Accessibility=convenience: Difference between revisions

Added paragraph to Problems for Everyone section explaining what can happen if public infrastructure is not well-developed.
Updated page with more references.
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=== The Problem for Everyone ===
=== The Problem for Everyone ===


Lack of choice in public transportation options usually results in [[car|cars]] or other personal vehicles being the only option available. This is a deal breaker for Blind People of course, as it is impossible to drive a normal vehicle without vision. Corporations and organizations have been investing in specialized vehicles for years, including cars with vibration motors in the steering wheel so that blind people can feel obstacles coming up, as well as self-driving vehicles. However, these solutions either fall into the trap of not being production ready yet, or having caveats that require the driver to have a valid driver's license and the ability to appropriately manage the vehicle should something go wrong with the system.
Lack of choice in public transportation options usually results in [[car|cars]] or other personal vehicles being the only option available. This is a deal breaker for Blind People of course, as it is impossible to drive a normal vehicle without vision. Corporations and organizations have been investing in specialized vehicles for years, including cars with vibration motors in the steering wheel so that blind people can feel obstacles coming up<ref>[[https://www.afb.org/aw/12/4/15947 This article from the American Foundation for the Blind]], [[https://kdl.org/blogs/post/breaking-barriers-the-blind-driver-challenge/ this one from the Kent Digital Library]], and [[https://drivingtoindependence.com/blind-driver-challenge-independence/ this one from Driving To Independence]] talks about the NFB's initiative to create a vehicle that blind people can drive. However, no solid statement was given as to how much progress has been made on this venture, nor is there solid research that proves this to be real definitively.</ref>, as well as self-driving vehicles<ref>[[https://www.tesla.com/fsd]] This official Tesla page talks about their fully autonomous driving features</ref>. However, these solutions either fall into the trap of not being production ready yet, or having caveats that require the driver to have a valid driver's license and the ability to appropriately manage the vehicle should something go wrong with the system.


One crucial detail is commonly forgotten among people who drive: Simply having vision is not enough to drive a vehicle. You must be able to process the presence of obstacles and other drivers on the road and react to their presence within an appropriate timeframe, often being within milliseconds or even microseconds. Not everyone can react that quickly, and as a result, it would be dangerous for those people and the people around them to allow them onto the road. Additionally, owning a personal vehicle comes at a cost that not everyone can afford. If you cannot afford the price, you cannot own or even rent a vehicle, effectively putting you in the same position as someone who is incapable of driving.
One crucial detail is commonly forgotten among people who drive: Simply having vision is not enough to drive a vehicle. You must be able to process the presence of obstacles and other drivers on the road and react to their presence within an appropriate timeframe, often being within milliseconds or even microseconds. Not everyone can react that quickly, and as a result, it would be dangerous for those people and the people around them to allow them onto the road. Additionally, owning a personal vehicle comes at a cost that not everyone can afford. If you cannot afford the price, you cannot own or even rent a vehicle, effectively putting you in the same position as someone who is incapable of driving.