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Fall/Winter 2008 Bulletin

ICUB BULLETIN

FALL/WINTER 2008

Published by

IOWA COUNCIL OF THE UNITED BLIND

Web Site: www.acb.org/iowa

Affiliate of the American Council of the Blind


Robert Spangler, President

1505 W. 4th St.

Vinton, IA 52349

(319) 472-4843

E-MAIL: Ka0wjz@comspeed.net


Stephanie Hunolt, Editor

1016 Millwood Dr. Apt D

KIRKSVILLE, MO 63501

(660) 665-2404

E-MAIL: msmouse74@sbcglobal.net


Donna Seliger, Treasurer

3912 S.E. 5th St.

Des Moines, IA 50315

(515) 284-0505 – home

(515) 360-6949 – cell

E-MAIL: dseliger@worldnet.att.net


Jo Ann Slayton, Secretary

4013 30th St.

Des Moines, IA 50310

(515) 279-4284 – home

(515) 710-7875 – cell

Slayton4284@msn.com




ICUB OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS


Robert Spangler, President - Vinton, (319) 472-4843

Mike Hoenig, Immediate Past President - Davenport, (563) 344-8787

Dee Clayton, First Vice President - Pleasantville, (515) 848-5007

Barb Richmond, Second Vice President - Iowa City, (319) 358-9894

Jo Ann Slayton, Secretary - Des Moines, (515) 279-4284

Donna Seliger, Treasurer - Des Moines, (515) 284-0505

Joyce Davis, Director - Fort Dodge, (515) 955-1634

Sandy Feldman, Director - Pleasantville, (515) 250-9159

Ruth Hamdorf, Director - Marion, (319) 373-8608

Craig Slayton, Director - Des Moines, (515) 279-4284

Rose Stratton, Director - Maquoketa, (563) 652-2546

Shirley Wiggins, Director - Cedar Rapids, (319) 362-7138

Stephanie Hunolt, Director – Kirksville, (660) 665-2404

Robert Nesler, Director – Dubuque, (563) 557-0987





CHANGE OF FORMAT OR RETURNING CASSETTES

Anyone who cannot read this print bulletin or finds it difficult to have it read or wish an e-mail or cassette may receive a copy at no charge. Please contact Jo Slayton at (515) 279-4284 to request an alternative format. Cassette readers are always invited to keep their copy of the Bulletin. However, if you would like to return cassettes when you are finished with them, please place in a NEW standard mailing envelope, write “Free Matter For the Blind” in the upper right hand corner, and return to the editor using the address on the front of this Bulletin. Also, please remember to contact the editor if your address changes. The Post Office rarely provides us with a new address when someone moves. We want to make sure that anyone who wants to receive a Bulletin gets one!



SELECTING ICUB AS A BENEFICIARY

If you or a friend would like to remember the Iowa Council of the United Blind in your will, you may do so by using the following language: “I grant, devise, or bequeath unto the Iowa Council of the United Blind, a non-profit charitable organization, the sum of ______ dollars, ____ percent of my net estate, or the following stocks and bonds (please list them) to be used for its worthy purposes on behalf of blind persons.” If your wishes are more complex, you may have your attorney call (515) 279-4284, or write Iowa Council of the United Blind, 4013 30TH Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50310.


TABLE OF CONTENTS


Note from the Editor 4

Chapter Reports

Cedar Rapids 4-5

Waterloo 5-6

Des Moines 6-7

Dubuque 7

2008 ICUB Resolutions Adopted 8-12

Sad News

Adelaide Louise Ceglar dies 12-13

Bonnie Mitchell Baker dies 13-14

Karen A. Keninger appointed Director

of Iowa Dept. for the Blind 14-15

In the News

Announcing Next Generation

Perkins Brailler 15-16

New Crosswalk Safety System

For Visually Impaired 17-18

Upcoming Events 19



NOTE FROM THE EDITOR


Thank you for your support in submitting articles for the ICUB newsletter. Due to health concerns and computer issues, I am resigning from the position of Editor. I have enjoyed the position and appreciate everyone’s contributions to the newsletter. Thank you Donna for appointing me to this position. If anyone is interested in taking over as Editor, please contact Robert Spangler, President. Please consider this my official resignation.


