Set up with the feds?

FED UP WITH FEDS: WHEN WILL  LAWMAKERS AND. POLICY PEOPLE  GET THEIR  REAR BUMPERS  IN GEAR AND LEAD?

Several “self-driving”  news sources pointed out  that Minnesota  is now engaging in the process of  developing  laws  and policies  related to self-driving.  They are not the firsat state to do so and will be not. Be the last.  In other news, Tesla announced putting. A more powerful processor in their new cars and WAYMO announced they would  share data and be testing in Arizona dusts storms.   I link these two events because  they are very much the same.  How? WAYMO is trying to navigate a geographic space where the environment is very unclear and  in order to move forward  the appropriate thing to do is to  act and get their knowledge base  up to speed so that things will progress.  Well that needs to happen.at the federal government level when it comes to self-driving.  Automation of the driving (and many other processes) industry is inevitable.  Congress should be showing leadership in this area  but is just sitting there because it is too complicated.  Let’s make it simple.  Transformative  change in transportation  needs tohappen because lack of. Mobility impacts the lives of way too many  citizens.  Instead of  sitting back ands trying to decide which modes of transportation must be affordable and accessible it’s time to say “they all must and move to the question how do we make that happen?” Asa reader of this  blog—or the friend of this blog—or no matter who you are —please ask your local policy makers to share their plans to incorporate  self-driving into the transportation infrastructure.  If they  don’t have a response then ask them why they don’t

We’re not asking for a wall here...we may be asking to tear one down, but, as the federal folks sit idly  by state after state struggles to build  the cars of the future and the  environment around them.... Do we need 50. Sets of laws.  Which brings  me full circle. Back to Minnesota.  It is the land of 1,000 lakes and while those are pretty when we get to be the country of 1,000  conflicts  based on local transit  laws....and that would truly be a massive  pile-up on I-27 or I-35

So can the press start asking congress to  get. This done or decide to only  provide updates  on. What just happpened rather than providing. A. Push to educate.lawmakers... I. Have my opinion

If the system won’t change then become the system

INCHANGING THE SYSTEM-

Anyone who has actually read  most of these posts understands that they contain  encouragement for inclusion.  However, up to now this  blog has neglected something that cannot be neglected at this point

It is readily apparent that  the current “system” by which cars are developed, laws about them are constructed, and transportation options emerge, are not  making many visible  strides toward direct participant participation when it comes to people with disabilities.  In other words, the system isn’t changing and  probably will not.  

Well  so be it.  That leaves an avenue that hasn’t been highlighted  much—become the system!  

People with disabilities  can have a great deal. Of influence over what happens in the future of transit but it  may take some back door methods.  If you have a son or daughter encourage them to study robotics.  If you are still training  for work look at the self-driving  training available and  get.involved in it at the ground level.  Learn some things about urban planning or rural. Development.  Learn a little. About  coding (writing the instructions for  the machines involved).  In short Change the systems by becoming the system.  

Offer to write  news stories or editorials or send in letters to the editor often enough  that the. Local. Press knows there’s a voice out there shouting.  Send an e-mail to. Your local debate team director asking them to debate on the  topic of self-driving.  

These are ways to  change the system by becoming the system—

Since. This blog has not focused a great deal of attention on these matters the next five entries will be focused  in just that area.  

Much. Like that often  quoted mantra— be the change you want to see...well in this case become s the system you wish to influence.  There are many dooors to open and we can’t wait for others to open them.

Congress is starting to move and lawyers are getting involved stuff could happen

https://www.law.com/legaltechnews/2019/08/08/what-lawyers-say-can-get-congress-self-driving-cars-bill-in-drive/

DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS— MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN

After two years of  being on the shelf  collecting dust, it appears that federal lawmakers are seriously looking at enacting some self-driving  related legislation.  How do we know it is time to act?  Well lawyers from  all sides including insurance companies are starting  a push to influence the law.  When  lawyers get involved you can rest assured that industries  are talking to lawmakers about language and obligations.  Please check out the above. Link as it is one of the few  places that disability is mentioned.  

