*Status: The RIAS MAP has been developed as an amendment to The Highway Bill (TEA-LU), in The House of Representatives proposed as The Baker Amendment to H.R. 3550, Section 3045 (see below).
THE NEED:
Sighted individuals without cognitive disabilities take signs and landmarks for granted. Navigating unfamiliar public places and using public transportation require the use of maps and the reading of print signs. Without access to such wayfinding information, individuals with visual, cognitive or learning disabilities face the nearly insurmountable task of orientation to and the navigation through the built environment and public transit systems.
THE TECHNOLOGY:
Invented in 1981 at the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute and researched, developed and evaluated through the next decade, remote infrared audible signage provides permanent directional wayfinding information through the installation of infrared transmitters that broadcast repeating human voice messages that identify critical locations and public transit vehicles. Users with visual, cognitive or learning disabilities perceive these messages using small, hand-held or head-mounted receivers that announce the recorded human voice messages transmitted silently over invisible infrared light. The technology has been evaluated extensively and has consistently demonstrated its viability and effectiveness and has received a universal and enthusiastic welcome by intended users worldwide.
INSTALLATIONS:
Remote infrared audible signage has been developed into mature, commercial technology by Talking Signs, Inc., a corporation established to disseminate this innovative and powerful access system. Installations have included numerous settings and public transit systems in cities throughout the U.S., Japan, Norway and Canada. However, nowhere is there a comprehensive, inter-modal, seamless system of Talking Signs remote infrared audible sign technology that allows individuals with visual, cognitive or learning disabilities to travel unfamiliar public transit systems and public places without assistance.
THE RIAS MODEL ACCESSIBILITY PROJECT:
This national project would establish the first city to enjoy an inter-modal demonstration of remote infrared audible signage throughout all public transit modalities including signs on all busses and throughout the regional transit system--on all trains and in all stations. The RIAS Model Accessibility Project will demonstrate the efficacy of the comprehensive inter-modal application of this proven access system and will provide a test bed for additional research heretofore not possible concerning its impact on education, community integration, employment and general quality of life that accessible travel provides. Further, an evaluation of the impact of this mainline transit access on the reduction of dependency on paratransit services will be explored. The Department of Transportation (FTA and FRA), San Francisco's BART and MUNI systems, Seattle Sound Transit, Lansing, Michigan's Capital Area Transit Authority and Cal Train have, for the past decade, followed and participated in the development and deployment of this liberating technology.
ENDORSEMENTS:
The RIAS Model Accessibility Project has received endorsements through formal resolutions passed at the 2003 National Conventions of both the American Council of the Blind and the Blinded Veterans Association. Further, The National Catholic Office for People with Disabilities strongly supports this pilot research and demonstration project. The Chairman of the Division of Orientation and Mobility of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired has sent a letter endorsing the project.
02-17-04.
AMENDMENT TO H.R. 3550
Offered By: MR. BAKER
FINAL AMENDMENT:
After section 3044 in title III of the bill, insert the following (and conform the table of contents of the bill accordingly):
SEC. 3045. PILOT PROGRAM FOR REMOTE INFRARED AUDIBLE SIGNS
(a) IN GENERAL.-The Secretary shall establish and carry out, using funds otherwise made available to the Secretary from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund, a pilot program to determine the benefits of Remote Infrared Audible Signs for provision of wayfinding and information to people who are visually, cognitively, or learning disabled.
(b) USE OF ASSISTANCE.-Any assistance provided under this section during fiscal years 2004 through 2009 may be used for the installation of, and operating assistance for, Remote Infrared Audible Sign Technology.
(c) REPORT.-
(1) IN GENERAL.-Not later than October 1, 2009, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate a report on the pilot program carried out under this section.
(2) CONTENTS.-The report-
(A) shall include-
(i) an evaluation of the effect of the pilot program on multi-modal accessibility in public transportation;
(ii) an evaluation of the effect of the program on operators of public transportation and their passengers;
(iii) an evaluation of the effect of making public transportation accessible to people with visual, cognitive, and learning disabilities on ridership of public transportation and use of paratransit; and
(iv) an evaluation of the effect of the program on the education, community integration, work life, and general quality of life of the targeted populations.