[nfbwatlk] FW: [Wcb-l] story on accessible signals
Mike Freeman
k7uij at panix.com
Mon Sep 24 21:27:48 CDT 2007
WE have no chapter there.
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Mello
To: nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2007 9:37 AM
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] FW: [Wcb-l] story on accessible signals
This makes me sick! $20000 for one! I think we need to do something
before this virus spreds to the rest of the state. Do we have a voice
in the planning process?
-Mike Mello
>----Original Message----
>From: Doug.Trimble at wssb.wa.gov
>Date: Sep 24, 2007 8:48
>To: "NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List"<nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
>Subj: [nfbwatlk] FW: [Wcb-l] story on accessible signals
>
>FYI,
>
>Doug Trimble
>Orientation & Mobility Instructor
>Off Campus Work Advisor
>Washington State School for the Blind
>2214 E. 13th Street Vancouver, WA 98661
>office ph. 360-696-6321 #118
>cell:360-909-0833
>-----Original Message-----
>From: wcb-l-bounces at wcbinfo.org [mailto:wcb-l-bounces at wcbinfo.org] On
>Behalf Of Sue Ammeter
>Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2007 11:25 PM
>To: Joleen; wcb-l at wcbinfo.org
>Subject: Re: [Wcb-l] story on accessible signals
>
>Hi all,
>
>I want to congratulate Joleen and the United Blind of Walla Walla for
>being
>so proactive! This project is a great example of how we can partner
>with
>others to accomplish something that benefits our local communities.
>Good
>work all!
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Joleen" <cjferg at charter.net>
>To: <wcb-l at wcbinfo.org>
>Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2007 9:35 PM
>Subject: [Wcb-l] story on accessible signals
>
>
>Hi All,
>
>Here is an article that appeared in our local paper, Walla Walla
>Union Bulletin.
>
>New signals cater to blind
>The signals feature a push button with audible directions for
>sight-impaired users.
>By Kathy Korengel of the Union-Bulletin
>
>When Joleen Ferguson crosses the street, she first needs to know
>if a
>pedestrian signal graces that corner.
>
>Ferguson waits with her companion animal Sydney at the corner of
>Second
>Avenue and Main Street after pushing the crosswalk button. U-B
>photo by
>Matthew B. Zimmerman
>Then she has to find the pole with the button to push to change
>the
>signal. She has to find the button. Maybe her guide dog, Sydney,
>can
>help her find it, Ferguson said during a recent interview.
>
>Sydney, an adorable golden retriever, lay at her feet as she
>talked.
>
>Then, Ferguson listens for traffic on the perpendicular street,
>the one
>she is not crossing, to start up. That tells her the pedestrian
>light
>has changed to signal her to cross the street. Then she crosses,
>keeping
>an ear out for cross traffic to make sure she's not veering into
>its
>path.
>
>But, a new accessible pedestrian signal recently installed
>downtown
>greatly simplifies that for Ferguson, even more than the existing
>accessible signal near St. Mary Medical Center, she said.
>
>This type of accessible signal is the first of its kind in the
>city and
>has been a long time in coming. Frank Nicholson, a city utility
>engineer, remembers first discussing it with members of the local
>blind
>community more than two years ago.
>
>At the time, the city set its sights on putting in three of them,
>Nicholson recalled. But that was when he thought they could be
>attached
>to existing poles by city employees. He estimated each
>intersection at
>about $5,000.
>
>More recently, Ferguson and Nicholson consulted an expert from a
>national guide dog training school. The consultant recommended
>the new
>signals and said research backed him up.
>
>But that meant a contractor had to dig up each intersection,
>upping the
>price tag to $20,000 an intersection.
>
>In the meantime, people started fund raising. The city received a
>$7,000
>grant from the Washington Council for the Blind. The United Blind
>of
>Walla Walla
>kicked in $500.
>
>The Delta Gamma sorority, including members of the Whitman
>College
>chapter as well as local alumnae, took on the project. The
>national
>sorority's philanthropic focus is vision.