It would be great  if large  institutional players would get into this discussion and now!  The NRA (no not that NRA  The National Rehabilitation Association should get its members educated and motivated.  NCIL and APRIL the nations two most important  disability rights organizations should start to blow the trumpet of involvement for  the centers for independent living their staff members, and consumers of disability services.  APRIL  has led the charge on many  transportation legislation  activities over the past couple decades and needs to extend a special effort  now.  It is not enough to say “it is all covered under the ADA’ as our current  transportation. Are far from inclusive and  accessible for all citizens wishing to participate in the social side of their communities.  

Does every. Self-driving vehicle need to be accessible?  Yes if the government is going to. Own or pay the operation of  any of them.  Is this a practical goal for all car. Makers?  Yes.  If you have asked  people 100 years ago whether  this nation would be covered with automobiles freeways, and would people  get into  metal tubes and be flying around the world many  folks would have looked at you strange.  Oh and if you  would have described a smart phone and the internet  to folks 50 years ago they would have been shaking their heads.  

If a company refuses to meet this guideline that’s simple enough—just don’t let them operate  in our country.  I hate  to use the gender or race cards, however they apply here.  Could you imagine  if car makers were allowed to  state that our cars are not to be  driven by caucasians  or females with red hair?  Well that might create a stir I’d think.  

Anyway to sum up the legislation around. Self-driving at the federal level is starting to move and people with disabilities and the primary disability rights organizations need to. Become very active  before things are too  late.  The civil rights of too many are at stake and we should not be  caught. ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL” if we can get into the car to start with.

DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS— MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN

After two years of  being on the shelf  collecting dust, it appears that federal lawmakers are seriously looking at enacting some self-driving  related legislation.  How do we know it is time to act?  Well lawyers from  all sides including insurance companies are starting  a push to influence the law.  When  lawyers get involved you can rest assured that industries  are talking to lawmakers about language and obligations.  Please check out the above. Link as it is one of the few  places that disability is mentioned.  

It would be great  if large  institutional players would get into this discussion and now!  The NRA (no not that NRA  The National Rehabilitation Association should get its members educated and motivated.  NCIL and APRIL the nations two most important  disability rights organizations should start to blow the trumpet of involvement for  the centers for independent living their staff members, and consumers of disability services.  APRIL  has led the charge on many  transportation legislation  activities over the past couple decades and needs to extend a special effort  now.  It is not enough to say “it is all covered under the ADA’ as our current  transportation. Are far from inclusive and  accessible for all citizens wishing to participate in the social side of their communities.  

Does every. Self-driving vehicle need to be accessible?  Yes if the government is going to. Own or pay the operation of  any of them.  Is this a practical goal for all car. Makers?  Yes.  If you have asked  people 100 years ago whether  this nation would be covered with automobiles freeways, and would people  get into  metal tubes and be flying around the world many  folks would have looked at you strange.  Oh and if you  would have described a smart phone and the internet  to folks 50 years ago they would have been shaking their heads.  

If a company refuses to meet this guideline that’s simple enough—just don’t let them operate  in our country.  I hate  to use the gender or race cards, however they apply here.  Could you imagine  if car makers were allowed to  state that our cars are not to be  driven by caucasians  or females with red hair?  Well that might create a stir I’d think.  

Anyway to sum up the legislation around. Self-driving at the federal level is starting to move and people with disabilities and the primary disability rights organizations need to. Become very active  before things are too  late.  The civil rights of too many are at stake and we should not be  caught. ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL” if we can get into the car to start with.

DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS— MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN

After two years of  being on the shelf  collecting dust, it appears that federal lawmakers are seriously looking at enacting some self-driving  related legislation.  How do we know it is time to act?  Well lawyers from  all sides including insurance companies are starting  a push to influence the law.  When  lawyers get involved you can rest assured that industries  are talking to lawmakers about language and obligations.  Please check out the above. Link as it is one of the few  places that disability is mentioned.  

