[Script Info] Title: [Events] Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text Dialogue: 0,0:00:03.17,0:00:06.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, stepping down out of the bus, Dialogue: 0,0:00:06.15,0:00:07.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I headed back to the corner Dialogue: 0,0:00:07.90,0:00:11.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to head west en route to a braille training session. Dialogue: 0,0:00:11.28,0:00:13.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was the winter of 2009, Dialogue: 0,0:00:13.39,0:00:15.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I had been blind for about a year. Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.82,0:00:17.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Things were going pretty well. Dialogue: 0,0:00:17.95,0:00:19.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Safely reaching the other side, Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.86,0:00:21.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I turned to the left, Dialogue: 0,0:00:21.32,0:00:23.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,pushed the auto-button for\Nthe audible pedestrian signal, Dialogue: 0,0:00:23.92,0:00:25.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and waited my turn. Dialogue: 0,0:00:25.84,0:00:27.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As it went off, I took off Dialogue: 0,0:00:27.93,0:00:29.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and safely got to the other side. Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.61,0:00:31.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Stepping onto the sidewalk, Dialogue: 0,0:00:31.70,0:00:34.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I then heard the sound of a steel chair Dialogue: 0,0:00:34.40,0:00:38.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,slide across the concrete sidewalk in front of me. Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.55,0:00:40.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I know there's a cafe on the corner, Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.47,0:00:42.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they have chairs out in front, Dialogue: 0,0:00:42.12,0:00:43.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so I just adjusted to the left Dialogue: 0,0:00:43.51,0:00:45.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to get closer to the street. Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.36,0:00:48.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As I did, so slid the chair. Dialogue: 0,0:00:48.100,0:00:51.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I just figured I'd made a mistake, Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.08,0:00:52.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and went back to the right, Dialogue: 0,0:00:52.91,0:00:56.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so slid the chair in perfect synchronicity. Dialogue: 0,0:00:56.41,0:00:58.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now I was getting a little anxious. Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.77,0:01:00.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I went back to the left, Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.39,0:01:01.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so slid the chair, Dialogue: 0,0:01:01.68,0:01:04.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,blocking my path of travel. Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.28,0:01:07.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I was officially freaking out. Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.29,0:01:08.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I yelled, Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.87,0:01:12.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Who the hell's out there? What's going on?" Dialogue: 0,0:01:12.13,0:01:14.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Just then, over my shout, Dialogue: 0,0:01:14.38,0:01:17.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I heard something else, a familiar rattle. Dialogue: 0,0:01:17.07,0:01:18.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It sounded familiar, Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.92,0:01:20.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I quickly considered another possibility, Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.78,0:01:22.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I reached out with my left hand, Dialogue: 0,0:01:22.71,0:01:26.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as my fingers brushed against something fuzzy, Dialogue: 0,0:01:26.11,0:01:28.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I came across an ear, Dialogue: 0,0:01:28.66,0:01:32.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the ear of a dog, perhaps a golden retriever. Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.93,0:01:34.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Its leash had been tied to the chair Dialogue: 0,0:01:34.92,0:01:36.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as her master went in for coffee, Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.65,0:01:38.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and she was just persistent in her efforts Dialogue: 0,0:01:38.44,0:01:41.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to greet me, perhaps get a scratch behind the ear. Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.78,0:01:44.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Who knows, maybe she was volunteering for service. Dialogue: 0,0:01:44.39,0:01:46.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter) Dialogue: 0,0:01:46.77,0:01:49.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But that little story is really about Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.18,0:01:52.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the fears and misconceptions that come along Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.38,0:01:55.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with the idea of moving through the city Dialogue: 0,0:01:55.28,0:01:56.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without sight, Dialogue: 0,0:01:56.61,0:01:59.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,seemingly oblivious to the environment Dialogue: 0,0:01:59.57,0:02:02.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the people around you. Dialogue: 0,0:02:02.47,0:02:06.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So let me step back and set the stage a little bit. Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.37,0:02:08.