking Signs® technology is an infrared wireless communications system that provides remote directional human voice messages that make confident, independent travel possible for  people with vision, cognitive or reading disabilities . The technology was pioneered and developed at Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center in San Francisco, California. 
  The system consists of short audio signals sent by invisible infrared light beams from permanently installed transmitters to a hand-held receiver that decodes the signal and delivers the voice message through its speaker or headset. The signals are directional, and the beam width and distance can be adjusted. The system works effectively in both interior and exterior applications. 

  Talking Signs® may be used wherever landmark identification and way-finding assistance are needed. To use a Talking Signs® system, the user scans the environment with the hand-held receiver. As individual signals are encountered, the user hears the messages. For example, upon entering a lobby, one might detect "information desk" when pointing the receiver directly ahead, "public telephones" when pointing to the right and "stairs to the second floor" when pointing to the left. 
  The Talking Signs® project is part of Sound Transit's Mobility Initiative Program. It is the only technology recommended by the Federal Access Board.

  # # #

  Sound Transit plans, builds, and operates regional transit systems and services to improve mobility for Central Puget Sound. Visit Sound Transit online at www.soundtransit.org or call (888) 889-6368 / (888) 713-6030 TTY for more information. 

==========================
David Levinger, PhD, PE
Executive Director
Feet First
1402 Third Ave, Suite 1121
Seattle, WA  98101
(206) 652-2310 (office)
(206) 390-8118 (mobile)
www.feetfirst.info
david at feetfirst.info
========================== 
-------------- next part --------------
Hello,
here is the text version of the article about sound transit project of talking signs.  For some reason they did not use the word blind.  they should be using the word blind because that what is it is.
from
Jacob Struiksma 
----- Original Message -----
From:
mailto:david at feetfirst.info David Levinger
fTo:
mailto:lawnmower84 at hotmail.com Jacob Struiksma
; mailto:hjelde at drizzle.com DOUG HILDIE
Sent:
Thursday, September 07, 2006 8:10 PM
Subject:
Fwd: Sound Transit first in country to receive federal grant for "sign" system to aid sight-impaired commuters
Please forward to interested parties.  Any initial reactions?
-David
Subject: Sound Transit first in country to receive federal grant for "sign" system to aid sight-impaired commuters
Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2006 17:48:00 -0700
From: "Schmid, Andrew" < mailto:schmida at soundtransit.org schmida at soundtransit.org
>
To: "David Levinger" < mailto:david at feetfirst.info david at feetfirst.info
>
Cc: < mailto:info at feetfirst.info info at feetfirst.info
>
Let me know if you would like more information on this grant.

Andrew Schmid
Sound Transit Communications
689-3332

From:
Somerstein, Lee
Sent:
Thursday, September 07, 2006 1:24 PM
Subject:

cid:006c01c6d380$efe429e0$6601a8c0 at Jacobs

Contact:          Lee Somerstein, (206) 689-4946, or mailto:somersteinl at soundtransit.org somersteinl at soundtransit.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  September 7, 2006

Sound Transit first in country to receive federal grant for “sign” system to aid sight-impaired commuters

Sound Transit has received a $1.98M grant from the Federal Transit Administration to install the Talking Signs® infrared way-finding system throughout its regional network. It is the first such grant in the country.
            “This is an important and exciting project for Sound Transit and our customers who will benefit from the Talking Signs® technology,” said Marty Minkoff, Sound Transit’s Director of Transportation Services. “Sound Transit is committed to exploring – and utilizing – every possible means to make our system accessible to
everyone
in Central Puget Sound.”
Talking Signs® technology is an infrared wireless communications system that provides remote directional human voice messages that make confident, independent travel possible for  people with vision, cognitive or reading disabilities . The technology was pioneered and developed at Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center in San Francisco, California.
The system consists of short audio signals sent by invisible infrared light beams from permanently installed transmitters to a hand-held receiver that decodes the signal and delivers the voice message through its speaker or headset. The signals are directional, and the beam width and distance can be adjusted. The system works effectively in both interior and exterior applications.
Talking Signs® may be used wherever landmark identification and way
-
finding assistance are needed. To use a Talking Signs® system, the user scans the environment with the hand-held receiver. As individual signals are encountered, the user hears the messages. For example, upon entering a lobby, one might detect "information desk" when pointing the receiver directly ahead, "public telephones" when pointing to the right and "stairs to the second floor" when pointing to the left.
The
Talking Signs® project is part of Sound Transit’s
Mobility Initiative Program
. It is the only technology recommended by the Federal Access Board.

# # #

Sound Transit plans, builds, and operates regional transit systems and services to improve mobility for Central Puget Sound. Visit Sound Transit online at http://www.soundtransit.org/ www.soundtransit.org
or call (888) 889-6368 / (888) 713-6030 TTY for more information.

==========================
David Levinger, PhD, PE
Executive Director
Feet First
1402 Third Ave, Suite 1121
Seattle, WA  98101
(206) 652-2310 (office)
(206) 390-8118 (mobile)
http://www.feetfirst.info/ www.feetfirst.info
david at feetfirst.info
==========================
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