Duane Smith

October 28, 2002

Please do not pass legislation for audible signals for the blind. I have been blind since birth and can navigate the streets without the confusion of audible signals. These signals will cause more problems for the blind and could cause potential accidents involving the blind. I know when it is safe to cross from listening to traffic and knowing the areas I am traveling. I do not want to be forced to travel unfamiliar areas because I am forced to only cross at audible signals. I realize that to the sighted, a blind person traveling alone on the roads is a scary thought, but either with a dog guide or a cane, a blind person can travel almost anywhere he or she wants, safely and with little problems. Please don't add to those problems by bringing in annoying, confusing audible signals. Please, listen to the blind, not to a scared, sighted person.

Thank you for your help.

Duane Smith