Stephanie Hunolt



CHAPTER REPORTS



Cedar Rapids Chapter

By Shirley Wiggins


Hello, our last meeting was held Oct. 14th. Robert Spangler gave a short report on his trip to the A. C. B. convention. By acclamation we are keeping the same officers and board members for another year. They are…President Ruth Hamdorf, Vice President Eldred Gerhold, Secretary Judy McCarty, Treasurer Shirley Wiggins. Board members Ruth Failor, Burnadette Parcell, and Dove Tanner. With that being done, we paid dues. We then talked about last August's picnic and want to thank all of you for helping to make it another successful day. With that said, we want to invite you to our Christmas party the 29th of November. This year we are having it at 1195 Boyson Road Hiawatha IA. Hiawatha is a little suburb of Cedar Rapids. There is a Boyson Road exit off interstate 380 and I'm told you can see the Pizza Ranch from there. Again, the party is at the Pizza Ranch at 1195 Boyson Road Hiawatha IA. Time- 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The auction this year will consist of only goodies; candy, cookies, breads, cakes, anything good and sweet.

Now for the Support Group. We also had a picnic the 3rd of September. Good food, solos by Eldred Gerhold, Jonathan Ice and the accordion by Shirley Wiggins. In October Delorus Reisinger, Jonathan Ice and I talked to the group on the importance of the white cane and then we had an open discussion on the importance of reading and writing Braille, each of us telling our greatest uses of it. This month we will ask everyone to tell us of something they are very thankful for. I have so very much to be thankful for I don't know where to start. We will also make some plans for our Christmas meeting.

Have a happy holiday season. Shirley Wiggins



Waterloo Chapter

By Gloria O’Neal

Dedicated to the Memory of Louise Ceglar



Fall is upon us once again, and with that, time to turn back our clocks. In remembering that, it got me thinking about the changes that have happened in my life since accepting that my vision was progressively getting worse. The first change was going into the Department for the Blind, a challenge that I now wish that I had invested more time and energy into as it was the stepping stone into functioning as a blind person. Another change was accepting Louise Ceglar's invitation to join the Waterloo Chapter of ICUB.

Louise was a person who looked beyond the flaws and saw the good in everyone She was a loving person who did her best to enrich the lives of everyone that she encountered. I enjoyed listening to her talk about the neighborhood that she grew up in as it is in the area that I grew up in also. Louise was a great grandmother and I enjoyed getting grandmother lessons from her. Louise did her best to make sure that each and every job that she took on was done to the best of her ability. She will be greatly missed by all.

With our next meeting we will be electing officers and trying to reorganize the group as we are now down to 5 members, 3 of which are blind.

As always, may God continue to bless and keep you.

Gloria O'Neal


Des Moines Chapter

By Dee Clayton



Happy Holidays to All from the Des Moines Chapter,

It is getting that time of year to start thinking of new officers and also Christmas parties.

Des Moines will be holding elections for officers and board members on Nov. 14th.

Well, it is time to think about partying for Christmas. The Des Moines chapter is having the Christmas party at a new location this year due to the closing of Judge Roy Bean's

Our party this year will be on Dec. 6, 2008 at noon. It will be at Mr. Fillet's or as many of you know it George's on Seventh Street just off Grand Avenue North.

Meals are: steak, grilled chicken or ham including salad, desert and drink. The cost is $20 plus tip.

We will be having a gift exchange for people that are interested, door prizes and an auction.

You should have your letter by the time you read this. There is an enclosed envelope addressed back to me to send your order and money in. Please, remember you cannot send this back Free Reading Matter.

Hope to have a great turn out.

By the time you here from Des Moines Chapter it will be about spring.

Everyone have a great holiday and take care through the coming months.

Dee Clayton


Dubuque chapter

By Bob Nesler


We had a few of our members go to the picnic in Cedar Rapids, which turned out to be a good day and outing for them. We had a reasonably good turn out for our annual banquet in September. We had the usual good dinner with swiss steak and trimmings, the Dubuque Colts gave us some good music, and Rose Straton did a good auction with several to help. There was an interesting speaker, a local priest invited by Gene Scholtes. Einez Schultz always comes up with a favor for each person, which is much appreciated. We were sorry to miss our faithful Cedar Rapids Chapter members due to the tragic death of their driver, Laura, which happened just before the Banquet. One of our members, Shirley Conrad, has been having a very difficult time lately with the death of her companion, Bill and her declining health. She has been hospitalized several times in the last few months because she has difficulty breathing. Bulah Matalaslo has also been hospitalized several times in the last few months with a similar condition. Our prayers are with them both.


