Equip for Equality Response to Chicago Tribune Article on Illinois Group Homes Abuse of Adults with Disabilities

Equip for Equality, as the federally-mandated Protection and Advocacy System for people with disabilities in Illinois, is deeply concerned about the tragic stories reported in the Chicago Tribune article, Suffering in Secret (11/17/2016).  Such abuses and deaths are heartbreaking and they occur far too often in state-run institutions, nursing homes and group homes.  This important story illustrates the critical need for a robust and adequately-funded oversight system to address abuse, neglect and quality of care - a system which has been chronically lacking in Illinois for many years.

The challenges facing the state’s oversight system are compounded by Illinois’ failure to invest in community-based services, which has negatively impacted the quality of services and created a shortage of sufficiently trained and qualified staff.   This is certainly apparent from the incidents cited in the Tribune article. Unacceptably low wages for direct service workers in the community has created instability in the workforce and resulted in some workers doing longer shifts than is prudent or safe. 

The problems highlighted in the Tribune article are not an indictment of community living for people with disabilities.  There is powerful and unequivocal support for community living in a large body of research that has consistently documented positive experiences of people with disabilities living in the community.  In a study by UIC’s Institute on Disability and Human Development following the closure of the state-operated Jacksonville Developmental Center downstate, 84% of the family members surveyed were satisfied with life in the community for their family member – and many of these families opposed the closure. See http://ahs.uic.edu/media/uicedu/ahs/documents/dhd/publications/JDC,Closure,Evaluation.pdf    

There is a nationwide movement to substantially reduce reliance on large congregate settings – not simply for budgetary reasons - but because people with disabilities thrive in integrated communities. What was noted by the Tribune’s own Editorial Board on 9-30-11 remains true today:

Illinois' treatment of the developmentally disabled lags way behind the times. Other states have proved convincingly that in most cases, institutionalizing people in big government-run facilities hurts everyone concerned and wastes money. Community-based organizations offer small neighborhood group homes and other varied options for care and generally provide better results at a much lower cost.”

The Tribune’s expose once again demonstrates the urgent need for Illinois to make critical and significant investments in the service and oversight systems to ensure the safety and quality of care for people with disabilities.  In our dual role as the state’s legal advocate for people with disabilities and as an independent watchdog over the service and oversight systems, Equip for Equality urges the state to take decisive and prompt action.  This is critical if further tragedies are to be prevented.

SOURCE: Equip for Equality Press Release on Nov. 18, 2016

ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS ON THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE INVESTIGATION:

• Statement from The Arc of Illinois at this link
• Statement from Access Living (CIL) at this link

DOT 2016 Quiet Car Safety Standard To Protect Pedestrians Who Are Blind or With Low Vision

                       See no danger, hear no danger, think solution

SOURCE:  U.S. Dept. of Transportation Post by NHTSA Administrator Dr. Mark Rosekind | Nov. 17, 2016

For those of us with sight, it may be difficult to truly understand the challenges that some of our peers face on a daily basis. In addition to our sight, we depend on our other senses to alert us to possible danger. 

In many cases, being able to hear a possible danger is equally or more important than seeing it. That’s the logic behind NHTSA’s new sound requirement for all newly-manufactured hybrid and electric vehicles. 

This new federal safety standard will help pedestrians, especially those who are blind or who have low vision, detect the presence, direction and location of these vehicles when they are traveling at low speeds.

We estimate  it will prevent 2,400 pedestrian injuries each year once all hybrids in the fleet are properly equipped.

In the coming years, automakers will start equipping newly manufactured hybrid and electric vehicles with sounds that meet the new federal standard.  The final deadline is Sept. 1, 2019 and half of new hybrids and electrics must be in compliance one year before that. 

Adding sounds is a common-sense tool that will help improve pedestrian safety, but it’s not the only action that needs to be taken. 

Traffic deaths are on the rise in the U.S., and last year alone, we lost 5,376 pedestrians in traffic crashes. Our goal is to reduce that number to zero. 

To get there, it’s vital that motorists and pedestrians take every action to protect their safety and the safety of others. 