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,On St. Patrick's Day of 2008, Dialogue: 0,0:02:08.93,0:02:11.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I reported to the hospital for surgery Dialogue: 0,0:02:11.52,0:02:13.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to remove a brain tumor. Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.71,0:02:15.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The surgery was successful. Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.80,0:02:18.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Two days later, my sight started to fail. Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.96,0:02:22.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,On the third day, it was gone. Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.49,0:02:24.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Immediately, I was struck by an incredible sense Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.58,0:02:28.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of fear, of confusion, of vulnerability, Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.47,0:02:30.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like anybody would. Dialogue: 0,0:02:30.92,0:02:33.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But as I had time to stop and think, Dialogue: 0,0:02:33.41,0:02:35.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I actually started to realize Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.16,0:02:38.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had a lot to be grateful for. Dialogue: 0,0:02:38.09,0:02:41.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In particular, I thought about my dad, Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.08,0:02:43.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who had passed away from complications Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.28,0:02:45.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from brain surgery. Dialogue: 0,0:02:45.38,0:02:50.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He was 36. I was seven at the time. Dialogue: 0,0:02:50.48,0:02:53.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So although I had every reason Dialogue: 0,0:02:53.17,0:02:55.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to be fearful of what was ahead, Dialogue: 0,0:02:55.40,0:02:58.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and had no clue quite what was going to happen, Dialogue: 0,0:02:58.04,0:02:59.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was alive. Dialogue: 0,0:02:59.79,0:03:02.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My son still had his dad. Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.50,0:03:04.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And besides, it's not like I was the first person Dialogue: 0,0:03:04.39,0:03:06.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,ever to lose their sight. Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.00,0:03:08.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I knew there had to be all sorts of systems Dialogue: 0,0:03:08.15,0:03:10.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and techniques and training to have Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.47,0:03:13.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to live a full and meaningful, active life Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.03,0:03:14.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without sight. Dialogue: 0,0:03:14.64,0:03:16.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So by the time I was discharged from the hospital Dialogue: 0,0:03:16.78,0:03:19.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a few days later, I left with a mission, Dialogue: 0,0:03:19.49,0:03:21.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a mission to get out and get the best training Dialogue: 0,0:03:21.62,0:03:26.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as quickly as I could and get on to rebuilding my life. Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.78,0:03:30.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Within six months, I had returned to work. Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.83,0:03:32.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My training had started. Dialogue: 0,0:03:32.43,0:03:34.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I even started riding a tandem bike Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.09,0:03:35.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with my old cycling buddies, Dialogue: 0,0:03:35.72,0:03:38.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and was commuting to work on my own, Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.41,0:03:40.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,walking through town and taking the bus. Dialogue: 0,0:03:40.89,0:03:43.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was a lot of hard work. Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.65,0:03:45.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But what I didn't anticipate Dialogue: 0,0:03:45.92,0:03:48.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,through that rapid transition Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.89,0:03:52.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was the incredible experience of the juxtaposition Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.64,0:03:56.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of my sighted experience\Nup against my unsighted experience Dialogue: 0,0:03:56.58,0:03:59.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the same places and the same people Dialogue: 0,0:03:59.25,0:04:02.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,within such a short period of time. Dialogue: 0,0:04:02.75,0:04:04.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,From that came a lot of insights, Dialogue: 0,0:04:04.65,0:04:06.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or outsights, as I called them, Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.15,0:04:09.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,things that I learned since losing my sight. Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.54,0:04:12.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These outsights ranged from the trival Dialogue: 0,0:04:12.50,0:04:14.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the profound, Dialogue: 0,0:04:14.17,0:04:16.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from the mundane to the humorous. Dialogue: 0,0:04:16.74,0:04:19.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As an architect, that stark juxtaposition Dialogue: 0,0:04:19.75,0:04:22.