In our opening session, Tommy Strasz, Kristy Plesscher and Garret Waldie had us all engaged in creative challenges that we could adapt to use with our students.
[Picture courtesy of Eileen Bischof]
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Janet Barlow Collaboration Initiative: Traffic Engineering and O&M
To begin the day, John Hibbard, PE, the first traffic engineer Janet worked with to explore accessibility issues, talked with O&M participants about traffic signals (pictures to the left courtesy of Dona Sauerburger). Meanwhile, O&M specialists Lukas Franck, Linda Myers, and Jennifer Graham talked with the traffic engineers about pedestrians who are blind and guided them in experiences under blindfold (pictures below courtesy of Dona Sauerburger and Eileen Bischof). Let's get real!
One such challenging intersection is the one pictured above, where wayfinding was made difficult by very long crossings, two skewed crosswalks, channelized right-turn lanes, and curb ramps that did not slope in the direction of travel on the associated crosswalks. Safety was compromised by a leading pedestrian interval with no APS. Jeff Thompson, PE, the engineer at this intersection, was a little surprised at how well Jennifer Graham, COMS was able to analyze and describe the intersection in engineering terms. He made a crossing wearing goggles simulating a 10-degree visual field and appreciated the great challenge of crossing with such limited vision. Jeff stated, "I have new appreciation for what the visually impaired have to deal with when crossing." Another goal of the Collaboration Initiative was to establish relationships between traffic engineers and O&Ms. By the end of the day, engineer Jeff and the O&M specialist from his county exchanged contact information. The engineer in this team is involved in ADA compliance in construction zones. She was amazed and shocked at the intersection geometry in relation to pedestrian safety. After the workshop the engineer requested the pictures of the intersections be emailed to her. Regrouping . . .
Meanwhile, >Beezy Bentzen explained alignment issues to the engineers, showed them tactile guiding strips on the floor, and then took them out to see the installation (pictures below courtesy of Eileen Bischof). All together now!The day concluded with engineers and O&Ms sharing their experiences at the challenging intersections and brainstorming ideas to improve wayfinding and safety. It was gratifying to see the engineers and O&Ms both reveal their "aha!" moments of learning from each other, understanding why some features were so challenging for blind pedestrians and why those features made sense from an engineering standpoint, and how they might be addressed together.In the picture to the right, Lukas Franck and Jen Graham facilitate the discussion.
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Despite the glitches, people loved the conference --
they thought the sessions were fabulous and enjoyed networking in the lounge. |
On the stage: Presenter Doug Gilbert with Stage Manager Sheila Walker invited Christine Telford to share the stage. Messages asking for more information and Christine's email address can be seen in the chat box. In the lounge: After the session, Christine and Mike (in the top boxes) met in the lounge. Other participants from the session saw her and sat down to learn more. Kinyati Gakuhi (bottom left box) was one of those who contacted Christine to learn more. |
(L-R) Dona, Anthony and Susan asked people who plan to use remote instruction after the pandemic to give a thumbs-up, and most of the audience did. Anthony and Dona relax in the lounge with Susan (who is wearing her SOMA 2020 T-shirt) and her husband Kinyatti. |
Sylvia Ekdahl |
Cyndy Greenacre |
Nan McMillan |
Ginette Mora |
Melissa Nielsen |
Sheila Walker |
Courtney Wescott |
Andrea Wallace |
Lindy Ballard |
Jennifer Cruise |
Nan McMillan |
Jack Mitchell |
Anthony Lanzilotti |
Janet Barlow at the table for AER O&M Division's Environmental Access Commmittee, which she chaired for many years and for which she continued to provide leadership and inspiration until her death in 2021. |
Students from the school for the blind made crafts to sell at their table, and were a huge hit! Here they are at the general session with other exhibitors explaining what is at their table. |
Gordon Hudek, who has worked with O&Ms to develop innovative products for Ambutech and supported SOMA for many years. |
Joy Bieder wonders who doesn't love resources?. |
Laura Zierer and Dona Sauerburger invite participants to experience APH's street-crossing simulation program. |
Sarahelizabeth Baguhn shared a research-validated inventory of O&M skills for children. |
Eileen Bischof (right), co-chair of the conference, and Lacey Long, who made and donated the white-cane earrings for the conference. |
Eileen Bischof (left) and Mary Phagan-Kean (aka "saint Mary" for all that she has done to help SOMA succeed!),
show off their Lacey-made cane earrings. |
Stephan Sauerburger and his mother Dona address changing your world - Practices for making a difference.
Dona made this project her mission when Stephan died of anorexia nervosa in 2021.
photo courtesy of Gene Bourquin |
Tara Brown-Ogilvie and Dona Sauerburger enjoy reconnecting during a break. |
Our work is never done! Conference co-chairs Mickey Demalio and Eileen Bischof clean up after the conference. |