In the coming weeks, daylight hours will further decrease, providing less visibility on our roads. I urge motorists and pedestrians to take the following precautions: 

Motorists

• Slow down. During the early morning and evening hours, you need more time to see a pedestrian in your path.
• Obey traffic signals, signs and pay attention – never drive distracted or drunk.
• Keep in mind that pedestrians who are wearing headphones or hats may not hear your vehicle as it approaches.

Pedestrians

• Cross where drivers expect to see you.  That means avoid jaywalking and crossing between parked vehicles.
• When crossing the street, look left-right-left for cars from the curb and use cross walks if available.
• Walk on sidewalks whenever possible. If you must walk on the street, face traffic.
• Wear reflective gear, carry a flashlight or add fluorescent tape to clothing, backpacks, purses, and briefcases. These materials reflect light from headlights back to drivers, making it easier to see you.

Our mission on the Road To Zero requires us to take different approaches. Safety includes everyone in society and working together, we can reach a day when there are no fatalities on the nation’s roadways, sidewalks, and bicycle paths.

For the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, visit: https://www.transportation.gov/

Illinois Group Home Crisis of Abuse and Neglect of Adults with Disabilities Comes To Light

CHICAGO (AP) - Nov. 18, 2016 — As Illinois welcomes thousands of low-income adults with disabilities into private group homes, many cases of abuse and neglect come to light.

After the first all-inclusive accounting of mistreatment inside Illinois' taxpayer-funded group homes and their day programs, the Chicago Tribune (http://trib.in/2g11bPH ) reports of a system where caregivers are failing to provide basic care while regulators conceal harm and death with secrecy and silence. (very good article)
At least 42 deaths linked to abuse and neglect in group homes or their day programs over the last seven years have been found.

The Chicago Tribune's investigation also shows 1,311 cases of documented harm since July 2011 — hundreds more cases of documented harm than publicly reported by Illinois' Department of Human Services.

State of Illinois Human Services officials retracted five years of erroneous reports after confronted with the newspaper's findings.
__

Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com

RELATED POST:
Equip for Equality Response to Chicago Tribune Article on Illinois Group Homes Abuse of Adults with Disabilities

Chicago CTA Holiday Train Schedule 2016

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) 2016 holiday train will once again be bringing joy to boys and girls of all ages, officials said. Santa and his elves will ride the train passing out candy canes and season's greetings.

The spectacular train is an amazing sight - during the daytime and at night. The outside of the six car train is adorned with holiday seasonal images. Thousands of twinkling lights outline the shape of the train and windows, with even more lights running across the tops of the cars.

Interiors of the cars are decked out with thousands of multi-colored lights, red bows, garland, and red and green overhead lighting. The hand poles are wrapped to look like candy canes.

As the train pulls into each station, Santa waves to the boarding passengers from his sleigh on an open-air flatcar carrying his reindeer and decorated holiday trees.

This is the 25th year anniversary of this Chicago holiday tradition.

CTA - 2014 Holiday Train Video

The CTA Holiday Train will run through Dec. 23.

The train generally operates from about 1pm to 8pm on weekends and 3pm to 7pm on select weekdays (schedules for each rail line will vary), and will make stops at all stations along the respective routes. As Time Schedules become available, we will update information

• Nov. 19: Red Line (Schedule)

• Nov. 25-26: Green Line

• Nov. 29: Green and Orange lines

• Nov. 30-Dec. 3: Brown and Orange lines

• Dec. 6-7: Pink Line

• Dec. 8-10: Blue Line

• Dec. 13: Red Line

• Dec. 14: Purple Line

• Dec. 15: Red Line

• Dec. 16: Purple Line

• Dec. 17: Red and Purple lines

• Dec. 22: Purple Line express

• Dec. 23: Yellow Line

The CTA also continues a more-than-20-year agency tradition of supporting Chicago communities. Every year, CTA employees embrace the spirit of the holidays and donate time and money to purchase groceries and assemble food baskets that are distributed to community organizations across the city, and donate approximately 300 food baskets to local community organizations.

Each food basket contains all the ingredients for a complete meal including a canned ham, potatoes, mixed vegetables, muffin mix, macaroni and cheese, fruit cocktail, green beans, corn and dessert. The Holiday Train delivers the food baskets over the holiday season.