Some of our members will be going to the Christmas event in Cedar Rapids which we are working on now. Our Chapter plans to have a Christmas party at the house of Gaby and Bob Nesler, that's me.


Best wishes from all of us to all of you for a wonderful Holiday season!


Bob Nesler




RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT THE 2008 ICUB STATE CONVENTION


ICUB RESOLUTION 2008-01


SUBJECT: OUT-OF-STATE TRAINING


WHEREAS, The Iowa Department for the Blind receives state and federal funds for the purpose of training blind Iowans; and


WHEREAS, for many years it was the practice for the three-member Commission for the Blind to accept out-of-state trainees only after it had been ascertained that no Iowans were awaiting training opportunities and that home states of out-of-state trainees were willing to pay for the training; and


WHEREAS, for the last several years out-of-state trainees have been accepted who did not meet the two criteria, forcing the citizens of Iowa to pay for the rehabilitation of individuals from other states; and


WHEREAS, the Iowa Department for the Blind has recently been terminating staff due to a shortage of state and federal funding;


NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Iowa Council of the United Blind in convention assembled this fourth day of May 2008 in the city of Des Moines, that this organization calls on the three-member Commission for the Blind to reestablish out-of-state trainee criteria so as to require that Iowa state residents have a priority and out-of-state trainees have their expenses paid by their state of residence; and


BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the three-member Commission for the Blind; The Honorable Chet Culver, Governor of the State of Iowa; The Honorable David A. Vaudt, CPA, State Auditor; and other state officials as appropriate.


ICUB RESOLUTION 2008-02


SUBJECT: OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL BY ORIENTATION STUDENTS


WHEREAS, it has long been the practice of the Iowa Department for the Blind’s Adult Orientation Center to take a variety of field trips including: Camping, hiking, visiting other training centers, and tours of historical sites; and


WHEREAS, the Iowa Council of the United Blind has long been a supporter of this policy, believing that a variety of benefits result from such activities; and


WHEREAS, it has been noted by this organization that some of this type of activity has been expanded with many miles of unnecessary travel and expense without additional training benefit, i.e., a trip to Canada and another to Yellow Stone Park during the last two years; and


WHEREAS, it is this organization’s opinion that these extended field trips add a great deal of expense with little or no training benefit;


NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Iowa Council of the United Blind in convention assembled this fourth day of May 2008, in the city of Des Moines, that this organization urges the three-member Commission for the Blind to adopt procedures which have the effect of keeping most field trips within the borders of the state of Iowa, or in the case of visitations to other training facilities, to states contiguous to Iowa; and


BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Commission monitor this activity by requiring notification of all such trips; and


BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the three-member Commission for the Blind; The Honorable Chet Culver, Governor of the State of Iowa; The Honorable David A. Vaudt, CPA, State Auditor; and other state officials as appropriate.


ICUB RESOLUTION 2008-03


SUBJECT: OUT-OF-STATE STAFF TRAVEL.


WHEREAS, it has been the practice of the Iowa Department for the Blind for the last several years to send multiple individuals: Four, five, six and more to out-of-state conferences under the guise of training; and


WHEREAS, a new all-time record was set during the past year with 13 staff members being sent at one time to the National Federation of the Blind Baltimore Office; and


WHEREAS, even if the travel expenses for these 13 staff were paid by a third party, their absence necessarily had a negative impact on service provision to blind Iowans; and


WHEREAS, it has long been recognized by experts in the field of training that one or two trainees are sufficient to train other staff, thereby reducing expense and interruption of direct services; and


WHEREAS, the Iowa Department for the Blind has been forced to reduce staff and home training visitations due to a lack of funds;


NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Iowa Council of the United Blind in convention assembled this fourth day of May 2008 in the city of Des Moines, that this organization urges the three-member Commission for the Blind to review out-of-state travel policy in an effort to reduce the number of staff attending any one training seminar or organizational meeting in order to reduce travel expenditures and improve service delivery; and


BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the three-member Commission for the Blind; The Honorable Chet Culver, Governor of the State of Iowa; The Honorable David A. Vaudt, CPA, State Auditor; and other state officials as appropriate.