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of my sighted and unsighted experience Dialogue: 0,0:04:22.27,0:04:24.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the same places and the same cities Dialogue: 0,0:04:24.55,0:04:26.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,within such a short period of time Dialogue: 0,0:04:26.56,0:04:28.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has given me all sorts of wonderful outsights Dialogue: 0,0:04:28.77,0:04:31.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the city itself. Dialogue: 0,0:04:31.94,0:04:33.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Paramount amongst those Dialogue: 0,0:04:33.82,0:04:35.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was the realization that, actually, Dialogue: 0,0:04:35.81,0:04:39.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,cities are fantastic places for the blind. Dialogue: 0,0:04:39.75,0:04:42.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I was also surprised Dialogue: 0,0:04:42.07,0:04:45.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by the city's propensity for kindness and care Dialogue: 0,0:04:45.44,0:04:48.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as opposed to indifference or worse. Dialogue: 0,0:04:48.92,0:04:50.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I started to realize that Dialogue: 0,0:04:50.68,0:04:52.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it seemed like the blind seemed to have Dialogue: 0,0:04:52.67,0:04:56.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a positive influence on the city itself. Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.74,0:04:59.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That was a little curious to me. Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.100,0:05:02.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let me step back and take a look Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.56,0:05:07.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at why the city is so good for the blind. Dialogue: 0,0:05:07.92,0:05:11.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Inherent with the training for recovery from sight loss Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.54,0:05:15.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is learning to rely on all your non-visual senses, Dialogue: 0,0:05:15.41,0:05:18.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,things that you would otherwise maybe ignore. Dialogue: 0,0:05:18.64,0:05:21.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's like a whole new world of sensory information Dialogue: 0,0:05:21.18,0:05:22.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,opens up to you. Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.63,0:05:24.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was really struck by the symphony Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.16,0:05:27.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of subtle sounds all around me in the city Dialogue: 0,0:05:27.14,0:05:28.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that you can hear and work with Dialogue: 0,0:05:28.43,0:05:30.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to understand where you are, Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.31,0:05:33.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how you need to move, and where you need to go. Dialogue: 0,0:05:33.11,0:05:35.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Similarly, just through the grip of the cane, Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.84,0:05:39.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you can feel contrasting textures in the floor below, Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.75,0:05:42.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and over time you build a pattern of where you are Dialogue: 0,0:05:42.19,0:05:43.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and where you're headed. Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.73,0:05:46.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Similarly, just the sun warming one side of your face Dialogue: 0,0:05:46.62,0:05:49.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or the wind at your neck Dialogue: 0,0:05:49.45,0:05:51.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,gives you clues about your alignment Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.65,0:05:53.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and your progression through a block Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.34,0:05:56.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and your movement through time and space. Dialogue: 0,0:05:56.85,0:05:59.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But also, the sense of smell. Dialogue: 0,0:05:59.28,0:06:01.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some districts and cities have their own smell, Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.98,0:06:05.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as do places and things around you, Dialogue: 0,0:06:05.02,0:06:06.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and if you're lucky, you can even follow your nose Dialogue: 0,0:06:06.81,0:06:10.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to that new bakery that you've been looking for. Dialogue: 0,0:06:10.24,0:06:11.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All this really surprised me, Dialogue: 0,0:06:11.95,0:06:14.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I started to realize that Dialogue: 0,0:06:14.96,0:06:17.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my unsighted experienced Dialogue: 0,0:06:17.51,0:06:19.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was so far more multi-sensory Dialogue: 0,0:06:19.94,0:06:22.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,than my sighted experience ever was. Dialogue: 0,0:06:22.97,0:06:25.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What struck me also was how much the city Dialogue: 0,0:06:25.71,0:06:27.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was changing around me. Dialogue: 0,0:06:27.34,0:06:29.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When you're sighted, Dialogue: 0,0:06:29.08,0:06:31.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,everybody kind of sticks to themselves, Dialogue: 0,0:06:31.27,0:06:33.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you mind your own business. Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.08,0:06:34.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Lose your sight, though, Dialogue: 0,0:06:34.35,0:06:37.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's a whole other story. Dialogue: 0,0:06:37.15,0:06:38.