>
>Through annual rummage sales, alumnae raised $4,200, said Peggy
>Curtis,
>president of the local alumnae group and adviser to the Whitman
>chapter.
>Students chauffeured wine tasters, raked leaves and washed cars
>to raise
>another $1,920.
>
>The city's Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee sold $2,000 in
>ads for
>a bicycle map it produces. The city kicked in the rest. ``We had
>a lot
>of partners,'' Nicholson said.
>
>Ferguson seemed to think it was worth every penny, as she
>explained the
>advantages of the new signals installed at Second Avenue and Main
>Street.
>
>The signals are posted on eight, free-standing poles, two on each
>corner. Each emits a continual tone, which helps blind people
>find them.
>
>Each pole is aligned with the edge of a crosswalk, helping people
>line
>up with the crosswalk. An arrow on the pole's button points them
>in the
>right direction.
>
>Holding the button in gives them another clue: a voice says which
>street
>they are crossing and at which intersection. Currently, a voice
>announces when the walk light comes on. For those with hearing
>problems,
>the button vibrates while the walk light is lit.
>
>But on Wednesday, an expert will be in town to reset the walk
>tone and
>train staff on the signals. Rather than a voice, a whistle
>followed by
>tones that sound like someone knocking on wood will signify the
>walk
>light is lit.
>
>Unlike the cuckoo or chirp of other accessible signals, this tone
>is
>designed to be less distracting, Ferguson explained. People
>standing
>nearby will hear it, but ``it doesn't have to be so loud
>everybody has
>to hear it.''
>
>The signal is the first of what one day will be many. The city
>has made
>it the standard, Nicholson said. Any new or rebuilt intersection
>will
>include them. As part of Isaacs Avenue improvements, crews are
>installing the signals at the new Tausick Way traffic light.
>
>``I'm pleased as punch,'' Ferguson said of the new signal and the
>prospect of more. ``We're pleased the city did take our
>suggestion to go
>with what I think everyone will be happy with.''
>
>But one thing could make her happier: raising money to put the
>signals
>at existing intersections. ``We're hoping the city will budget
>for it
>over time. We'd like to see some private funding and maybe some
>grants.''
>
>The Delta Gamma sorority will continue to fund-raise for the
>signals,
>including accepting donations at Baker Boyer Bank.
>
>Ferguson thinks those efforts benefit ``not just the three or 10
>or 20
>blind people here right now,'' but also blind people who may
>visit or
>move here or residents who develop macular degeneration.
>
>``We have a broader vision for this,'' Ferguson said.
>
>RIBBON-CUTTING
>
>A ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate installation of the
>city's
>latest accessible pedestrian signal is set for Sept. 19 at 9 a.m.
>at the
>intersection of Second Avenue and Main Street.
>
>HOW TO HELPThe Delta Gamma sorority has set up a fund at Baker
>Boyer
>Bank to accept donations toward installing more accessible
>pedestrian
>signals in the city. Donations may be made to the Delta Gamma
>Crosswalk
>Fund.
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Wcb-l mailing list
>Wcb-l at wcbinfo.org
>http://wcbinfo.org/mailman/listinfo/wcb-l_wcbinfo.org
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Wcb-l mailing list
>Wcb-l at wcbinfo.org
>http://wcbinfo.org/mailman/listinfo/wcb-l_wcbinfo.org
>_______________________________________________
>nfbwatlk mailing list
>nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbwatlk
>
Michael J. Mello
1407 N.E. 56TH ST.
Seattle Wa 98105
mike at mello.com
Cell: (208) 301-0565
Home: (206) 906-9858
Work: (206) 553-2328
_______________________________________________
nfbwatlk mailing list
nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbwatlk
-------------- next part --------------
WE have no chapter there.
