Next stop: Arlington. Next Stop: Arlington. The words flashed onto the electronic sign on the Green Line. Next stop: Arlington. Next stop: Arlington. The only problem? I saw that sign for thirty minutes yesterday while the train was stuck between Boylston and Arlington.
"Little sign, I wish you would tell me why the train isn't moving?" I stared at the sign, willing it to life to tell me what was the delay?
Do you know Boston has the worst transit system for those who are deaf? There's absolutely no system to let deaf individuals know what's going on. But what's perplexing is that about two or three years ago, the MBTA implemented the electronic signs on the train. But it only tell you the next stop (and even then sometimes it doesn't tell you the right stop). At Park St station, there's an electronic sign that says Welcome to MBTA over and over again. Why doesn't any of these signs tell me when the train is coming, why it's not coming, delays I should know about?
I once got on the D-line, double-checking that all the signs said D-line. I rode it from Park St to Kenmore. But something happened at Kenmore. The train announced that it was now the C-line not the D-line. Of course, I couldn't hear the announcement so I stayed on the train, when I got pass Kenmore and came out at ST. Mary's. When I realized what happened it was too late, it was a blizzard and that was the last train running. So I had to walk two miles through a blizzard to get to my house. I didn't know.
Another time, I had to take the train to Malden Center on Saturday. This time I was taking the Orange Line. It stopped at Sullivan Square but instead of continuing towards Oak Grove, the train reversed directions and headed back to Park St. I got off at Community College, flagged down an MBTA employee who looked at me with disdain then walked away. Apparently, the train was going through construction at Wellington. I didn't know.
On my way to see a Broadway show, I got on the Red Line at Central Square. The train moved perhaps one inch then stayed for an hour. Apparently, there was a fire at Park St station so all trains were on standby. I didn't know.
I'm a little tired of not knowing. I'd love it if our class banded together and got the MBTA to incorporate a universal design that included the deaf!
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4 comments:
Kerry, I've often wondered how the deaf navigate the train system, but I had a very different opinion. Let me first put in a good word for the MBTA. I have noticed more and more stations (esp. the Red Line) putting in electronic signs, and nearly all of them announce when the next train is coming. They even announce delays.
I was impressed at first when I noticed that some trains have the signs inside the train too, but not all the trains have them. I also know they don't always work; a common error is announcing the station in the wrong direction!
It's so easy for a hearing person to take these extra notices for granted, because we can rely on all senses for information. You've opened my eyes on this problem, though, and I see why the MBTA needs to make accessibility a bigger priority.
I admire those who don't have use of all their senses and are able to use public transportation easily. Hats off to you.
Wow, that's an elegant and thought provoking post! This is my first year riding the T, and I never considered how much of the experience is dependent on sound... but I guess if something stops, or if you're on one of those weird red-line express trains that decides to skip everything between here and Alewife, how would you know?
Have you tried to upload a video yet? Let me know if you need any help
Hi Laurel,
I've noticed this too that the Red line has more and more of the electronic signs and they tell me when the train is approaching.
BUT, the red line is the only one I've seen so far. I haven't seen this at all on the Green Line.
Kerry, great post. Hearing the story from someone we know makes this issue much more personal.
I'm afraid that accessibility is often treated as an expensive bureaucratic burden and is only adopted with reluctance. It is far better for communities to realize how much they can benefit from creating an environment which enourages everyone - across the spectrum of physical and mental ability - to be active participants and contributors.
In an age when communities are suffering from "brain drain" and fighting to attract talented people, adopting universal design as a development strategy can actually provide the community with a competitive advantage.
I'd be glad to help with an effort to lobby the MBTA, and I'm sure we could get others involved, too.
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