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I don't know who's watching who, Dialogue: 0,0:06:38.63,0:06:42.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I have a suspicion that\Na lot of people are watching me. Dialogue: 0,0:06:42.18,0:06:44.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I'm not paranoid, but everywhere I go, Dialogue: 0,0:06:44.32,0:06:47.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm getting all sorts of advice: Dialogue: 0,0:06:47.35,0:06:49.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Go here, move there, watch out for this. Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.67,0:06:51.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A lot of the information is good. Dialogue: 0,0:06:51.75,0:06:54.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some of it's helpful. A lot of it's kind of reversed. Dialogue: 0,0:06:54.24,0:06:57.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You've got to figure out what they actually meant. Dialogue: 0,0:06:57.80,0:07:01.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some of it's kind of wrong and not helpful. Dialogue: 0,0:07:01.36,0:07:04.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it's all good in the grand scheme of things. Dialogue: 0,0:07:04.37,0:07:05.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But one time I was in Oakland Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.90,0:07:08.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,walking along Broadway, and came to a corner. Dialogue: 0,0:07:08.79,0:07:11.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was waiting for an audible pedestrian signal, Dialogue: 0,0:07:11.60,0:07:14.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and as it went off, I was just about\Nto step out into the street, Dialogue: 0,0:07:14.08,0:07:16.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when all of a sudden, my right hand Dialogue: 0,0:07:16.12,0:07:17.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was just gripped by this guy, Dialogue: 0,0:07:17.80,0:07:20.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and he yanked my arm\Nand pulled me out into the crosswalk Dialogue: 0,0:07:20.21,0:07:21.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and was dragging me out across the street, Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.88,0:07:24.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,speaking to me in Mandarin. Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.13,0:07:25.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter) Dialogue: 0,0:07:25.54,0:07:29.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's like, there was no escape\Nfrom this man's death grip, Dialogue: 0,0:07:29.68,0:07:31.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but he got me safely there. Dialogue: 0,0:07:31.40,0:07:33.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What could I do? Dialogue: 0,0:07:33.75,0:07:35.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But believe me, there are more polite ways Dialogue: 0,0:07:35.55,0:07:37.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to offer assistance. Dialogue: 0,0:07:37.72,0:07:39.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We don't know you're there, Dialogue: 0,0:07:39.24,0:07:41.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so it's kind of nice to say "Hello" first. Dialogue: 0,0:07:41.22,0:07:43.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Would you like some help?" Dialogue: 0,0:07:43.36,0:07:46.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But while in Oakland, I've really been struck by Dialogue: 0,0:07:46.41,0:07:49.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how much the city of Oakland changed Dialogue: 0,0:07:49.03,0:07:51.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as I lost my sight. Dialogue: 0,0:07:51.53,0:07:53.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I liked it sighted. It was fine. Dialogue: 0,0:07:53.70,0:07:56.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's a perfectly great city. Dialogue: 0,0:07:56.28,0:07:57.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But once I lost my sight Dialogue: 0,0:07:57.54,0:07:59.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and was walking along Broadway, Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.86,0:08:03.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was blessed every block of the way. Dialogue: 0,0:08:03.07,0:08:04.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Bless you, man." Dialogue: 0,0:08:04.62,0:08:06.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Go for it, brother." Dialogue: 0,0:08:06.89,0:08:08.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"God bless you." Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.64,0:08:10.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I didn't get that sighted. Dialogue: 0,0:08:10.50,0:08:11.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter) Dialogue: 0,0:08:11.83,0:08:18.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And even without sight,\NI don't get that in San Francisco. Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.16,0:08:21.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I know it bothers some of my blind friends, Dialogue: 0,0:08:21.15,0:08:22.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's not just me. Dialogue: 0,0:08:22.74,0:08:24.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Often it's thought that Dialogue: 0,0:08:24.79,0:08:27.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that's an emotion that comes up out of pity. Dialogue: 0,0:08:27.94,0:08:31.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I tend to think that it comes\Nout of our shared humanity, Dialogue: 0,0:08:31.05,0:08:34.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,out of our togetherness, and I think it's pretty cool. Dialogue: 0,0:08:34.16,0:08:36.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, if I'm feeling down, Dialogue: 0,0:08:36.02,0:08:37.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I just go to Broadway in downtown Oakland, Dialogue: 0,0:08:37.93,0:08:40.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I go for a walk, and I feel better like that, Dialogue: 0,0:08:40.59,0:08:43.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in no time at all. Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.86,0:08:45.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But also that it illustrates how Dialogue: 0,0:08:45.89,0:08:47.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,disability and blindness Dialogue: 0,0:08:47.67,0:08:50.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sort of cuts across ethnic, social, Dialogue: 0,0:08:50.39,0:08:53.