ICUB RESOLUTION 2008-04


SUBJECT: STATE AGENCY STAFF PARTICIPATION IN BLIND CONSUMER ORGANIZATIONS.


WHEREAS, in the mid-1970’s the Iowa Department for the Blind was heavily involved with the recruitment of members for the day-to-day operation of what is now the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa; and


WHEREAS, the merging of activities between the Iowa Department for the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa resulted in allegations of favoritism and other charges leading to 110 days of articles in the Des Moines Register critical of the management of the Iowa Department for the Blind; and


WHEREAS, Governor Robert D. Ray found it necessary to appoint an Adhoc Committee to investigate and make recommendations regarding the management of the Iowa Department for the Blind, resulting in administrative rules limiting the participation by Department staff in CONSUMER organizational activities; and


WHEREAS, some of the staff of the Iowa Department for the Blind in the fall of 2006 staged a takeover of the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa placing one of its members in as president and controlling the Board with other staff and their spouses; and


WHEREAS, since this takeover of the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa it has been noted that there is an increased activity on the part of the staff of the Iowa Department for the Blind to recruit members for the National Federation of the blind of Iowa, including a memo from Director Harris to all staff strongly suggesting that they attend the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa convention in the fall of 2007, with expenses paid; and


WHEREAS, even more egregious, recently the most blatant, arrogant, abuse of power by a state official occurred, when letters were sent by the Department throughout the state signed by a known Department staff member, Michael D. Barber, attempting to organize chapters of the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa; and


WHEREAS, these letters were received by Iowans who are dependent on the state agency for library service, training in alternative techniques of blindness, and other assistance, such as reader service for college students and job placement, the pressure to join the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is obvious;


NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Iowa Council of the United Blind in convention assembled this fourth day of May 2008 in the city of Des Moines, that this organization calls upon the three-member Commission for the Blind to once again establish administrative rules, which severely limit the participation of Iowa Department for the Blind staff in the management of blind CONSUMER organizations, including the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa, the Iowa Council of the United Blind, and the Blinded Veterans Association; and


BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the three-member Commission for the Blind; The Honorable Chet Culver, Governor of the State of Iowa; The Honorable David A. Vaudt, CPA, State Auditor; and other state officials as appropriate.



Sad News…


Adelaide Louise Ceglar, 85, of Waterloo, died at Ravenwood Nursing and Rehab Center on Saturday, September 13, 2008 of natural causes.

She was born March 26, 1923 in Waterloo, the daughter of Eli and Adelaide Decker Alexander. She graduated from East High School in 1941.

Louise married Steven Ceglar on October 24, 1947 at Grace Methodist Church. He died July 18, 2008.

Louise enjoyed sewing, making clothes for her family. Louise also made baby quilts for her grandchildren and for the Church bazaar. Family vacations were made to Washington, DC., New York and Niagara Falls. Louise enjoyed camping, fishing and cooking on the camp stove. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed cooking huge holiday meals. Holidays were a big deal-and she made sure everyone had presents to open at Christmas time.

Louise was secretary-treasurer for the Gutter Sweepers Blind Bowling League. Treasurer for the Waterloo Chapter of the Iowa Council for The Blind and belonged to Blue Star Mothers.

Louise is survived by son Steven Gene(Liane) of Bosque Farms, New Mexico, daughter Joanne Scharfenberg of Aurora, Illinois, six grandchildren, Theresa, Angela, Alexandra, Tamara, Roger and Steven, six great-grandchildren and sister Pat (Don) Riley of Florida.

Louise was preceded in death by sisters, Helen (Mickey) Davis, Dorothy Palmer and Jackie Chappelle.


********************


VINTON— Bonnie Mitchell Baker, 85, Vinton, died Thursday, November 13, 2008, at Virginia Gay Nursing and Rehab following a brief illness.


