Wells B. Jones

October 28, 2002

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to state the Guide Dog Foundation's enthusiastic support of recommendations to make detectable warnings and accessible pedestrian traffic signals far more widely available than they are today.

The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind strives to improve the quality of life of people who are blind or visually impaired, and we support measures that facilitate the independence of this community.

Guide dogs enable blind people to have increased independence and mobility. They work in partnership with their handler. When crossing streets and intersections, the blind person listens for parallel traffic and audibly determines when it is safe to cross the street. The person then directs the dog to proceed forward. In the face of danger, or oncoming traffic, the dog will disobey the command. The team will then wait for the next traffic cycle and repeat the process.

As such, it is the blind person's responsibility to determine when it is safe to cross. However, simply listening to traffic sounds is not as effective and reliable as it once was. Changing technology in traffic lights, quieter cars, and other technological and engineering advances have created the need for blind people to "guess" when it is okay to cross the street. It would be unconscionable not to take advantage of advances that will make these crossings safer for the blind and visually impaired.

I strongly encourage you to support the recommendations of the Public Right of Way Advisory Committee to make detectable warnings and accessible pedestrian signals widely available. This is in the best interest - and safety -- of people who are blind or visually impaired.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Wells B. Jones, CAE, CFRE
Chief Executive Officer