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From:
mailto:mike at mello.com Mike Mello
To:
mailto:nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
Sent:
Monday, September 24, 2007 9:37 AM
Subject:
Re: [nfbwatlk] FW: [Wcb-l] story on accessible signals
This makes me sick! $20000 for one! I think we need to do something
before this virus spreds to the rest of the state. Do we have a voice
in the planning process?
-Mike Mello
>----Original Message----
>From: mailto:Doug.Trimble at wssb.wa.gov Doug.Trimble at wssb.wa.gov
>Date: Sep 24, 2007 8:48
>To: "NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List"< mailto:nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
>
>Subj: [nfbwatlk] FW: [Wcb-l] story on accessible signals
>
>FYI,
>
>Doug Trimble
>Orientation & Mobility Instructor
>Off Campus Work Advisor
>Washington State School for the Blind
>2214 E. 13th Street Vancouver, WA 98661
>office ph. 360-696-6321 #118
>cell:360-909-0833
>-----Original Message-----
>From: mailto:wcb-l-bounces at wcbinfo.org wcb-l-bounces at wcbinfo.org
[mailto:wcb-l-bounces at wcbinfo.org] On
>Behalf Of Sue Ammeter
>Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2007 11:25 PM
>To: Joleen; mailto:wcb-l at wcbinfo.org wcb-l at wcbinfo.org
>Subject: Re: [Wcb-l] story on accessible signals
>
>Hi all,
>
>I want to congratulate Joleen and the United Blind of Walla Walla for
>being
>so proactive! This project is a great example of how we can partner
>with
>others to accomplish something that benefits our local communities.
>Good
>work all!
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Joleen" < mailto:cjferg at charter.net cjferg at charter.net
>
>To: < mailto:wcb-l at wcbinfo.org wcb-l at wcbinfo.org
>
>Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2007 9:35 PM
>Subject: [Wcb-l] story on accessible signals
>
>
>Hi All,
>
>Here is an article that appeared in our local paper, Walla Walla
>Union Bulletin.
>
>New signals cater to blind
>The signals feature a push button with audible directions for
>sight-impaired users.
>By Kathy Korengel of the Union-Bulletin
>
>When Joleen Ferguson crosses the street, she first needs to know
>if a
>pedestrian signal graces that corner.
>
>Ferguson waits with her companion animal Sydney at the corner of
>Second
>Avenue and Main Street after pushing the crosswalk button. U-B
>photo by
>Matthew B. Zimmerman
>Then she has to find the pole with the button to push to change
>the
>signal. She has to find the button. Maybe her guide dog, Sydney,
>can
>help her find it, Ferguson said during a recent interview.
>
>Sydney, an adorable golden retriever, lay at her feet as she
>talked.
>
>Then, Ferguson listens for traffic on the perpendicular street,
>the one
>she is not crossing, to start up. That tells her the pedestrian
>light
>has changed to signal her to cross the street. Then she crosses,
>keeping
>an ear out for cross traffic to make sure she's not veering into
>its
>path.
>
>But, a new accessible pedestrian signal recently installed
>downtown
>greatly simplifies that for Ferguson, even more than the existing
>accessible signal near St. Mary Medical Center, she said.
>
>This type of accessible signal is the first of its kind in the
>city and
>has been a long time in coming. Frank Nicholson, a city utility
>engineer, remembers first discussing it with members of the local
>blind
>community more than two years ago.
>
>At the time, the city set its sights on putting in three of them,
>Nicholson recalled. But that was when he thought they could be
>attached
>to existing poles by city employees. He estimated each
>intersection at
>about $5,000.
>
>More recently, Ferguson and Nicholson consulted an expert from a
>national guide dog training school. The consultant recommended
>the new
>signals and said research backed him up.
>
>But that meant a contractor had to dig up each intersection,
>upping the
>price tag to $20,000 an intersection.
>
>In the meantime, people started fund raising. The city received a
>$7,000
>grant from the Washington Council for the Blind. The United Blind
>of
>Walla Walla
>kicked in $500.