Travel Tips

To ensure everyone has an opportunity to see and take part in this annual tradition, here are a few suggested tips to make the most of your Sprint CTA Holiday Train and Bus experience:

• Travel light: with many families making the train a part of their holiday traditions, small collapsible strollers are encouraged so that you and others have an opportunity to board the train.
• Boarding: the train will become more crowded as it travels down the rail line; therefore, we recommend customers consider the following:
  • Board at a station close to the beginning of the route. Unlike other in-service trains, many people who board the train often stay on board until it reaches the terminal—and will take it back home if the train is scheduled to make a return trip.
  • Rail cars toward the front or back of the train will be less crowded compared to those immediately adjacent to Santa’s sleigh.
• Taking photos: if you are planning to ride the train and take photos from a station platform, don’t miss your opportunity to board the train! Board the train first and then plan to take photos of Santa or the train when exiting at your destination. The Spr Holiday Train is an in-service train and has to maintain a service schedule; therefore it cannot dwell at stations for long periods of time.
• 
  

Accessibility: CTA Trains and Buses are accessible for People with Disabilities. Please refer to CTA on availability of CTA Train Stations being accessible [click here].

Priority Seating is intended for people with disabilities of all ages, if there are carts, baby strollers,luggage, etc. in Priority Seating area, ask CTA personnel to make announcement of a Priority Seat is needed. 

For Full Accessibility Information, [click here]

For more from the CTA, visit: http://www.transitchicago.com/

Access Project Presents OUTSIDE/IN : Chicago Nov. 20, 2016

The Access Project at Victory Gardens Presents Outside/In: A Night of Stories Told by Music, Voice, and Hand Sunday, November 20th, 2016 at 7:30 PM In this multi-disciplinary exploration storytellers of all abilities, an ASL interpreter, a butoh dancer, and a violinist converge in a evening of stories on disability. Through tales of fact and fiction these unique voices explore the relationship between body, disability, and spirit. Join the Access Project as we intertwine the inner and the outer self through a night of musical narrative brought to life. Featuring: Amy Kisner, ASL Interpreter Nura Aly, Violinist Wannapa Eubanks, Storyteller and Butoh Dancer Michael Herzovi, Storyteller Arlene Malinowski, Storyteller Kevin D’Ambrosio, Storyteller Tekki Lomnicki, Storyteller Tickets just $10

Victory Gardens Theater 2433 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 Copyright © 2016 Victory Gardens Theater, All rights reserved.

Accessible Shakespeare Performances at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in Winter 2016/2017

Enjoy an Access Shakespeare Performance at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

King Charles III

                                                

TICKETS AS LOW AS $30

with our “Pay-What-You-Can” Access Shakespeare Program

Charles. Camilla. William. Kate. Harry. One family holds the future of Great Britain in its hands. But what will it be? The Queen is dead. The “King-in-waiting” finally ascends the throne. Defying centuries of tradition, Charles boldly attempts to reassert the crown’s power, landing himself—and his country—in a royal mess. Celebrated British actor andDownton Abbey favorite Robert Bathurst takes on the title role in this provocative, insightful political drama. Much like Shakespeare’s captivating history plays, here the men and women of the world’s most famous royal family are revealed to be far more fascinating and complex than their tabloid depictions. After successful productions on London’s West End and Broadway, the 2015 Olivier Award winner for Best New Play makes its highly anticipated Chicago premiere.  Purchase your tickets in advance by calling 312.595.5600.

ASL Duo-interpreted Performance:     
Friday, January 6, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
Interpreted by Sheila Kettering (CI/CT) and Elizabeth Bartlow Breslin (CI/CT)

Open-captioned Performance:     
Thursday, December 29, 2016 at 1:00 p.m.
Friday, December 30, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Captioned by c2

Audio-described Performance/Touch Tour: 
Sunday, December 4, 2016  at 2:00 p.m. (Touch Tour starts at 12:00 p.m.)
Described by Jason Harrington

For more information, please visit www.chicagoshakes.com/charles

Twitter

Attend an #Access Shakespeare Performance of #cstCharlesIII @chicagoshakes Details: http://bit.ly/2fSForo

#cstCharlesIII @chicagoshakes Open-captioned on Dec 29 & 30, Sign-interpreted on Jan 6 & Audio-described on Dec 4 http://bit.ly/2fSForo

# # # 

Enjoy an Audio-described Performance

From the UK: Cheek By Jowl’s

The Winter’s Tale

Saturday, December 17 at 3:00 p.m.

