[passcoalition] Re: Summary from MOPD of Dec 16 Meeting

  • From: "Mindy" <mindyjoy@xxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <passcoalition@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 16:32:01 -0500

Hi Karen and all,

Actually, I did see this and your subsequent post and do think your suggestions 
will work for us.  My concern is still, however, that Matthew and all will get 
so hung up on the APs, that the other regs will take a back seat.  My last 
post, however, seams pretty hasty and should have been a little better thought 
through.

Mindy
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Karen Gourgey 
  To: passcoalition@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2011 6:33 PM
  Subject: [passcoalition] Re: Summary from MOPD of Dec 16 Meeting


  Hi Mindy and all,

   

  I talked with Matthew Puvogel the other day and said I wanted to change the 
flyer to ask people to include in their requests  to include not only APS's, 
but intersections they find dangerous or confusing.  I thought that would get 
us on the road.  

   

  Also, Ms. Newman indicated that she wanted to do things in a systematic way, 
taking everything into account.  Perhaps what we should in sist on is that 
whenever there is a request for an aps, a full review should be conducted.  
Matt wants to do that using the priority tool, and he wants to meet with Gene 
to modify the tool, so that it's appropriate for this environment.  Gene, is 
there a way that when the tool is modified, additional  factors can be added  
that would assure a more wholistic look at each intersection being considered?

   

  Karen

  in

   


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

  From: passcoalition-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
[mailto:passcoalition-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mindy
  Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2011 5:43 PM
  To: passcoalition@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  Subject: [passcoalition] Re: Summary from MOPD of Dec 16 Meeting

   

  Greetings,

   

  I agree with Gene's assessment and am more than a little concerned about this 
concentration on aps, as though none of the other "dangers" exist.  I don't 
believe we can allow ourselves to be held to such a narrow scope of advocacy.  
We must insist on a big picture remedy.  I'm afraid that if we allow Mat's 
understanding of the situation to guide our course, . . .  It's just too scary 
to contemplate.

   

  Don't misunderstand; I realize that we need to start somewhere, but I believe 
the whole problem needs to lie squarely on the table, with all of the parts in 
clear view of the City officials before we start taking what might be random 
steps.

   

  Thanks.

   

  Mindy

    ----- Original Message ----- 

    From: Gene Bourquin DHA 

    To: PASS listserv 

    Sent: Monday, January 31, 2011 4:44 PM

    Subject: [passcoalition] Re: Summary from MOPD of Dec 16 Meeting

     

    I think the summary from Matt is essentially correct.  It contains almost 
nothing about issues other than APS because that's how the meeting went.  I did 
manage to force myself into the discussion but had mere minutes to present on 
detectable warns and other matters in the survey.  It should have been noted 
that DOT was informed by the survey of the many non-compliant installation 
features, especially at bike lanes. 

     

    I am not necessarily opposed to a process and political focus on APS, but 
acting as a technician here, I think that DWS, bulbouts, and other 
architectural changes are as important for blind pedestrian safety.  Perhaps 
more important.

     

    Matt seems intent on keeping the focus on APS, and perhaps we should go 
with that flow.  But as we move forward, the others issues need to be address.  
Knowing when the walk signal begins is good, but knowing where to stand to 
cross or when you are stepping into a bicycle lane are too.  Smile.

    Gene 
     
    Dr. Eugene A Bourquin 
    _____________________________ 
    DHA, COMS, CI & CT, CLVT
     
     
    Support deafblind children in Guatemala!
    Go to www.FRIENDSofFUNDAL.org 

     

    Visit: http://www.bourquinconsulting.com/







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

    Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:20:41 -0800
    From: cclvi@xxxxxxxxx
    Subject: [passcoalition] Re: Summary from MOPD of Dec 16 Meeting
    To: passcoalition@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

          Can a PASS member who was there respond with documentation of other 
content that is important to us?  ...such as what you note, Karen, and any 
commitments D of T made.

          --- On Mon, 1/31/11, Karen Gourgey <karen.gourgey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
wrote:


          From: Karen Gourgey <karen.gourgey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
          Subject: [passcoalition] Summary from MOPD of Dec 16 Meeting
          To: "'passcoalition@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'" <passcoalition@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
          Date: Monday, January 31, 2011, 1:54 PM



          Hi Everyone,

          Below is the summary of the Dec 16 meeting furnished by Matthew 
PuVogel of the Mayor's Office for people with disabs. My concern with it is the 
limited exposure given to the other needed accommodations like detectable 
warnings, and, of course, it sounds like folks still don't understand LPI's.  
I'll also send the flyer they want to send to the community.  I want to respond 
to Matthew tomorrow morning  So, if you have comments, please let me know by 
this evening if at all possible.

          Thanks.

          Karen, (see below for MOPD summary. 


                                        On December 16, 2010 The Mayor's Office 
for People with Disabilities met with the Department of Transportation and the 
Coalition of Pedestrians for Accessible Safe Streets (PASS) to discuss the new 
DOJ criteria to be utilized when installing Accessible Pedestrian Signals, and 
the below summarizes the basic working approach for proceeding.

          All new installations of lights in New York City will now be 
evaluated using the complete Department of Justice criteria, and if they are 
deemed to be a priority, an Accessible pedestrian signal will be installed.

          It was determined that PASS requests should be submitted to the 
Department of Transportation Borough Commissioner and a copy sent to MOPD.

          To start with a baseline, it is necessary to know where the signals 
have been installed to date, and if and when the complete Department of Justice 
standards have been followed when installing accessible pedestrian signals.

          Further, too meet the unique urban setting that is New York City, 
modifications to the DOJ criteria should be considered,   and MOPD and PASS 
will examine the tool and provide comments on how the DOJ criteria can be 
modified. 

          As DOT strives to improve pedestrian safety, such changes in 
intersection design and signalization continue to make the pedestrian phase of 
street crossings increasingly difficult for people with vision loss.  

          Changes include intersections with multiple lanes, irregular shapes 
and complicated phasing.  

          Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities will continue to partner 
with PASS concerning additional pedestrian matters such as Leading Pedestrian 
Intervals (LPI), pedestrian plazas, and the installation of bike lanes. 
          The statements above attempt to provide a brief summary of the 
conversation of December 16, and set forth some steps to get momentum generated 
on accessible signals, and to assure that other identified matters of safety 
are flagged for future strategic planning discussions.  The above does not 
assert to include all of the details or opinions expressed at the meeting or in 
accompanying documents, or to include all of the critical safety issues to be 
explored in future planning partnerships.  






          Karen Luxton Gourgey Ed.D., Director
          Computer Center for Visually Impaired People
          Baruch College, City University of New York
          One Bernard Baruch Way, Box H-0648
          New York, NY 10010
          Phone: (646) 312-1426
          Fax: (646) 312-1421
          http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/ccvip/





         

     

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