Funeral services were held Tuesday, November 18, 2008, at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Mark C. Urlaub officiating. Visitation was Monday, November 17, Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home, Vinton. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton.


Bonnie was born January 22, 1923, in Marion, the daughter of Leslie F. and Maud Amelia Miller Mitchell. A 1939 graduate of Rowley High School, she attended college, receiving a degree in teaching. She had been a resident of the Brandon and Vinton areas and also lived at Holiday Lake, Brooklyn, Iowa, for several years.


November 24, 1949, Bonnie was united in marriage with Paul Robert Baker at First Methodist Episcopal Church in Vinton. He preceded her in death in 1998.


Bonnie worked as a teacher in a one-room school and as a librarian at the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in Vinton. She also worked in Vinton for J.C. Penney’s Catalog.


She was a lifelong member at the Brandon Methodist Church, and in past years had been attending Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Vinton.


Bonnie is survived by one daughter, Sheila Stickels and her husband John; and two grandsons, Ross and Jody Stickels, all of Vinton.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul; one brother, Don Mitchell; and her cat, Cinder.


A memorial fund has been established.


Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Bonnie and her family. You may leave condolences at www.russellfh.com.



Karen A. Keninger appointed Director of Iowa Dept. for the Blind


On October 23, 2008, the Iowa Commission for the Blind appointed Karen A. Keninger to serve as the Director of the Iowa Department for the Blind. Ms. Keninger is currently the Program Administrator for the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, a position she has held since 2000. As Program Administrator for the Library, Ms. Keninger has spearheaded the Library's conversion of talking books to digital media, created a recording studio that provides audio

books to individuals who are unable to read standard print because of a disability, and has actively promoted the importance of Braille literacy. Ms. Keninger participated in an interagency effort by the Iowa Board of Regents, State Department of Education, the Iowa Braille School, Area Education Agencies, and the Department to coordinate statewide vision services to blind and visually impaired children in Iowa. Ms. Keninger has served on planning committees for the Library of Congress' National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS). She began working for the Department in 1995 as a Rehabilitation Consultant in the Field Operations unit. She oversaw state and federal reporting requirements, studied social security issues, and secured federal funding for a national computer training program for blind and visually impaired individuals. Ms. Keninger is a life-long resident of Iowa and is a graduate of Drake University (B.A) and Iowa State University (M.A.).

Ms. Keninger succeeds Mr. Allen Harris, who retired from the Department after seven years of service. Mr. Harris praises Ms. Keninger as someone who, "is truly a leader, a very quick study and is committed to the Department philosophy, and she will continue to move the agency forward." Ms. Keninger will assume her duties on November 1, 2008.



Announcing the Next Generation Perkins Brailler

All we see is possibility...

The NEW Next Generation T Perkins Brailler® is here! Less FORCE, Less WEIGHT, Less NOISE, MORE POSSIBILITIES...


We are writing to you with some very exciting news. Today, 57 years after the launch of the original Perkins Brailler, we are introducing the NEW Next Generation T Perkins Brailler®. Initially the Next Generation model will be for sale only in the United States and only through American Printing House for the Blind or Perkins Products.

The Next Generation Perkins Brailler retains all of the features that made the Classic Perkins Brailler the most widely used Braille writer in the world, plus incorporates new features users have been asking for. The Next Generation Perkins Brailler is:

* More portable due to its lighter weight and smaller size

* More comfortable to use with a shorter keystroke and less force required

* Quieter

New features and improvements in the Next Generation Perkins Brailler include:

* Easy-Erase Button so you can correct mistakes while brailing

* Reading Rest so you can proofread the page with ease

* Front Panel Margin Guides so you don't have to reach around the back

* Greener construction through the use of less oil and manufactured material

* Modern colors and a sleek, new design

This brailler was developed with support from the American Printing House for the Blind. In recognition of this, braillers sold in the United States for the first six months may be ordered exclusively through APH or Perkins Products and will be available only in APH Blue. In April 2009, the new brailler will be available through our resellers in the United States.

We are planning the international launch of the Next Generation

Perkins Brailler for early 2009. At that time we will make available a list of international resellers who will be selling the Next Generation Perkins Brailler.