LIMITED AVAILABILITY

TICKETS AS LOW AS $40

with our “Pay-What-You-Can” Access Shakespeare Program

The award-winning British company Cheek by Jowl returns to Chicago with a new production of one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays. Writing The Winter’s Tale after completing his great tragedies, this is a new Shakespeare. Unity of time, place and action are hurled aside as we move across Europe—from court to country, from high tragedy to low comedy—in a story that spans fourteen years. A delusional and paranoid king tears his family apart, but the struggle for redemption yields flickers of hope. Initial darkness gives way to joy as Time leads the characters to a shattering conclusion. Purchase your tickets in advance by calling 312.595.5600.

For more information, please visit www.chicagoshakes.com/winterstale.

Twitter

Enjoy one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays #cstWintersTale—#AudioDescribed Performance Dec 17, 3:00pm @chicagoshakes http://bit.ly/2g8advL

Audio-described Performance of #cstWintersTale @chicagoshakes Dec 17 at 3:00 pm. Details Here: http://bit.ly/2g8advL #Access

# If any more information or performances are announced, we will update post.

Airline Passengers Are Getting Upset Over Fake Service Animal Epidemic

While walking to his gate in an airport, a frequent Delta Air Lines flier snaps three pictures of passengers with emotional support animals

nice article by Ellen Eldridge for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |Nov. 2, 2016

All three are women and all three service animals are small dogs.

One woman, who appears to be in her late 20s, sits at an airport cafe table. She wraps her right arm around her brown dachshund wearing a pink vest.

A second woman, perhaps in her 40s, walks toward the gate in a pink collared shirt and even brighter pink sneakers. Her Pomeranian doesn’t have any sort of service dog vest.

The third woman sits in a seat at the gate, hands folded across her belly and a black and white dog lying across her lap.

service dog on an airplane (Credit Twitter)

Eric Goldmann of Atlanta tries to find out if they are faking a disability to travel without paying a pet fee.

“When I see a dog in the airport, I befriend them,” Goldmann said recently. “I like dogs. I’m allergic, but I like them.”

He said he’s been traveling several times a week for business for about 15 years, but only in the last handful of years has he seen so many pets in airports. Goldmann had taken 142 flights this year by the end of October and said he saw so-called emotional support animals on about 40 percent of the planes.

“It’s the cool, new trend to travel with a pet,” he said.

Delta Air Lines spokeswoman Ashton Morrow said she couldn’t disclose the number of service animals on flights by year.

“Delta complies with the Air Carrier Access Act by allowing customers traveling with emotional support animals or psychiatric service animals to travel without charge in the cabin,” Morrow said. “We reserve the right to review each case and make every effort to accommodate our customers’ travel needs while also taking into consideration the health and safety of other passengers.”

YouTube published by WSB-TV

But people traveling with fake emotional support animals is a growing problem for flight attendants, frequent fliers and people with disabilities who have service animals for medical reasons.

Goldmann said he’s gotten people to admit they pay about $49 for an official certificate from a licensed therapist and another $149 or so for the service animal vest.

Those who bring a pet on an airplane because they are nervous or afraid to fly are not covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Jennifer Schwenker said.

Schwenker is the mother of twin boys with autism and her family has a service dog, Barkley.

“We worked hard to provide Barkley for our boys,” she said. “We work hard yearly to keep him properly trained, make sure he has veterinarian care and is certified yearly through 4 Paws for Ability.”

She said people who pretend to need an animal for support just to travel without paying fees are being disrespectful of those with disabilities.

“When someone says to me, ‘I wish I could bring my dog with me everywhere,’ I ask, ‘What disability would you like to have in order to do this?’ That response always ends that conversation!”

Jen Williams, who has been an Atlanta-based flight attendant since 1996, said she’s seen an incredible increase in support animals in the past year.

emotional support dog in blue vest:Credit Twitter

While pets are allowed on flights, they have to follow more rules than service animals.

