Legislative Hotlines, Current Issues for Blind Persons
CALIFORNIA CONNECTION:
800-221-6359, after 5 PM and weekends
WASHINGTON CONNECTION:
800-424-8666, 3-9 PM and weekends
DISCLAIMER: This publication contains announcements from the Silicon Valley Council of the Blind and is also a forum for opinions relating to blindness issues. Signed articles reflect the views, and research, of their authors.
STATUS: SVCB is a 501(c)3 non-profit, tax-exempt organization under the California Council of the Blind.
Monthly in-person meetings are held at the Santa Clara Valley Blind Center (Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired San Jose). Meetings run from 9:30 AM to 1 PM, the third Saturday of the month and are open to all.
We welcomed Derek Yee, Associate Engineer, Traffic Signal Design Project and Construction Support with the City of San José Department of Transportation, as our program speaker. Our members learned a great deal about how the department maintains controlled intersections, including Audible Pedestrian Signals and truncated domes. We were impressed with Derek's understanding of the needs of blind and low-vision travelers in his area. A recording of his presentation will be posted on the Silicon Valley Council of the Blind webpage at
https://svcb.cc.
During the meeting, we also elected our delegate and alternate to represent our chapter at the upcoming 2026 CCB Virtual Conference and Convention. Deborah Armstrong will serve as our delegate, and John Glass will serve as the alternate. We encourage all members to join the outstanding programs planned, and to participate in the business sessions of the convention.
The pre-convention launches on April 16 at 7:00 p.m. with "Keys to Convention), an interactive session to learn all about how to get the most out of our Conference and Convention. The main event begins on Thursday, April 30, and runs through Sunday, May 3. If you prefer to register with assistance, you may contact the CCB Office at
800-221-6359.
Nicole, the Office Manager, will be happy to assist you. Registration is $40.
"O dear, I was having so much fun with Calvin in that heavenly snow field. I mean, you couldn't ask for more there. But I guess there has to be an end to everything, even though heaven is supposed to be eternal."
Well, King, I didn't know you knew about eternity.
"Master, you described it during a long walk, and I thought it was so cool, so I expected it."
Well, I should have left that one alone; it's kinda much for a poor dog.
"I sent a feeler to Calvin, and he said not to worry: The strangeness of humans is not for us to grok."
And so it is! David Hoffman is our Membership Chair, but now he has a new job and little time for writing. So, I reclaimed the job.
As you probably know, the SVCB newsletter sometimes encounters wild distribution problems. So, it was decided to develop an email list devoted specifically to the distribution of the newsletter. If you want to continue getting the newsletter via email, contact Rob Turner or Mike Keithley to be subscribed.
We don't know what's on for the April meeting, but you can watch the Phone Tree for that. You can be sure we'll be talking about the CCB convention.
Let's wish happy April birthdays to Debbe Armstrong, Linda Macleod, Anna Bolino, John McNulty, Deb Runyan, and an old Timer, Dawn Wilcox. We used to hear from "Dawn from the north" on our social hours. Check the Event Calendar and join us every Wednesday at 4PM!
Lolly Osborne passed early in March. Lolly and the Delta Gama were instrumental in organizing SVCB christmas parties in the 1990s and early 2000s.
-FAA survey
The Federal Aviation Administration's survey for passengers with disabilities regarding aircraft evacuations is now live. Please follow the link below to participate and provide your input. This is an important opportunity to offer the experiences of blind and low vision airline passengers.
The text of the Same-Day Paratransit Innovation Act is not yet up on Congress.gov. However, you can use the links below to find more information on the text of the bill.
-Link to Congresswoman Simon's press release, which includes links to the one-pager and bill text
At our SVCB March meeting, we heard from Derek Yee, Associate Engineer in Traffic Signal Design, Project, and Construction Support for the City of San José Department of Transportation. The discussion centered on controlled intersections, defined as intersections regulated by traffic signals. Within that framework, the focus was on safety features that have the greatest impact on mobility for blind individuals: Audio Pedestrian Signals (APS), truncated domes, and "ladder" (or "piano") crosswalks.