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,racial, economic lines. Dialogue: 0,0:08:53.12,0:08:56.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Disability is an equal-opportunity provider. Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.96,0:08:59.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Everybody's welcome. Dialogue: 0,0:08:59.40,0:09:01.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, I've heard it said in the disability community Dialogue: 0,0:09:01.96,0:09:04.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that there are really only two types of people: Dialogue: 0,0:09:04.46,0:09:06.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are those with disabilities, Dialogue: 0,0:09:06.22,0:09:10.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and there are those that haven't\Nquite found theirs yet. Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.88,0:09:13.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's a different way of thinking about it, Dialogue: 0,0:09:13.00,0:09:15.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I think it's kind of beautiful, Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.25,0:09:17.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because it is certainly far more inclusive Dialogue: 0,0:09:17.43,0:09:19.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,than the us-versus-them Dialogue: 0,0:09:19.53,0:09:22.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or the abled-versus-the-disabled, Dialogue: 0,0:09:22.10,0:09:24.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's a lot more honest and respectful Dialogue: 0,0:09:24.88,0:09:28.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the fragility of life. Dialogue: 0,0:09:28.18,0:09:30.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So my final takeaway for you is Dialogue: 0,0:09:30.11,0:09:34.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that not only is the city good for the blind, Dialogue: 0,0:09:34.18,0:09:37.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but the city needs us. Dialogue: 0,0:09:37.36,0:09:39.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I'm so sure of that that Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.39,0:09:40.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I want to propose to you today Dialogue: 0,0:09:40.99,0:09:44.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that the blind be taken as\Nthe prototypical city dwellers Dialogue: 0,0:09:44.43,0:09:47.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when imagining new and wonderful cities, Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.71,0:09:49.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and not the people that are thought about Dialogue: 0,0:09:49.58,0:09:51.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,after the mold has already been cast. Dialogue: 0,0:09:51.81,0:09:54.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's too late then. Dialogue: 0,0:09:54.86,0:09:58.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So if you design a city with the blind in mind, Dialogue: 0,0:09:58.04,0:10:02.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you'll have a rich, walkable network of sidewalks Dialogue: 0,0:10:02.63,0:10:04.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with a dense array of options and choices Dialogue: 0,0:10:04.74,0:10:08.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,all available at the street level. Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.18,0:10:10.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you design a city with the blind in mind, Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.50,0:10:13.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sidewalks will be predictable and will be generous. Dialogue: 0,0:10:13.62,0:10:15.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The space between buildings will be well-balanced Dialogue: 0,0:10:15.97,0:10:19.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,between people and cars. Dialogue: 0,0:10:19.41,0:10:23.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, cars, who needs them? Dialogue: 0,0:10:23.47,0:10:26.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you're blind, you don't drive. (Laughter) Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.55,0:10:29.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They don't like it when you drive. (Laughter) Dialogue: 0,0:10:29.92,0:10:32.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you design a city with the blind in mind, Dialogue: 0,0:10:32.62,0:10:35.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you design a city with a robust, Dialogue: 0,0:10:35.27,0:10:38.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,accessible, well-connected mass transit system Dialogue: 0,0:10:38.96,0:10:40.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that connects all parts of the city Dialogue: 0,0:10:40.56,0:10:43.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the region all around. Dialogue: 0,0:10:43.58,0:10:45.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you design a city with the blind in mind, Dialogue: 0,0:10:45.65,0:10:48.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there'll be jobs, lots of jobs. Dialogue: 0,0:10:48.47,0:10:49.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Blind people want to work too. Dialogue: 0,0:10:49.80,0:10:52.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They want to earn a living. Dialogue: 0,0:10:52.24,0:10:54.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, in designing a city for the blind, Dialogue: 0,0:10:54.99,0:10:57.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I hope you start to realize Dialogue: 0,0:10:57.06,0:10:59.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that it actually would be a more inclusive, Dialogue: 0,0:10:59.94,0:11:03.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a more equitable, a more just city for all. Dialogue: 0,0:11:03.54,0:11:05.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And based on my prior sighted experience, Dialogue: 0,0:11:05.76,0:11:07.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it sounds like a pretty cool city, Dialogue: 0,0:11:07.74,0:11:11.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,whether you're blind, whether you have a disability, Dialogue: 0,0:11:11.09,0:11:13.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or you haven't quite found yours yet. Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.57,0:11:16.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So thank you. Dialogue: 0,0:11:16.18,0:11:20.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)