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/