It would be great  if large  institutional players would get into this discussion and now!  The NRA (no not that NRA  The National Rehabilitation Association should get its members educated and motivated.  NCIL and APRIL the nations two most important  disability rights organizations should start to blow the trumpet of involvement for  the centers for independent living their staff members, and consumers of disability services.  APRIL  has led the charge on many  transportation legislation  activities over the past couple decades and needs to extend a special effort  now.  It is not enough to say “it is all covered under the ADA’ as our current  transportation. Are far from inclusive and  accessible for all citizens wishing to participate in the social side of their communities.  

Does every. Self-driving vehicle need to be accessible?  Yes if the government is going to. Own or pay the operation of  any of them.  Is this a practical goal for all car. Makers?  Yes.  If you have asked  people 100 years ago whether  this nation would be covered with automobiles freeways, and would people  get into  metal tubes and be flying around the world many  folks would have looked at you strange.  Oh and if you  would have described a smart phone and the internet  to folks 50 years ago they would have been shaking their heads.  

If a company refuses to meet this guideline that’s simple enough—just don’t let them operate  in our country.  I hate  to use the gender or race cards, however they apply here.  Could you imagine  if car makers were allowed to  state that our cars are not to be  driven by caucasians  or females with red hair?  Well that might create a stir I’d think.  

Anyway to sum up the legislation around. Self-driving at the federal level is starting to move and people with disabilities and the primary disability rights organizations need to. Become very active  before things are too  late.  The civil rights of too many are at stake and we should not be  caught. ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL” if we can get into the car to start with. Blogging 

Rural America being left in the dust when it comes to self driving

RURAL AMERICANS  WITH  AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES BEING LEFT IN DUST AGAIN?

earlier this week the media around self-driving was all about NYC and it’s new self-driving shuttles.  Before that  it was self-driving trucks in the Dallas TX area.  There were even some stories about robotic charging stations being “rolled out” by VW and some delays in Solar /sun roofs for Tesla.  Sometimes  what is not being said speaks far louder than was is being said and in this case there seems to be some truth to that old adage.  

What about small town  America and the farmlands?  When are we going to hear about  people with disabilities  from these parts of our country and transportation systems being  included in the emerging tech?  There is  some movement in Grand Rapids MI, which some people would call the middle of nowhere but that’s simply not the case.  It is a smaller progressive city and transportation advocates  have been working hard there for years.  Still GR is not Yale or Harbor Beach or any number of small towns where there transportation challenges that might be. Addressed by  self-driving  options (or any options).  It’s a plain and simple fact that people with disabilities  in rural America have had few options for far too long already and many small communities  would be happy to host test projects just so folks could  get to the local farm and feed stores.  There are seniors  who live in assisted living and other retirement  homes that are experiencing isolation and yet we aren’t hearing of  shuttles being tested  in Perry Iowa or Buzzard Breath Wyoming.  It seems as if some  self-driving companies are quick to  shine in the spotlight of  the Big  Apple but they are  laying a big fat goose egg in the land of corn and chickens...

Come on lawmakers, if the car/transit people aren’t going to do this for  rural folks, it is time for you to step up and demand it of them.  Come on just one major manufacturer—make the headlines by breaking down these  small town and rural barriers to inclusion.  In most of rural America you wouldn’t have to worry about traffic congestion except at fair time or maybe harvest time.  Grab some headlines by being the first and being the best at it.  Come on reporters start to notice what we are not hearing about  the corn growers, wheat farmers, and dairy  producers being added to the list of people experiencing  this new technology.  

 To sum it up we have  people who live in and near communities that feed the world and are limited  by lack of options—don’t let these people get left in the dust that rises from the fields that feed  the nation.RURAL AMERICANS  WITH  AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES BEING LEFT IN DUST AGAIN?

earlier this week the media around self-driving was all about NYC and it’s new self-driving shuttles.  Before that  it was self-driving trucks in the Dallas TX area.  There were even some stories about robotic charging stations being “rolled out” by VW and some delays in Solar /sun roofs for Tesla.  Sometimes  what is not being said speaks far louder than was is being said and in this case there seems to be some truth to that old adage.  