>
>The Delta Gamma sorority, including members of the Whitman
>College
>chapter as well as local alumnae, took on the project. The
>national
>sorority's philanthropic focus is vision.
>
>Through annual rummage sales, alumnae raised $4,200, said Peggy
>Curtis,
>president of the local alumnae group and adviser to the Whitman
>chapter.
>Students chauffeured wine tasters, raked leaves and washed cars
>to raise
>another $1,920.
>
>The city's Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee sold $2,000 in
>ads for
>a bicycle map it produces. The city kicked in the rest. ``We had
>a lot
>of partners,'' Nicholson said.
>
>Ferguson seemed to think it was worth every penny, as she
>explained the
>advantages of the new signals installed at Second Avenue and Main
>Street.
>
>The signals are posted on eight, free-standing poles, two on each
>corner. Each emits a continual tone, which helps blind people
>find them.
>
>Each pole is aligned with the edge of a crosswalk, helping people
>line
>up with the crosswalk. An arrow on the pole's button points them
>in the
>right direction.
>
>Holding the button in gives them another clue: a voice says which
>street
>they are crossing and at which intersection. Currently, a voice
>announces when the walk light comes on. For those with hearing
>problems,
>the button vibrates while the walk light is lit.
>
>But on Wednesday, an expert will be in town to reset the walk
>tone and
>train staff on the signals. Rather than a voice, a whistle
>followed by
>tones that sound like someone knocking on wood will signify the
>walk
>light is lit.
>
>Unlike the cuckoo or chirp of other accessible signals, this tone
>is
>designed to be less distracting, Ferguson explained. People
>standing
>nearby will hear it, but ``it doesn't have to be so loud
>everybody has
>to hear it.''
>
>The signal is the first of what one day will be many. The city
>has made
>it the standard, Nicholson said. Any new or rebuilt intersection
>will
>include them. As part of Isaacs Avenue improvements, crews are
>installing the signals at the new Tausick Way traffic light.
>
>``I'm pleased as punch,'' Ferguson said of the new signal and the
>prospect of more. ``We're pleased the city did take our
>suggestion to go
>with what I think everyone will be happy with.''
>
>But one thing could make her happier: raising money to put the
>signals
>at existing intersections. ``We're hoping the city will budget
>for it
>over time. We'd like to see some private funding and maybe some
>grants.''
>
>The Delta Gamma sorority will continue to fund-raise for the
>signals,
>including accepting donations at Baker Boyer Bank.
>
>Ferguson thinks those efforts benefit ``not just the three or 10
>or 20
>blind people here right now,'' but also blind people who may
>visit or
>move here or residents who develop macular degeneration.
>
>``We have a broader vision for this,'' Ferguson said.
>
>RIBBON-CUTTING
>
>A ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate installation of the
>city's
>latest accessible pedestrian signal is set for Sept. 19 at 9 a.m.
>at the
>intersection of Second Avenue and Main Street.
>
>HOW TO HELPThe Delta Gamma sorority has set up a fund at Baker
>Boyer
>Bank to accept donations toward installing more accessible
>pedestrian
>signals in the city. Donations may be made to the Delta Gamma
>Crosswalk
>Fund.
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Wcb-l mailing list
>Wcb-l at wcbinfo.org
>http://wcbinfo.org/mailman/listinfo/wcb-l_wcbinfo.org
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Wcb-l mailing list
>Wcb-l at wcbinfo.org
>http://wcbinfo.org/mailman/listinfo/wcb-l_wcbinfo.org
>_______________________________________________
>nfbwatlk mailing list
>nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
>http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbwatlk
>
Michael J. Mello
1407 N.E. 56TH ST.
Seattle Wa 98105
mailto:mike at mello.com mike at mello.com
Cell: (208) 301-0565
Home: (206) 906-9858
Work: (206) 553-2328
_______________________________________________
nfbwatlk mailing list
mailto:nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbwatlk http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbwatlk
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