Audio Pedestrian Signals (APS) include sound-based features that help pedestrians determine when it is safe to cross. These systems provide audio cues indicating which street is being crossed and when the walk signal is active. They also include push buttons to activate the APS features, a back panel aligned with the direction of travel along the crosswalk, and sufficient lead time to allow safe crossing.
Truncated domes are the raised, textured surfaces located at curb ramps. These tactile indicators help pedestrians identify the edge of the curb and orient themselves at intersections.
Ladder, (or "piano") crosswalks are marked with parallel lines resembling a ladder across the street. Research shows these designs are more visible to both pedestrians and drivers, improving overall safety.
The city of San José has more than 1,000 intersections that it is working to upgrade with these features. Importantly, if a blind individual contacts Derek or the Department of Transportation to request any of these improvements, the request can be fast-tracked and scheduled sooner. Crosswalk upgrades are also often completed when streets are resurfaced, but notifying the department in advance helps ensure these improvements are included.
It was clear that Derek is highly committed to accessibility for the blind community. He has independently advocated for installing a controlled intersection and/or APS across the street from Vista Center San José. This would provide safer access for individuals traveling to and from the center, particularly those using public transportation.
To request improvements for a controlled intersection, or to report pedestrian crossing concerns in San José, call
408-794-1900.
This is the main dispatch number, and callers will be connected with the appropriate department. Alternative contact is by email at
Streets.Dispatch@sanjoseca.gov.
Overall, this was a highly informative presentation, and Derek is a valuable ally for the community.
When prompted for a participant code, press the Pound key.
Note that the above Zoom call-in information is used for SVCB's virtual link to monthly in-person membership meetings.
2. Shows Described by AudioVision Bay Area
For all productions (Golden Gate, Orpheum Theatres, Broadway San Francisco, and Broadway San Jose), tickets are generally on sale four weeks before the production opens. To charge tickets and reserve receivers, call:
888-746-1799
(SHN Theaters), or fax your order to:
415-581-2121
and ask for AudioVision tickets. If you have any questions, please email:
didisalvo@msn.com
or visit:
www.theaudiovision.org.
3. TheatreWorks, with descriptions by Gravity Access Services.
Pre-register for tickets that include a free "show talk" 30 minutes before the show at the TheatreWorks box office at:
650-436-1960
or email:
boxoffice@theatreworks.org.
Shows are at the Lucie Stern Theatre or the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. A webpage with a listing of audio-described shows is at:
www.theatreworks.org/venues/accessibility.
4. San Francisco LightHouse
To hear weekly events at the San Francisco LightHouse, call:
415-694-7325.
5. Let's Talk Low Vision
The monthly "Let's Talk Low Vision" conferences are held on the third Tuesday of the month at 8:30 PM Eastern. Archives are at the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI) Official website at:
www.cclvi.info/archive-lets-talk-low-vision/.
Zoom information is distributed through the ACB Community Schedule email list, or by emailing:
cclviwebmaster@gmail.com.
6. Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors
Departs every Sunday at noon from Pier 40 in San Francisco. Call:
415-281-0212
for information and reservations, or visit:
www.baads.org.
7. Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP)
BORP believes that everyone should have access to the unique challenges that outdoor recreation provides, and makes every effort to accommodate each person's needs, including providing transportation and volunteer support. For event listings, call Lori Gray at:
510-843-4398
or visit:
www.borp.org.
-Calendar
April
April 7, 5:30 to 7 PM: Breast cancer support group meeting. For questions, call Lori Scharff at:
516-887-1336
or email:
lorischarff@gmail.com.
April 18, 9:30 AM to 1 PM: SVCB monthly membership meeting, Vista San Jose. Schedule your departure ride to arrive before 1 PM.
April 20: May newsletter deadline.
April 26, 2 PM: Come From Away, with descriptions by Gravity, MVCPA, see notes.
April 30: Annual CCB Convention opening day.
May: Healthy Vision Month
May 3, 1 PM: Les Misérables with descriptions by AudioVision, SJCPA, see notes.
May 5, 5:30 to 7 PM: Breast cancer support group meeting.
May 7, 7:30 to 9 PM: SVCB Board meeting. All members invited, contact Alice Turner.
May 16, 9:30 AM to 1 PM: SVCB monthly meeting, Vista Center San Jose. Schedule your ride to leave before 1 PM.