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stouffville suntribune thursday may 24 2007 3 suntribune people navigating traffic lights part of safety lesson by hannelore volpe staff writer you can learn more about the chirps and cuckoos you hear at some whitchurchstouffville traffic lights at a safety and accessibility workshop tuesday kirsten hill already knows the workshop will provide safety information for seniors and those with disabilities as well as caregivers and staff of longterm care residences there are two of the traffic lights in stouffville at the weldon road and main street intersection near the parkview seniors residences and park drive and main street intersection in the downtown area the chirping lights help those with low or no vision to navigate their way across intersections safely the workshop will provide safety information for seniors and those with disabilities as well as caregivers and staff of longterm care residences mrs hill a ballantrae resident who suffers from vision loss noted you have to press the walk button on the traffic light for three seconds to start the sequence of audible signals and the countdown feature which tells you how much time you have to cross the intersection the countdown is used by drivers too to help them cross intersections mrs hill said she works with the canadian national institute for the blind as a speaker and peer support facilitator she helps people by talking about her own experiences as she goes about her life with very little vision shes had mobility training offered by the cntbso she can find her way around her neighbourhood and other areas the mobility trainer accompanies the blind person along the routes theyll use often noting what obstacles and landmarks are along the way mrs hill follows the sidewalk and counts streets shes passed when she was out for a walk shes not afraid to maintain her independence by asking people for help many people are very cooperative she has found she uses all her tools and resources to get from a to b she said and that includes asking others for assistance when shes coming into a building she hasnt visited before shell phone ahead to get a verbal description of how to get from the front door to that persons office or desk tuesday mornings workshop at parkview village is presented by the whitchurchstouffville accessibility advisory committee registration and refreshments are at 945 am followed by presentations by the cntb and york regional police mrs hill will be at the workshop to give information about the gadgets that can make life easier for someone with low or no vision she is also a member of the advisory committee as new lights are installed in town more will have audible signals heather andrews chairperson of the advisory committee said the committee would like to see these lights installed at mill and main streets where the silver jubilee seniors club is located at the workshop youll have a chance to find out about the count down feature of the traffic lights and tips for crossing intersections safely and have your questions answered the canadian hearing society is providing an fm system for enhanced sound and there will be a note taker so the spoken presenta tions also appear in writing on a large screen the cnib will have a display of aids for those with vision loss including talking watches dark glasses and liq uid level indicators whitchurchstouffville news digest visit yorkregioncom for more on these and other stories if you are attending rsvp like to take part in the workshop rsvp to parkview village at 9056401 940the village is at 12184 ninth line york region transit is providing free transportation staff photobill roberts ballantraes kirsten hill who suffers from vision loss works with the canadian national institute for the blind as a public speaker and peer support facilitator a member of the towns acces sibility advisory committee she will take part in a work shop in stouffville tuesday quarles family performs at weekend stampede the musical quarles family and mayor wayne emmerson are adding special whitchurch- stouffville touches to saturdays great markham stampede while the quarles family will get toes tapping with their lively fiddle and step dance music the mayor should get hearts pound ing as he takes on markham mayor frank scarpitti in an atv challenge wildman wayne squares off against fists scarpitti at high noon at the markham fair grounds in an event ominously titled rumble in the rodeo later in the afternoon the quarles family consisting of braedon and his sisters lauren and devynn and their parents don and jani offer audiences tra ditional and contemporary music theyll be on the main stage at 3 pm the quarles familys latest cd out and about will be for sale to find out more about the quarles family log on to sonicbidscomthefamilyquarles2 for more information on other stampede events go tothemarkhamstampedecom mayors tourney has room openings remain in mayor wayne emmersoris 10th golf tour nament july 24 at ballantrae golf and country club and sleepy hol low country club entry fee is 165 and includes golf meals and a pair of etonic golf shoes to register or obtain more information call the mayors office 905- 6401910 ext 227 or email winnielaylandtownofwscom sound off have something to say about these or other stories email us atjmasonyrmgcom best bicycle shop 9 years in a row t s f 1 us ouniinen oei vico u no i bi y it c up ii lywl kk gkhii soltklion ol 2007 models now m slo l wvw cvclpnnthninrkhamcom ttwe1c a avoid the sjstfjki rush gef ycor be lefs g6t teddy to ride wwwcyclppnthmorkhamcom servicednow 29 main street markham village hwym8juitnorhofhwy7 mon-fri- 10am7pm 5at- l6am6pm syty lpm5pm 9052948955