Delta charges $125 to bring a dog, cat or household bird on board a domestic flight, excluding Hawaii, and Fido counts as a carry-on item. Passengers must call Delta ahead of time as the number of pets per flight is limited and arrangements are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, according to its website.

Williams said one family, which was planning to travel for a month, followed those rules. They alerted the airline, paid the fee for their 14-pound dog and brought along a kennel because pets are not permitted out of their cages during flights. The dog couldn’t stand up inside the kennel, thus violating the rule. So it was kicked off the flight.

If the family had lied and said their pet was an emotional support animal, they wouldn’t have had to take off without the dog, Williams said.

“It’s definitely gotten carried away to the point where people are taking advantage of the system,” Williams said. “It’s hard when someone is following protocol and they’re not allowed to take the animal out of the cage, but others use the loophole to have an animal sit on their lap.”

The ticket counter agents are responsible for ensuring that a dog has its proper paperwork as a service animal, Williams said. By the time the animal gets to the plane, there is little a flight attendant can do or legally ask.

“It’s getting to be ridiculous,” Williams said. “A co-worker saw a ferret wearing a diaper that was supposedly an emotional support animal.”

She’s seen dogs get loose and use the aisle as a lavatory. A co-worker told Williams a so-called service dog once bit a passenger and medics had to meet the flight when it landed.

“A lady on a flight was allergic, so we moved her away, but she broke out in hives,” Williams said. “A nurse on the flight gave her Benadryl that we wouldn’t have had if she didn’t happen to be on the plane.”

Though Williams said she hopes something will change, she doesn’t expect new regulations. In fact, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport recently added pet relief areas for service animals to be in compliance with a new federal requirement.

http://www.ajc.com/news/crime--law/fake-service-animals-why-airline-passengers-are-upset/foof3Zb7pCLfEtDxj2RjBJ/

For more on the "Fake Service Animal" epidemic, view our  previous posts.

What To Do If You’re Disabled And Facing Prison

article by Helen Campbell, for Ability Chicago Info | Nov. 16, 2016

Going to prison is never an ideal situation. If you’re facing prison as a disabled person, it can be a very difficult situation indeed. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the prison system in general, and whether someone deserves their incarceration or not, Americans with disabilities have legal rights which should be respected by the prison in question. Unfortunately, partly because our prison system is under considerable strain, and partly due to generalised ignorance about the needs of disabled people, these rights are all too frequently not met as they should be. If you or someone you know is disabled and facing prison, and you’re concerned about how their disability will be accommodated, here are a few things you need to know:

Disabled Prisoners Are Entitled To The Same Quality Of Life As Non-Disabled Prisoners

In theory, all other things being equal, prisoners in similar institutions facing similar sentences for similar misdemeanors should experience roughly the same quality of life, and be privy to the same allowances and restrictions. In practice, of course, there are failings and prejudices within the system which prevent this from happening, as well as practical and individual limitations. However, should a prisoner be experiencing pain or distress due to a disability inadequately provided for by the prison system, or have their disability used against them in a punitive context, this could be (and has been) presented as ‘cruel and unusual punishment’. Prisons, therefore, are obliged to be accommodating enough to those with disabilities to bring their quality of life in line with that of more able prisoners. On a similar note, disability accommodations should not allow disabled prisoners a significantly higher quality of life than non-disabled prisoners.

Statutes To Be Aware Of

There are two main statutes to be aware of when it comes to the rights of disabled prisoners. These are:

• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,  29 U.S.C. § 794(a)
• Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12131.

The American prison system being the complex mix of private and public, federal and state that it is, the way in which these statutes are applied varies depending on which prison the prisoner in question is being held in. The Rehabilitation Act applies to federally run or funded prisons, while the Americans With Disabilities Act can be applied more broadly, regardless of federal input into the relevant prison. Basically, both of these statutes prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability, and entitle disabled Americans to equal treatment under the law - including the provision, where appropriate, of disability-friendly infrastructures, equipment, medications and so on. In recent years, the ADA has been amended to allow a far broader interpretation of ‘disability’ than was previously the case, and to prevent wranglings about what, precisely, constituted a ‘disability’ in the first place.