We invite you to visit PerkinsBrailler.org to learn more about the new brailler and the enhancements we have made. Also, listen to and download the Next Generation song, written by Raul Midón for the Next Generation Perkins Brailler.

All of us at Perkins are truly committed to Braille literacy and we

are honored to support children and adults in learning and using Braille in their daily lives. After working diligently on the reengineering of the Perkins Brailler for two years, we are excited to offer the Next Generation Perkins Brailler and look forward to hearing from you.


Regards,


Steven M. Rothstein

President, Perkins School for the Blind

Steven.Rothstein@Perkins.org


David Morgan

General Manager, Perkins Products

David.Morgan@Perkins.org

TO ORDER:

The new Perkins Brailler can be ordered through the American

Printing House for the Blind at 800-223-1839 or through Perkins Products by calling 617-972-7308. More information is available at PerkinsBrailler.org!


SPREAD THE WORD:

We invite you to visit our website and "Tell-a-Friend" about

this exciting news. Choose from a design featuring the Next Generation Brailler and Raul Midón's song.




Accessible Devices Press Release: New Cross Walk Safety System For The Visually Impaired - Developing the Corner of Blind Avenue and Safety Way



MOSCOW, Idaho - For the 21.2 million Americans who suffer from vision loss, crossing the street can be a stressful and potentially dangerous proposition. Thanks to engineers at the University of Idaho, many visually impaired individuals soon may have a greatly reduced risk thanks to a tool already in their pockets - their cell phone.


The statistics for vision loss, provided by the American Foundation

For the Blind, include anyone reporting difficulty seeing, even while wearing glasses or contact lenses. No matter the level of visual impairment, many conditions - including visual noise, walking at night and irregular intersections - can result in missing a crosswalk.


Regardless of conditions, the new system being developed in Moscow, Idaho, will make intersections safer and easier to navigate. "Minute for minute on the road, any pedestrian is 150 percent more likely to be injured by a car than somebody driving one," said Richard

Wall, professor of electrical and computer engineering. "But it is pretty apparent that the blind pedestrians are the ones most at risk at intersections."


The new technology utilizes features already available in many

cellular phones, including communications, Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) functions and magnetic compasses to help visually impaired pedestrians. Specialized software allows these pedestrians to activate the crossing signal remotely without having to locate the physical button. Then, the GPS system monitors the position and direction of travel while crossing. As long as the crosser stays within the crosswalk, nothing happens. But stray outside the lines, and an audible warning activates alerting the pedestrian of their danger. It then provides directions on how to get back within the safety zone. Should the walker somehow end up in the middle of the intersection, the system automatically would turn every light red, stopping traffic and averting a potential disaster.


"It's true that this would disrupt the timing of the signal patterns when it gets activated," said Wall. "But we would much rather disrupt them for a few seconds than for a half hour while an ambulance assists a traffic victim." To ensure people don't trigger the alarm just for fun, only those who need the help would be able to acquire the necessary software. The system requires more than software, however. It also requires the installation of new hardware in thousands of lights across the country.


Luckily, Wall and his team have found a solution that not only is cost effective, it simplifies the existing system. Many crosswalks currently have handicapped-assisted signals that provide help such as audio tones indicating when it is safe to cross. However, the box that controls the intersection contains a massive amount of wiring. This is necessary to connect each actuator with each signal so at any given time, the control box knows each state. Wall's new system simplifies each box to only two wires, both already required to power the signals. It uses a technology called Ethernet over power line, which allows information to be broadcast over power lines.



The future is clear for Wall and his research team. They have

established dates to deliver the engineering and expect field trials to commence in June. They are building prototypes supported by funds from the University Transportation Centers program, Idaho's Higher Education Research Council and their commercial partner, Campbell Company, who currently makes the accessible pedestrian signals that chirp and talk for the handicapped.


“The signals we're building are more than prototypes. These devices actually can go into the field and work today," said Wall. "We're using existing infrastructure and communicating intelligence over it. It's cost effective, it simplifies the connection to two wires and it can be immediately installed in all the existing crosswalks in the country."





Upcoming Events


Cedar Rapids Chapter Christmas Party…..November 29, 2008

Des Moines Chapter Christmas Party…..December 6, 2008

IBSAA Christmas Party.....December 13, 2008


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