I guess how we think about these signals has much to do with whether we believe in modifying the physical environment or equipping ourselves to deal with the environment as it exists, and that's a question we're not ever going to solve on this List or elsewhere I suspect. I do though think, that one really inexpensive solution might be to outfit button poles with something really simple, like say a portable wireless doorbell from Radio Shack. Then, we could just carry the bransmitters and press their button when we wanted to find a pole. This way there'd be no constant noise, which can be annoying enough that it facilitates vandalism in some cases, and this wouldn't require a bunch of "special" gadgetry.
Bill Stephan Kansas Citty MO Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: (816)803-2469 ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom Fowle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Friday, August 1, 2008 8:51 am Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] A possible mobility aid > This may be getting off topic, but the system adopted in San Francisco > is such that the push buttons are on poles that ding all the time. > They're supposed to be just louder than ambient sound so you can > find > them if you're close. The button is a big rubber arrow that is > supposed to show you the direction of the cross walk. When the > signal goes to > walk, this button vibrates which you can feel, and makes a pretty > obnoxious clacking noise. > > A fully "talking sign" equipped intersection is even better, but > yes you have to > carry a receiver and learn to use it. Advantages include a system > thatis not invasive to the noise environment. > > If you're not carefull with demanding manufacturers solve the > problem, what you > may get is tactile strips that are supposed to lead you to the button. > > If you think that's a good idea come to my neighborhood > where a smooth sidewalk is a rareity > and so any stupid tactile marking is seen as just > another busted up sidewalk. > > As you can see, there is no really good solution except > to get rid of the bloody cars------ Hmmm, not a bad > idea <GRIN> > > No, horses would be worse! > > Tom fowle > >
