FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Annie Chiappetta, President, Westchester Council of the blind (WCBNY) 914-393-6605 president@wcbny.org
Becky Davidson, Vice President, WCBNY 914-243-2210 vicepresident@wcbny.org
Local Blindness Awareness Group brings Street Crossing Challenge to Yonkers
1 June {Yonkers, N.Y.}- The Accessible Pedestrian Signal Coalition of Westchester is hosting its second annual street crossing event on June 1, to show support for Yonkers and its recognition of making streets safer and more accessible to people with disabilities, the APSC of Westchester will be handing out information inside the Riverfront library located at 1 Larkin Plaza from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A traffic systems equipment representative will also be present for demonstrations.
Additionally, an outdoor activity, called “The Blindfold Challenge”, will seek volunteers who are sighted to cross a street nearby using a white cane while also being accompanied by a certified orientation and mobility instructor for the blind. The purpose is to let people feel what it is like to navigate a street crossing without the benefit of vision. Moreover, this helps the community understand how important installing APS signals are for people with disabilities to travel safely and independently in their neighborhood.
Last year, the event was held in front of the County Office building in White Plains and was a media success.
The coalition was formed in 2014 and includes members from State, County, and local Departments of Transportation, blindness organizations, Independent Living Centers, and municipalities working on increasing installations of APS .
According to Westchester Council of the Blind President, Annie Chiappetta, “APS are devices that use audible sounds to assist blind and deaf blind individuals to locate safe crossings at intersections. Audible Locator beacons help target poles with APS buttons and cross walks. Tactile strips identify curbs and ramps to help cross safely.”
To find out more about APS: go to westchestersafestreets.org/
To find out more about the Westchester Council of the blind, go to:
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