NFB opposes accessible crosswalk in Lawrence, Kan.

From The University Daily Kansan:

Crosswalk signals should be seen and not heard.

That’s the sentiment the local area chapter of the National Federation of the Blind plans to express in an upcoming meeting with city officials August 15. Their concern is the recently installed Accessible Pedestrian Signal at the intersection of Sixth and Massachusetts Streets.

The city installed the automated voice APS in April after a blind citizen requested it in writing for the northeast crosswalk at the intersection.

Jim Canaday, vice president of the Douglas County Area Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, said the APS was hurting citizens who were blind more than helping them.

“A blind person who is travelling independently uses his or her ears to tell when its time to cross and when it’s safe to cross,” Canaday said.

He said the traffic light may turn green but someone may be doing a right turn on red or may not be stopping on a red light. The automated noise masks the vital information he and other blind individuals use to keep themselves from being hit by a car, Canaday said.

Currently, an automated voice repeats the phrase “Crosswalk is on” when the walking signal turns on at the intersection.

Accessible Pedestrian Signals have been mass marketed since the mid-1970s for use in the U.S. as well as in parts of Europe and Asia, according to the National Cooperative Highway Research Project. The types of APS models available range from chirping and beeping noises to automated voices to vibrating surfaces, all of which are designed to provide additional information to the blind community. Canaday disagrees.

“It also gives a negative image about blind people,” Canaday said. “The general public see that signal and they think that blind people need that.”

Kayla Richardson, Wichita sophomore, is blind said she had used the crosswalks that had APS devices that beeped when the walk signal was on, but only every once in a while.

“I think they are useful but sometimes they can’t be as reliable,” Richardson said.

Richardson said that although she also preferred using her ears to determine when it was safe to cross streets, she did not agree with the NFB’s stance on the issue of the APS.

David Woosley, a traffic engineer for the city Lawrence, said this was the first time the city had received this kind of accessibility request, but said that his department was aware of the type of equipment available. He said he had heard from the individual who made the request that it did make crossing the street easier at that particular intersection.

Canaday said he had no ill will toward the city and said he believed they were doing a good thing in accommodating a citizen’s request.

“It surprises a lot of people that the organized blind people are opposed to this and have been fighting this for years,” Canaday said.