Challenging Discrimination And/Or Lack Of Provision

While statutes exist to protect and enforce the rights of disabled prisoners, it can nonetheless be difficult to bring cases against prisons - particularly from the inside. The culture of authority within many prisons being what it is, making one’s voice heard regarding disability treatments and provisions can be very difficult. This is particularly the case with mental health issues - the treatment of which prisons in America have come under repeated fire for. However, it is not impossible to force prisons to obey to law. To do so, they must prove that they are

1. Disabled according to the definitions of the statutes
2. That their needs pertaining to their disability are not being met, and that their quality of life is impeded as a result
3. And/or that they have been excluded from, received no benefit from, or have otherwise been discriminated against within the prison program due to their disability.
4. If charges are being brought under the Rehabilitation Act, prisoners must additionally show that the institution in which they are being held receives federal funding.

Sometimes, simply raising the issue with prison management, and mentioning the relevant statutes is enough to bring about the required changes. However, should the case progress to court, prisons may be obliged to pay damages to affected prisoners. This aspect is further complicated by the issue of ‘Sovereign Immunity’, which renders states immune from many kinds of monetary lawsuits. However, in many cases, the situation need not reach the courts. Most prisons should be aware of their legal obligations concerning disability and, so long as disability can be adequately proven, and prison management can be forced to listen to complainants, the issues can be solved internally.

# # #

Helen Campbell has been a valued contributor for Ability Chicago Info, previous articles from Helen include:

Some of The World’s Most Wheelchair Friendly Cities 

Disability Friendly Travel Ideas

# Permission to republish article with acknowledge of Helen Campbell as writer, Ability Chicago Info as publisher. TY

ACT NOW To Secure The Right Of People With Disabilities To Live In The Community! ONLINE PETITION

Tell your legislators to act now to protect our rights to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness! The Disability Integration Act (DIA) establishes that disabled people have an equal right under the Constitution to live in freedom! It does this by guaranteeing that our community has the choice to access community based supports and services.

DIA is supported by members of both major parties and introduced by Representative Gibson (R-NY) and Senator Schumer(D-NY), but we need your help to promote this important bill.

Before they head home for Thanksgiving, your legislators should sign on to support our constitutional right to live in the community! Click the link and send a message to your elected representatives asking them to cosponsor DIA!

FREE OUR PEOPLE!

I support freedom! (http://cqrcengage.com/cdrnys/app/take-action?engagementId=261133&ep=AAAAC2Flc0NpcGhlcjAxbQ2BtdFO5WvaTb4Msi0DFOnI75S9Yc1pbGjMRmyUO6YFS9r9ScwiTFh0ULQUFeLfsEONoosxJ2AGMRt95xmxfsv6ZhcSGRVePaOSiyoN5ZQ&lp=0)

SOURCE: Center for Disability Rights
                 National ADAPT

National Federation of the Blind Applauds Issuance of Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act Regulations

Nov. 14, 2016 -- The National Federation of the Blind commented today on the issuance of regulations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to implement the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010, which was passed by Congress and signed by President Obama to protect the blind and other pedestrians from the dangers posed by silent hybrid and electric vehicles.

Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "Having raised concerns on behalf of blind Americans about the dangers posed by silent hybrid and electric vehicles, the National Federation of the Blind is extremely pleased that technical specifications for a safe level of sound to be emitted by such vehicles have now been issued. The full implementation of the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010 will protect all pedestrians, especially the blind, as well as cyclists. This regulation will ensure that blind Americans can continue to travel safely and independently as we work, learn, shop, and engage in all facets of community life."

Studies conducted by NHTSA indicate that, under certain low-speed scenarios, the odds of hybrid and electric vehicles being involved in collisions with pedestrians are thirty-five percent higher than those for comparable internal combustion engine vehicles and that the odds of hybrid and electric vehicles being involved in collisions with cyclists are fifty-seven percent higher than for comparable internal combustion engine vehicles. The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act was passed by unanimous consent in the United States Senate and by an overwhelming bipartisan majority vote of 379 to 30 in the House of Representatives. It was signed by President Obama on January 4, 2011.

About the National Federation of the Blind
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

SOURCE: PRESS RELEASE from  the National Federation of the Blind | Nov. 14, 2016