What about small town  America and the farmlands?  When are we going to hear about  people with disabilities  from these parts of our country and transportation systems being  included in the emerging tech?  There is  some movement in Grand Rapids MI, which some people would call the middle of nowhere but that’s simply not the case.  It is a smaller progressive city and transportation advocates  have been working hard there for years.  Still GR is not Yale or Harbor Beach or any number of small towns where there transportation challenges that might be. Addressed by  self-driving  options (or any options).  It’s a plain and simple fact that people with disabilities  in rural America have had few options for far too long already and many small communities  would be happy to host test projects just so folks could  get to the local farm and feed stores.  There are seniors  who live in assisted living and other retirement  homes that are experiencing isolation and yet we aren’t hearing of  shuttles being tested  in Perry Iowa or Buzzard Breath Wyoming.  It seems as if some  self-driving companies are quick to  shine in the spotlight of  the Big  Apple but they are  laying a big fat goose egg in the land of corn and chickens...

Come on lawmakers, if the car/transit people aren’t going to do this for  rural folks, it is time for you to step up and demand it of them.  Come on just one major manufacturer—make the headlines by breaking down these  small town and rural barriers to inclusion.  In most of rural America you wouldn’t have to worry about traffic congestion except at fair time or maybe harvest time.  Grab some headlines by being the first and being the best at it.  Come on reporters start to notice what we are not hearing about  the corn growers, wheat farmers, and dairy  producers being added to the list of people experiencing  this new technology.  

 To sum it up we have  people who live in and near communities that feed the world and are limited  by lack of options—don’t let these people get left in the dust that rises from the fields that feed  the nation.

Ford acquisition creates opportunities and prompts new thinking

Training  Drivers for the Self-Driving  Era

This week Fordd brought Quantum Signal under its corporate wing.  Why is this significant?  QS is  probably the world’s premiere remote  control entity world wide.  So... it seemed. That Ford is ramping up to have a number of vehicles capable of being operated from remote locations.s.  

For  people with disabilities , this is a big step forward.  It means that  in order to participate in the new transportation  options, a person may not need an operator’s license and still be able to travel independently.  A person could. Buy a self-driving car and someone from a remote. Location could  guide the vehicle if  needed when by chance the  self-driving features had a glitch.  

This brings two questions forward.  What will  getting a driver’s. License look like in the  near future?  Will people. With disabilities need to  be able to  decide when remote driving takes over completely and have to have knowledge. On what todo in case of emergency disruptions in their routes?  Will there need to be new driver’s strainingg training?  In a world where the  featureas of cars will become  different?  When will that training begin?  Who will train the trainers?  Who will write the. Materials and what state  agencies will need to get up to speed?  These are not only. Important questions...they are urgent ones as  people with disabilities have waited long enough, the technology is here, and  more is coming.  

Right now congress (the US Congress is  considering national self-driving legislation and these. Are some of the elements that might be included.  

Self-driving is coming (and already here to a certain extent) so there needs to be some urgency and activists and advocates need to make sure inclusion and access. Are part of the mmuch-needed. Government guidance.

What are some other  rules that may make sense?  That will be the subject for the next  entry.  

The real fight for equality starts today in the self driving ring

Let’s Get. Ready  to Rumble...The Fight for Civil Rights , aInclusion, and Equity in Self-Driving is Ready to  Start ...

For months nothing much has happened to encourage. Folks with disabilities  in the self-driving.realm.  All of the big stories have been about  mergers and expected launch dates.  a few stories have. Featured state mandates being. Passed etc.  

Now it would appear the real fight for  inclusion and civil rights  on our roads. Is being put back into  gear so to speak.  

The US  Congress is about to. Pick up the issue of self-driving or EV/EVs after dropping the  effort for a good year and a half.  

That means advocates who have disabilities and their allies  should be writing public comment and contacting. Congressional leaders right away.  

This. May be a topic that  congress actually  won’t play politics  with and there is some broad support for action.  That means we have to get  good language and enforcement  on the books and soon.

Get out and make the calls, write when asked to  make public comment — there may not be another chance as good as this.  It’s time to go for it so we can go for groceries and cold beer later!

Also advocacy attempts are starting to show up in the Google  feed on this... good work!!!