Margaret Barcelo

October 3, 2002

My name is Margaret Barcelo and I am a 36-year-old individual with cerebral palsy.  I have electric scooter which I depend on to get around in the community.  I am a commissioner for the City of Azusa Architectural Barriers, and a self-advocate for the County of Los Angeles, in addition to many other civic organizations. 

I have some concerns regarding the proposed changes to the streets of our nation.  I strongly feel that detectable warning bumps would be safety hazard, especially to people in wheelchairs, scooters, baby carriages, and even to pedestrians.  Due to their uneven surfaces, these bumps can be difficult to navigate over and could seriously injure a person in a wheelchair causing them to flip over or fall into oncoming traffic.  I do not feel it necessary to have this feature on every street corner because of potential hazard. 

In regards to audible signals, I do not think they are necessary on every street corner.  Due to the increased tax burden which would be necessary on every street corner installing this device only the busiest intersections would be sufficient. 

I thought you would appreciate some feedback from the point of view of a person who has a physical disability.   

Sincerely,
Margaret Barcelo