FLINT, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – People who are blind or have visual impairments will soon have another layer of safety as they cross streets in downtown Flint.
The city of Flint announced three audible crosswalk devices have been installed on Saginaw Street at the Union, Kearsley, and First Street intersections.
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The devices are called Audible Pedestrian Signal (APS) beacons, are designed to give blind or visually impaired pedestrians the same information that would be available to a sighted person while crossing the street.
Members of the Flint and Genesee chapter of the National Federation of the Blind presented the idea to Mayor Sheldon Neeley. The APS beacons announce the street name and the walk sign, counting down loudly and clearly for pedestrians to cross.
Three more APS beacons will be installed at Second, Third, and Fourth Streets soon. Funds for the technology came from a $72,000 grant from The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
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