Jacques Pilon recalls a time when it was treacherous to get to and from classes at Mohawk College.
"It used to be that you'd get off the bus and stand at the curb waiting for a break in traffic and then take your chances getting across Elgin Street," Pilon said. "There weren't any audio signals, lights or even a cross walk. I could be waiting there for 10 minutes before I knew it was safe.
"And even then for someone like me, someone with no vision and poor hearing, it was a pretty dangerous thing to do. Elgin is a pretty busy street."
The introduction of hybrid cars, vehicles that are exceptionally quiet and environmentally friendly, has made crossing Elgin Street even more dangerous for Pilon and others with a hearing difficulty.
"There's no way I'd ever do that crossing on my own now," he said.
Fortunately, he doesn't have to and neither does anyone else who might have difficulty crossing Elgin Street to get to classes.
Pilon, a member of the community advisory committee for disability issues, took his concerns about the Elgin Street crossing to the committee a few years ago. And after a little bit of work and after bringing the problem to the attention of city and college officials, significant changes were made.
There is now a bus stop on the main driveway into the campus and signs that mark
the pedestrian crosswalk. Vehicles routinely stop for anyone trying to cross the driveway.
Now buses can come right into the campus, making it easier for a lot of people, not just those with vision or hearing problems.
"It's better for everyone," Pilon said. "It's easier for moms who might be coming here with their young kids and it's easier for seniors.